Investigating the Effect of a Weightlifting Belt on the Electromyographic Activity of Core and Pelvic Muscles in Female Student-Athletes with Lumbar Hyperlordosis during Squat and Deadlift Movements: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors
Saleheh Bagheri 1
Farideh Babakhani 2
Ramin Balouchi 2
1 Department of Sports Pathology and Corrective Movements, School of Physical Education, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Sports Pathology and Corrective Movements, School of Physical Education, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
10.48305/jrrs.2023.42227.1073
Abstract
Introduction: Women exhibit the highest prevalence of spinal abnormalities. Due to musculoskeletal deficits, these anomalies lead to suboptimal lumbosacral posture in this demographic, particularly among female athletes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of using a weightlifting belt on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of selected muscles during squat and deadlift exercises in women with and without lumbar hyperlordosis.
Materials and Methods: Surface EMG was used to record the muscle activity of 34 female athletes (aged 18–25 years) from Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. Participants were divided into two groups: those with lumbar hyperlordosis (n = 17) and a healthy control group (n = 17). EMG data were collected during squat and deadlift exercises, both with and without a belt. Intra-group and inter-group analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon and Mann‒Whitney U tests, respectively.
Results: In the hyperlordosis group, the use of a belt during squat and deadlift movements resulted in significant differences in gluteus maximus (P ≤ 0.001) and external oblique (P = 0.009) activity compared to the no-belt condition. However, no significant differences were observed in erector spinae activity between the belt and no-belt conditions for either movement (P = 0.156 and P = 0.149, respectively). Notably, significant inter-group differences were found in erector spinae activity when using a belt during both the squat (P = 0.034) and deadlift (P = 0.014) exercises.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that using a belt may positively influence joint kinematics and muscle function, while reducing discomfort in both female student-athletes with hyperlordosis and healthy individuals.
Keywords
Weightlifting belt
Lumbar hyperlordosis
Deadlift
Squat
Subjects
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Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 1
April 2023
Pages 181-191