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Motor Unit Stimulation

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When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise

Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise

Published on: August 25, 2022

Muscle Activation Differs Between Partial and Full Back Squat Exercise With External Load Equated.

Josinaldo J da Silva¹, Brad J Schoenfeld, Priscyla N Marchetti

¹1Department of Human Movement Sciences, Graduate Program in Science of Human Movement, College of Health Science (FACIS), Methodist University of Piracicaba, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Department of Health Sciences, Program of Exercise Science, CUNY Lehman College, Bronx, New York; and 3Laboratory of Kinesiology, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

|May 25, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The partial back squat increases muscle activation in the gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and soleus (SL) compared to the full back squat. This suggests partial squats maximize activation of prime movers and stabilizers.

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Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations

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Published on: May 1, 2018

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Exercise Physiology
Sports Science

Background:

Range of motion during squats influences exercise load and muscle activation.
Understanding how different squat depths affect muscle engagement is crucial for training optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare muscle activation between partial and full back squats.
To investigate the effect of relative load equalization on muscle activation in different squat ranges of motion.

Main Methods:

Fifteen healthy, resistance-trained men performed partial and full back squats at their 10-repetition maximum (10RM).
Surface electromyography measured muscle activation of key lower body and trunk muscles.
A randomized, counterbalanced design was employed.

Main Results:

The partial back squat demonstrated significantly higher muscle activation for gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and soleus (SL) compared to the full back squat.
No significant difference in rating of perceived exertion was found between the two squat variations at 10RM.

Conclusions:

The range of motion in back squats significantly alters muscle activation patterns.
Partial back squats, when load is equated, appear to maximize muscle activation of the gluteus maximus and associated stabilizers like the biceps femoris and soleus.