An Examination of Muscle Activation and Power Characteristics While Performing the Deadlift Exercise With Straight and Hexagonal Barbells

doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001352

Paper

An Examination of Muscle Activation and Power Characteristics While Performing the Deadlift Exercise With Straight and Hexagonal Barbells

Published May 1, 2016 · Kevin D. Camara, J. Coburn, Dustin Dunnick

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Q1 SJR score

11

Citations

2

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

Abstract Camara, KD, Coburn, JW, Dunnick, DD, Brown, LE, Galpin, AJ, and Costa, PB. An examination of muscle activation and power characteristics while performing the deadlift exercise with straight and hexagonal barbells. J Strength Cond Res 30(5): 1183–1188, 2016—The deadlift exercise is commonly performed to develop strength and power, and to train the lower-body and erector spinae muscle groups. However, little is known about the acute training effects of a hexagonal barbell vs. a straight barbell when performing deadlifts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the hexagonal barbell in comparison with the straight barbell by analyzing electromyography (EMG) from the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and erector spinae, as well as peak force, peak power, and peak velocity using a force plate. Twenty men with deadlifting experience volunteered to participate in the study. All participants completed a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test with each barbell on 2 separate occasions. Three repetitions at 65 and 85% 1RM were performed with each barbell on a third visit. The results revealed that there was no significant difference for 1RM values between the straight and hexagonal barbells (mean ± SD in kg = 181.4 ± 27.3 vs. 181.1 ± 27.6, respectively) (p > 0.05). Significantly greater normalized EMG values were found from the vastus lateralis for both the concentric (1.199 ± 0.22) and eccentric (0.879 ± 0.31) phases of the hexagonal-barbell deadlift than those of the straight-barbell deadlift (0.968 ± 0.22 and 0.559 ± 1.26), whereas the straight-barbell deadlift led to significantly greater EMG values from the bicep femoris during the concentric phase (0.835 ± 0.19) and the erector spinae (0.753 ± 0.28) during the eccentric phase than the corresponding values for the hexagonal-barbell deadlift (0.723 ± 0.20 and 0.614 ± 0.21) (p ⩽ 0.05). In addition, the hexagonal-barbell deadlift demonstrated significantly greater peak force (2,553.20 ± 371.52 N), peak power (1,871.15 ± 451.61 W), and peak velocity (0.805 ± 0.165) values than those of the straight-barbell deadlift (2,509.90 ± 364.95 N, 1,639.70 ± 361.94 W, and 0.725 ± 0.138 m·s−1, respectively) (p ⩽ 0.05). These results suggest that the barbells led to different patterns of muscle activation and that the hexagonal barbell may be more effective at developing maximal force, power, and velocity.

Non-RCT

Study Snapshot

Hexagonal barbells show greater peak force, power, and velocity than straight barbells in the deadlift exercise, with greater muscle activation in the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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Paper

An Examination of Muscle Activation and Power Characteristics While Performing the Deadlift Exercise With Straight and Hexagonal Barbells

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References

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The lying leg curl (LLC) significantly activates the lower lateral and lower medial hamstrings compared to the stiff-legged deadlift (SLDL), suggesting regional targeting through exercise selection.

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Strongman competitors incorporate a variety of strength and conditioning practices focused on muscular size, strength, and power development, with the farmers walk, log press, and stones being the most commonly performed exercises.

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The hexagonal barbell deadlift (HBD) is a more effective exercise for powerlifters than the straight barbell deadlift (SBD), with greater peak force, velocity, and power values at submaximal loads.

Citations

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Wearable visual biofeedback (WVBF) can reduce vertical ground reaction force asymmetry during deadlifting and squatting, potentially improving biomechanical risk factors for injury.

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The BIOFIT-LP outdoor fitness equipment with a selectorized system achieves similar electromyographic activity to traditional seated leg press in trained young men.

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Greater strength relative to body mass is associated with higher physical performance in US Army male and female soldiers.

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Men perform better in body drags, with strength and power training being crucial for law enforcement recruits.

A Biomechanical Comparison of the Back Squat and Hexagonal Barbell Deadlift

The hexagonal barbell deadlift (HBD) is a more effective exercise for achieving balanced moment arm length at hip and knee joints compared to the back squat (BS), which is more hip-dominant.