As knee flexion increased at the starting position, mean activation of the rectus femoris increased (24.7±21.5 to 35.5±25.4 to 62.1±31.3% MVIC, p<0.001), while the biceps femoris (40.6±17.9 to 34.0±16.4 to 28.1±14.5% MVIC, p=0.003) and erector spinae (73.0±27.6 to 65.9±34.4 to 54.9±32.5% MVIC, p=0.009) activation decreased. Peak activations of the rectus femoris also increased (46.9±33.0 to 60.9±38.7 to 99.3±41.6% MVIC, p<0.001) while decreasing in the erector spinae (118.6±47.1 to 105.9±49.4 to 89.1±40.1% MVIC, p=0.008). The rectus femoris experienced the greatest mean differences of the three muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Coaches and practitioners should consider the muscular goals when adjusting the starting position of a hexagonal bar deadlift as posterior chain recruitment diminished as knee flexion increased. Rectus femoris activation increased with increased knee flexion.
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