The lunge exercise is being often prescribed by physical therapists and athletic trainers as a rehabilitation regiment for quadriceps strengthening. In this study, a biomechanical analysis was conducted in order to assess and quantify thisclosed-chain-kinetic exercise. When the distance between the toe of the rear leg and the heel of the front leg (lunging distance) was maximum, a net flexion moment developed at the front knee when it was in an extended position. This moment was reversedto a net extension moment as the front knee became flexed. Meanwhile, significant EMG signals were obtained from the hamstrings of the front leg as it was bent from the extended to the flexed position. These data suggest that during a maximum lunge,quadriceps and hamstring muscles' co-contractions occur in the front leg when it is in the flexed position.
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