Unveiling the Dynamics: Kinematics and Activation Patterns of Gluteus Maximus in Inclined Treadmill Sprinting

This chapter investigates the complexities of gluteus maximus (GM) muscle strain during inclined treadmill sprinting, investigating the kinematics and muscle activation of the gluteus maximus in 21 male athletes across diverse high-speed sports. Through meticulous three-dimensional videography and electromyographic (EMG) analysis during maximum-effort treadmill sprinting, distinctive patterns of gluteus muscle activation emerge, revealing persistent contractions throughout each minute of the sprinting cycle for both legs. Notably, as repetition increases during 12 min of inclined running, a lateral dominance in gluteus activation unfolds; as repetition increases, a nuanced pattern emerges: left gluteus maximus (L-GM) exhibits heightened activation, rising from 57.91% to 64.62%, while its counterpart, the right gluteus maximus (R-GM), experiences a decrease, reaching a minimal activation of 35.38%. Further exploration uncovers heightened peak eccentric contraction speeds during later repetitions and significant increases in gluteus activation in the nondominant legs, emphasizing the nuanced susceptibility of GM muscles to strain injuries. These findings emphasize the importance of preventing gluteus maximus injuries and provide valuable insights for optimizing athletic training by strengthening the muscles and rehabilitation in muscles for high-speed sports involving inclined or uphill sprinting.