Evaluation of Muscle Activation and Ground Reaction Forces in Lunge Exercises with and Without Resistance Band Assistance

The aim of this study was to compare muscle activation and ground reaction forces in four different forward lunge variations performed with and without resistance band assistance. The study included 21 male athletes (age: 21.28 Å} 1.84 years, height: 176.86 Å} 4.00 cm, body weight: 72.59 Å} 9.17 kg, sporting experience: 9.47 Å} 2.48 years, body mass index: 23.18 Å} 2.49 kg/m2). Participants performed the following exercises in sequence: forward lunge on flat ground (0 cm), forward lunge from a height of 15 cm, forward lunge on flat ground (0 cm) + resistance band assistance, and forward lunge from a height of 15 cm + resistance band assistance. During four different forward lunge exercises, muscle activations of the biceps femoris, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis were recorded using surface electromyography, while ground reaction forces were simultaneously measured using a force platform. The forward lunge step exercises were performed with the knee angle at 90Åã, three times with the right foot and three times with the left foot. Significant increases in ground reaction forces were observed, particularly in the 15 cm high forward lunge exercise (p < .05). In contrast, no significant difference was found in muscle activation (p > .05). Although different forward lunge variations did not significantly affect muscle activation, it was determined that forward lunge applications performed from a height of 15 cm significantly increased ground reaction force. In conclusion, muscle activation was only minimally affected by the variations, whereas the mechanical loading pattern was found to be decisive for ground reaction force. For strength and power development, forward lunge variations involving forward falls from height can be recommended; for stabilization and movement control, resistance bandassisted forward lunge step variations can be recommended.  

Cite this article as: Çalışkan, T., & Gülmez, İ. (2026). Evaluation of muscle activation and ground reaction forces in lunge exercises with and without resistance band assistance. Research in Sports Science, 16, 0114, doi: 10.5152/rss.2026.25114.