Research into the activation levels of the gluteus medius during low bar squat

Coach:
Are you aware of any research studies on the activation levels of the gluteus medius during the performance of the low bar squat? Specifically, any electromyography studies?

From a purely visual perspective, it doesn't look like this muscle group would be very involved in the performance of this movement, certainly not as involved as the gluteus maximus or other muscles in the posterior chain.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Please explain why a sane person would be concerned with this question.

is this a lead in to the Bret Contreras Pubmed article from a few days ago?

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Originally Posted by King of the Jews

ass man or tit man?

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yes, please

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Originally Posted by King of the Jews

ass man or tit man? leg man? foot man? trans man? these are the important questions

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What about a vagitarian kind of man? I, for one, am tired of the discrimination among breasts and butts and legs. #AllBodyPartsMatter!

The research studies I've seen on the gluteus medius suggest that there are a host of musculoskeletal problems associated with weakness in this area, including knee, back and hip pain. If the low bar squat primarily works the gluteus maximus (to the exclusion of the gluteus medius), then my concern would be that an imbalance of these two muscle groups might lead to some of these issues in some lifters, even if they are performing the movement correctly.

I'm trying to understand why a couple of my best lifters complain from time to time about knee "tightness" -- nothing major, just an annoying "tightness". One of them said -- "it feels like my knee could use a chiropractic adjustment." They both know how to squat, and will continue to squat. I can add an exercise or two that specifically addresses the strengthening of the gluteus medius; but I don't want to waste their time with those exercises if the squat itself will correct the problem.

Sorry Coach if this sounded a bit insane.

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Originally Posted by RugbySmartarse

is this a lead in to the Bret Contreras Pubmed article from a few days ago?

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Yes sir, that's what prompted the question.

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Originally Posted by pburkhalter

If the low bar squat primarily works the gluteus maximus (to the exclusion of the gluteus medius), then my concern would be that an imbalance of these two muscle groups might lead to some of these issues in some lifters, even if they are performing the movement correctly.

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Explain how this might occur.

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Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe

Explain how this might occur.

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Maybe he is talking about eccentric/concentric work. I also think that Occam's razor applies on the "knee tightness" thing.

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Originally Posted by quad

Maybe he is talking about eccentric/concentric work. I also think that Occam's razor applies on the "knee tightness" thing.

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Okay, quad. Explain it for him.

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Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe

Okay, quad. Explain it for him.

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Well I have never had "knee tightness", actually I don't really understand what "tightness" means in this case but if I had I wouldn't attribute it to a "lack of gluteus medius involvement in the low bar back squat".