Effects of different lower limb strengthening protocols on muscle activity, strength and power in sedentary and physically inactive subjects: a systematic review

• Published in: Nutrición hospitalaria : organo oficial de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral Vol. 41; no. 1; p. 202
• Main Authors: Torres-Banduc, Maximiliano, Chirosa-Ríos, Luis, Chirosa-Ríos, Ignacio J, Jerez Mayorga, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain 15-02-2024
• Subjects: Humans; Lower Extremity; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscles; Resistance Training - methods; Sedentary Behavior; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Entrenamiento de resistencia. Ejercicio pliométrico. Extremidad inferior. Músculo. Comportamiento sedentario
• ISSN: 0212-1611; 1699-5198; 1699-5198
• DOI: 10.20960/nh.04551

The purpose of this systematic review was: a) to determine the quality of evidence from studies assessing the effects of different lower limb strengthening protocols on muscle activity, strength, and power in sedentary and/or physically inactive subjects; and b) to determine the effectiveness of lower extremity strengthening protocols on muscle activity, strength, and power in sedentary and/or physically inactive subjects. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements were followed using keywords associated with strength training, lower limb, sedentary, and physical inactivity. Four databases were used: Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. A total of 164 articles were retrieved, six included in this review. Four studies were classified as fair methodological quality, and two were considered of good methodological quality. Due to the heterogeneity in methodological aspects and the limited number of articles including the variables under study, it was not possible to establish a measure of effectiveness of lower limb strengthening protocols on muscle activity, strength, or power. In conclusion, strength training in the lower limb seems to improve the levels of strength, power, and muscular activity in sedentary subjects. However, due to the limited number of articles, methodological variability, and training methods used, it is necessary to conduct new studies that control these variables.