Comparison of Muscle Activation and Range of Motion between the Traditional and Landmine Romanian Deadlift

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare levels of trunk, upper- and lower-body muscle activation, and trunk and hip range of motion between the traditional (TRDL) and landmine Romanian deadlift (LRDL). Methods: Nine male and seven female participants (age: 23.2 ± 5.3 yrs; height: 171.7 ± 8.8 cm; weight: 78.7 ± 17.5 kg) with a minimum of six months resistance training experience volunteered and completed the study. Muscle activation and trunk and hip range of motion were time synchronized during the RDL exercises. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) using electromyography (EMG) was assessed for each muscle group (middle trapezius, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and biceps femoris) for data normalization. The subjects completed three repetitions at an 8RM load for each RDL. Electromyography and inertial measurement unit measures were analyzed using the SPM 1d Version 0.4 for 1-dimensional Statistical Parametric Mapping package for Matlab. Paired t-tests were used to compare the TRDL and LRDL measures during the concentric and eccentric phases with the level of significance set a priori at p <0.05. Results: No significant EMG differences were found in all analyzed muscle groups during the eccentric and concentric phases. Hip and lumbar flexion were also not significantly different between the exercises. Conclusions: Using a similar relative intensity, the TRDL and LRDL produce similar levels of activation in the trunk, upper-body, and lower-body muscle groups. The amount of posterior shifting of the center of mass is similar between the exercises indicated by the similar range of hip and trunk motion. Practical Applications: The data indicate that both RDL exercises can be used interchangeably with no difference in muscle activation or hip and lumbar range of motion.