The purpose of this study was to determine if forward lateral retro lateral incline (FLRL) exercises on an inclined treadmill are more effective at activating and fatiguing the rectus femoris (RF), rectus abdominis (ABS), gluteus maximus (GMA), gluteus medius (GME), hamstrings (HAM), and gastrocnemius (GA) than current standard rehab exercises used for strengthening the core, hip complex and calf muscles, therefore having the potential to better strengthen and train these muscles, and potentially reduce anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Twenty participants (11 males and 9 females) volunteered to be in the study. The mean age of the participants was 21.65 ± 2.62 years, and the mean weight 158.6 ± 31.291bs. The participants were tested using surface electromyography (sEMG) to look at activation of the selected muscles, activation levels compared to maximum voluntary contractions (MVC), and fatigue levels while performing the FLRL exercise compared to rehab exercises (a prone bridge, side bridge, lunge, and step up). All exercises were completed on the same day. The results showed significant differences (p<.05) between the FLRL exercise and the rehab exercises. The FLRL produced higher means of amplitude, greater potential to create hypertrophy by reaching amplitudes at 40% of MVC or greater, and greater amounts of fatigue in the RF, GMA, GME, Hi\M, and GA. The FLRL exercise produced greater amounts of fatigue in the ABS. The FLRL exercise has potential to be an exercise used in the rehabilitation setting of a knee injury and preseason training to prevent injury due to its ability to activate and fatigue these muscles of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex to levels that can produce strength and hypertrophy. The FLRL exercise combined with other exercises used in a training or rehab setting can potentially lead to performance gains, reduced chance of injury, and accelerated recovery.
