Prior to the dynamic exercises described above, maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC) were performed, according to standardized procedures
during 1) hip adduction (lying flat on the back and pressing the knees against a solid ball), 2) hip abduction (lying flat on the back with a 10 bilateral hip
abduction and pressing the knees outwards against a rigid band) 3) static knee extension and 4) flexion maneuvers (positioned in a Biodex dynamometer:
knee angle: 70 and hip angle: 110), 5) hip extension (lying flat on the stomach with the knee flexed (90) and pressing the foot upwards against the instructors hands), 6) trunk extension and 7) trunk flexion (in standing posture and pelvis fixated the trunk was extended against a rigid band) to induce a maximal EMG response in the tested muscles.