Jefferson curls show higher activation than Romanian deadlifts in three muscles
A study of 21 resistance-trained adults found greater activation in three muscles during Jefferson curls than Romanian deadlifts at the same absolute load. The authors said larger, longer studies were needed to test whether the acute response led to changes in strength or tolerance.
A Nov. 1 study in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy compared Jefferson curls with Romanian deadlifts in 21 resistance-trained adults.1
At the same absolute submaximal load, Jefferson curls produced greater surface electromyography (sEMG) activation in the upper and lower erector spinae and biceps femoris, while middle erector-spinae and gluteus-maximus activation did not differ significantly.1
The authors said the comparison matched weight, not relative intensity; the Jefferson curl was always performed first, so fatigue and practice effects could not be separated. They called for larger, longer studies to determine whether the acute demands resulted in changes to strength or tolerance, so these findings did not show which lift yielded better long-term outcomes.1
