Lower-Extremity Muscle Activity During Aquatic and Land Treadmill Running at the Same Speeds

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Matthew Silvers ◽  
Eadric Bressel ◽  
D. Clark Dickin ◽  
Garry Killgore ◽  
Dennis G. Dolny
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Swing Phase ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle

Context:Muscle activation during aquatic treadmill (ATM) running has not been examined, despite similar investigations for other modes of aquatic locomotion and increased interest in ATM running.Objectives:The objectives of this study were to compare normalized (percentage of maximal voluntary contraction; %MVC), absolute duration (aDUR), and total (tACT) lower-extremity muscle activity during land treadmill (TM) and ATM running at the same speeds.Design:Exploratory, quasi-experimental, crossover design.Setting:Athletic training facility.Participants:12 healthy recreational runners (age = 25.8 ± 5 y, height = 178.4 ± 8.2 cm, mass = 71.5 ± 11.5 kg, running experience = 8.2 ± 5.3 y) volunteered for participation.Intervention:All participants performed TM and ATM running at 174.4, 201.2, and 228.0 m/min while surface electromyographic data were collected from the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and biceps femoris.Main Outcome Measures:For each muscle, a 2 × 3 repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze the main effects and environment–speed interaction (P ≤ .05) of each dependent variable: %MVC, aDUR, and tACT.Results:Compared with TM, ATM elicited significantly reduced %MVC (−44.0%) but increased aDUR (+213.1%) and tACT (+41.9%) in the vastus medialis, increased %MVC (+48.7%) and aDUR (+128.1%) in the rectus femoris during swing phase, reduced %MVC (−26.9%) and tACT (−40.1%) in the gastrocnemius, increased aDUR (+33.1%) and tACT (+35.7%) in the tibialis anterior, and increased aDUR (+41.3%) and tACT (+29.2%) in the biceps femoris. At faster running speeds, there were significant increases in tibialis anterior %MVC (+8.6−15.2%) and tACT (+12.7−17.0%) and rectus femoris %MVC (12.1−26.6%; swing phase).Conclusion:No significant environment–speed interaction effects suggested that observed muscle-activity differences between ATM and TM were due to environmental variation, ie, buoyancy (presumed to decrease %MVC) and drag forces (presumed to increase aDUR and tACT) in the water.

What Is the Influence of Cambered Running Surface on Lower Extremity Muscle Activity?

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Unfried ◽  
Arnel Aguinaldo ◽  
Daniel Cipriani
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Gluteus Medius ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Road Surface ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Fitness Sport

Running on a road for fitness, sport, or recreation poses unique challenges to the runner, one of which is the camber of the surface. Few studies have examined the effects of camber on running, namely, kinematic studies of the knee and ankle. There is currently no information available regarding muscle response to running on a cambered road surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a cambered road on lower extremity muscle activity, as measured by electromyography in recreational runners. In addition, this study examined a true outdoor road surface, as opposed to a treadmill surface. The mean muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, vastus medialis oblique, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius were studied. Fifteen runners completed multiple running trials on cambered and level surfaces. During the stance phase, mean activities of tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and vastus medialis oblique were greater on the gutter side than the crown side. There were no differences in mean muscle activity during the swing phase. The findings of this study suggest that running on a road camber alters the activity of select lower extremity muscles possibly in response to lower extremity compensations to the cambered condition.

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During a Women's Overhand Lacrosse Shot

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna M. Millard ◽  
John A. Mercer
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Discrete Events ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
One Year

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to describe lower extremity muscle activity during the lacrosse shot. Participants (n=5 females, age 22±2 years, body height 162.6±15.2 cm, body mass 63.7±23.6 kg) were free from injury and had at least one year of lacrosse experience. The lead leg was instrumented with electromyography (EMG) leads to measure muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial gastrocnemius (GA). Participants completed five trials of a warm-up speed shot (Slow) and a game speed shot (Fast). Video analysis was used to identify the discrete events defining specific movement phases. Full-wave rectified data were averaged per muscle per phase (Crank Back Minor, Crank Back Major, Stick Acceleration, Stick Deceleration). Average EMG per muscle was analyzed using a 4 (Phase) x 2 (Speed) ANOVA. BF was greater during Fast vs. Slow for all phases (p<0.05), while TA was not influenced by either Phase or Speed (p>0.05). RF and GA were each influenced by the interaction of Phase and Speed (p<0.05) with GA being greater during Fast vs. Slow shots during all phases and RF greater during Crank Back Minor and Major as well as Stick Deceleration (p<0.05) but only tended to be greater during Stick Acceleration (p=0.076) for Fast vs. Slow. The greater muscle activity (BF, RF, GA) during Fast vs. Slow shots may have been related to a faster approach speed and/or need to create a stiff lower extremity to allow for faster upper extremity movements.

Muscle Activity During Running With Different Body-Weight-Support Mechanisms: Aquatic Environment Versus Body-Weight-Support Treadmill

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Mercer ◽  
Bryon C. Applequist ◽  
Kenji Masumoto
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Body Weight Support ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Positive Pressure ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Weight Support

Background:Body-weight (BW) support during running can be accomplished using deep-water running (DWR; 100% BW support) and a lower-body positive-pressure (LBPP) treadmill.Purpose:To compare lower-extremity muscle activity during DWR and running on an LBPP treadmill at matched stride frequency.Methods:Eight subjects (40 ± 6.5 y, 173 ± 7.2 cm, 66.9 ± 11.7 kg) completed 4 running conditions all at a preferred stride frequency that was determined while running with no support. Two conditions were running on the LBPP treadmill at 60% and 80% of BW, and the other 2 conditions were different DWR styles: high knee (DWR-HK) and cross-country (DWR-CC). Average (AVG) and root-mean-square (RMS) electromyography (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior) were each compared among conditions (repeated-measures analysis of variance).Results:Results for AVG and RMS variables were identical for statistical tests for each muscle. Rectus femoris electromyography during DWR-HK was lower than that of DWR-CC (P < .05) but not different than either 60% BW or 80% BW (P > .05). Biceps femoris electromyography was less during DWR-HK than DWR-CC (P < .05) but greater during DWR-HK than either BW 60% or BW 80% (P < .05). Neither gastrocnemius nor tibialis anterior electromyography differed between conditions (P > .05).Conclusion:Neither the mechanism of BW support nor style of DWR influenced gastrocnemius or tibialis anterior muscle activity during running at the same stride frequency. However, rectus femoris and biceps femoris muscle activity were influenced by not only the mechanism of BW support but also the style of DWR.

Influence of Bicycle Seat Tube Angle and Hand Position on Lower Extremity Kinematics and Neuromuscular Control: Implications for Triathlon Running Performance

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Silder ◽  
Kyle Gleason ◽  
Darryl G. Thelen
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Body Motion ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Hand Position ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle

We investigated how varying seat tube angle (STA) and hand position affect muscle kinematics and activation patterns during cycling in order to better understand how triathlon-specific bike geometries might mitigate the biomechanical challenges associated with the bike-to-run transition. Whole body motion and lower extremity muscle activities were recorded from 14 triathletes during a series of cycling and treadmill running trials. A total of nine cycling trials were conducted in three hand positions (aero, drops, hoods) and at three STAs (73°, 76°, 79°). Participants also ran on a treadmill at 80, 90, and 100% of their 10-km triathlon race pace. Compared with cycling, running necessitated significantly longer peak musculotendon lengths from the uniarticular hip flexors, knee extensors, ankle plantar flexors and the biarticular hamstrings, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles. Running also involved significantly longer periods of active muscle lengthening from the quadriceps and ankle plantar flexors. During cycling, increasing the STA alone had no affect on muscle kinematics but did induce significantly greater rectus femoris activity during the upstroke of the crank cycle. Increasing hip extension by varying the hand position induced an increase in hamstring muscle activity, and moved the operating lengths of the uniarticular hip flexor and extensor muscles slightly closer to those seen during running. These combined changes in muscle kinematics and coordination could potentially contribute to the improved running performances that have been previously observed immediately after cycling on a triathlon-specific bicycle.

scholarly journals Effect of Changes in Cycle Ergometer Settings on Bioelectrical Activity in Selected Muscles of the Lower Limbs

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-234
Author(s):  
Robert Staszkiewicz ◽  
Michał Kawulak ◽  
Leszek Nosiadek ◽  
Jarosław Omorczyk ◽  
Andrzej Nosiadek
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Cycle Ergometer ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Bioelectrical Activity ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Similarities And Differences

AbstractIntroduction. The aim of this study was to measure the duration of biopotentials in selected muscles of the lower limbs, evaluate the time of elevated bioelectrical activity in these muscles, and identify similarities and differences in electrical phenomena that occur in the muscles for various external settings of a cycle ergometer.Material and methods. The study examined 10 healthy people (5 women and 5 men) aged from 20 to 30 years. A cycle ergometer and EMG apparatus were used in the experiment. The bioelectrical activity of six muscles of the lower limbs (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius caput mediale, and gastrocnemius caput laterale) was recorded for four different settings of the cycle ergometer (variable saddle height and method of foot attachment to pedals). The EMG records were presented with reference to the bicycle crankset rotation cycle.Conclusions. The study found that changing the height of the saddle of the cycle ergometer and the use of toe clips in the pedals caused changes in bioelectrical activity in the muscles. The adjustment of saddle height affected the duration of potentials more noticeably than the use of toe clips. Furthermore, only one period of elevated electrical activity in the muscles of the lower limbs was found in the pedalling cycle. The longest time of the presence of action potentials was recorded for the m. gastrocnemius caput laterale, whereas the shortest time was observed in the m. vastus medialis.

Altering muscle activity in the lower extremities by bipedal landing with different drop tasks and shoes

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Changxiao Yu ◽  
Chenhao Yang ◽  
Liqin Deng ◽  
Weijie Fu
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
The Body ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Body Tissues

BACKGROUND: The ability of the lower-extremity muscle activation directly affects the performance and in turn interacts with the loading conditions of the muscle itself. However, systematic information concerning the characteristics of lower-extremity muscle during landings is lacking. In particular, the landing height and shoes are also important factors based on the actual situation, which could further contribute to understanding the neuromuscular activity and how biochemical response of the body tissues to double-leg drop landings. OBJECTIVE: The study was to investigate the effects of landing tasks on the activation of lower-extremity muscles and explore the relationship among movement control, landing heights, shoe cushioning, and muscle activities. METHODS: Twelve male basketball players were recruited to perform drop jump (DJ) and passive landing (PL) from three heights (30, 45, and 60 cm) while wearing highly-cushioned basketball shoes (HC) and less-cushioned control shoes (LC). EMG electrodes were used to record the activities of the target muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and lateral gastrocnemius) during the landing tasks. RESULTS: Pre- and post-activation activity of the lower-extremity muscles significantly decreased during PL compared with those during DJ (p< 0.05). No significant shoe effects on the characteristics of muscle activation and coactivation during DJ movements were observed. However, the participants wearing LC showed significantly higher muscle post-activation (p< 0.05) at the three drop heights during PL compared with those wearing HC. Coactivation of the ankle muscles was higher in LC than in HC during 30-cm PL (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The activation patterns of lower-extremity muscles can be significantly influenced by landing types. Highly-cushioned basketball shoes would help reduce the risk of injuries by appropriately tuning the muscles during the PL.

scholarly journals Lower extremity muscle activation during horizontal and uphill running

1997 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 2073-2079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Sloniger ◽  
Kirk J. Cureton ◽  
Barry M. Prior ◽  
Ellen M. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Peak Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
The Right

Sloniger, Mark A., Kirk J. Cureton, Barry M. Prior, and Ellen M. Evans. Lower extremity muscle activation during horizontal and uphill running. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(6): 2073–2079, 1997.—To provide more comprehensive information on the extent and pattern of muscle activation during running, we determined lower extremity muscle activation by using exercise-induced contrast shifts in magnetic resonance (MR) images during horizontal and uphill high-intensity (115% of peak oxygen uptake) running to exhaustion (2.0–3.9 min) in 12 young women. The mean percentage of muscle volume activated in the right lower extremity was significantly ( P <0.05) greater during uphill (73 ± 7%) than during horizontal (67 ± 8%) running. The percentage of 13 individual muscles or groups activated varied from 41 to 90% during horizontal running and from 44 to 83% during uphill running. During horizontal running, the muscles or groups most activated were the adductors (90 ± 5%), semitendinosus (86 ± 13%), gracilis (76 ± 20%), biceps femoris (76 ± 12%), and semimembranosus (75 ± 12%). During uphill running, the muscles most activated were the adductors (83 ± 8%), biceps femoris (79 ± 7%), gluteal group (79 ± 11%), gastrocnemius (76 ± 15%), and vastus group (75 ± 13%). Compared with horizontal running, uphill running required considerably greater activation of the vastus group (23%) and soleus (14%) and less activation of the rectus femoris (29%), gracilis (18%), and semitendinosus (17%). We conclude that during high-intensity horizontal and uphill running to exhaustion, lasting 2–3 min, muscles of the lower extremity are not maximally activated, suggesting there is a limit to the extent to which additional muscle mass recruitment can be utilized to meet the demand for force and energy. Greater total muscle activation during exhaustive uphill than during horizontal running is achieved through an altered pattern of muscle activation that involves increased use of some muscles and less use of others.

Comparison of Estimated and Measured Muscle Activity During Inclined Walking

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Alexander ◽  
Hermann Schwameder
Keyword(s):  
Trend Analysis ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Musculoskeletal Models ◽  
Downhill Walking

While inclined walking is a frequent daily activity, muscle forces during this activity have rarely been examined. Musculoskeletal models are commonly used to estimate internal forces in healthy populations, but these require a priori validation. The aim of this study was to compare estimated muscle activity using a musculoskeletal model with measured EMG data during inclined walking. Ten healthy male participants walked at different inclinations of 0°, ± 6°, ± 12°, and ± 18° on a ramp equipped with 2 force plates. Kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity of the musculus (m.) biceps femoris, m. rectus femoris, m. vastus lateralis, m. tibialis anterior, and m. gastrocnemius lateralis were recorded. Agreement between estimated and measured muscle activity was determined via correlation coefficients, mean absolute errors, and trend analysis. Correlation coefficients between estimated and measured muscle activity for approximately 69% of the conditions were above 0.7. Mean absolute errors were rather high with only approximately 38% being ≤ 30%. Trend analysis revealed similar estimated and measured muscle activities for all muscles and tasks (uphill and downhill walking), except m. tibialis anterior during uphill walking. This model can be used for further analysis in similar groups of participants.

scholarly journals Neuromuscular Responses of Elite Skaters During Different Roller Figure Skating Jumps

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-32
Author(s):  
Patrícia Dias Pantoja ◽  
André Mello ◽  
Giane Veiga Liedtke ◽  
Ana Carolina Kanitz ◽  
Eduardo Lusa Cadore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Gluteus Maximus ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Figure Skating ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽  
Neuromuscular Activity

AbstractThis study aimed to describe the neuromuscular activity of elite athletes who performed various roller figure skating jumps, to determine whether the muscle activation is greater during jumps with more rotations and in which phase the muscles are more active. This study also aimed to analyze if there is any difference in the muscle activity pattern between female and male skaters. Four elite skaters were evaluated, and each participated in two experimental sessions. During the first session, anthropometric data were collected, and the consent forms were signed. For the second session, neuromuscular data were collected during jumps, which were performed with skates at a rink. The following four roller figure skating jumps were evaluated: single Axel, double Axel, double Mapes and triple Mapes. The neuromuscular activity of the following seven muscles was obtained with an electromyograph which was fixed to the waist of each skater with a strap: biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus. The signal was transmitted wirelessly to a laptop. During the roller figure skating jumps, the lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus, showed more activation during the jumps with more rotations, and the activation mainly occurred during the propulsion and flight phases. Female skaters demonstrated higher muscle activities in tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus during the landing phase of the triple Mapes, when compared to their male counterparts. The results obtained in this study should be considered when planning training programs with specific exercises that closely resemble the roller figure skating jumps. This may be important for the success of elite skaters in competitions.

A Neuromuscular and Metabolic Comparison between Forward and Reverse Pedaling

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eadric Bressel ◽  
Gary D. Heise ◽  
Greg Bachman
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Half Cycle ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Crank Angle

The purpose of this study was to determine how muscle activity and oxygen consumption are influenced by reverse pedaling (RP) compared to forward pedaling (FP). Seventeen physically active males performed FP and RP at an external workrate of 157 W (80 rpm) while EMG data were collected from five muscles: rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius (GN), tibialis anterior (TA), and vastus medialis (VM). Oxygen consumption (V̇O2 L·min-1) data were collected. On-time durations and EMG amplitudes were quantified for each half-cycle (first 180° and second 180° of crank angle). V̇O2 was similar between pedaling conditions while muscles RF and BF exhibited phasic shifts in response to RP with no amplitude change. VM showed an increase and GN displayed a decrease in EMG amplitude from FP to RP. The phasic shifts in muscle activation seen in RP, particularly in RF and BF, may alter the sequence of the knee extensor–hip extensor joint moments during the first half-cycle of pedaling.

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