Reciprocal Coactivation Patterns of the Lateral and Medial Quadriceps and Hamstrings during Low- and Moderate-Speed Isokinetic Movement

1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald V. Croce ◽  
John P. Miller ◽  
Robert Confessore ◽  
James C. Vailas

The purpose of this study was to examine coactivation patterns of the lateral and medial quadriceps and the lateral and medial hamstrings during low- and moderate-speed isokinetic movements. Twelve female athletes performed isokinetic knee assessments at 60 and 180°/s. Root mean square electromyographic (rmsEMG) activity and the median frequency of the EMG (mfEMG) were determined by placing bipolar surface electrodes on the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), and medial hamstrings (MH). Results of rmsEMG indicated that the VM showed almost twice the coactivation of the VL (p< .05), and that the BF showed almost four times the coactivation of the MH (p <.05). Finally, differences were noted in the mfEMG (p< .05), with the VM displaying different recruitment patterns at 180°/s as an agonist compared to that as an antagonist. Results indicated that when acting as antagonists, the VM and BE display the greatest EMG patterns during isokinetic knee joint movement.

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano Rocha da Silva ◽  
Danilo de Oliveira Silva ◽  
Deisi Ferrari ◽  
Rúben de Faria Negrão Filho ◽  
Neri Alves ◽  
...  

This study aimed to determine and analyze the neuromuscular fatigue onset by median frequency (MDF) and the root mean square (RMS) behavior of an electromyographic signal (EMG). Eighteen healthy men with no prior knee problems initially performed three maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC). After two days of MVIC test, participants performed a fatiguing protocol in which they performed submaximal knee-extension contractions at 20% and 70% MVIC held to exhaustion. The MDF and RMS values from the EMG signals were recorded from the vastus medialis (VM) and the vastus lateralis (VL). Analysis of the MDF and RMS behavior enabled identification of neuromuscular fatigue onset for VM and VL muscles in 20% and 70% loads. Alterations between the VM and VL in the neuromuscular fatigue onset, at 20% and 70% MVIC, were not significant. These findings suggest that the methodology proposal was capable of indicating minute differences sensible to alterations in the EMG signals, allowing identification of the moment when the MDF and the RMS showed significant changes in behavior. The methodology used was also a viable one for describing and identifying the neuromuscular fatigue onset by means of the analysis of EMG signals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205566831982746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit N Pujari ◽  
Richard D Neilson ◽  
Marco Cardinale

Background Indirect vibration stimulation, i.e., whole body vibration or upper limb vibration, has been investigated increasingly as an exercise intervention for rehabilitation applications. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the effects of graded isometric contractions superimposed on whole body vibration stimulation. Hence, the objective of this study was to quantify and analyse the effects of variations in the vibration parameters and contraction levels on the neuromuscular responses to isometric exercise superimposed on whole body vibration stimulation. Methods In this study, we assessed the ‘neuromuscular effects’ of graded isometric contractions, of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of maximum voluntary contraction, superimposed on whole body vibration stimulation (V) and control (C), i.e., no-vibration in 12 healthy volunteers. Vibration stimuli tested were 30 Hz and 50 Hz frequencies and 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm amplitude. Surface electromyographic activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and biceps femoris were measured during V and C conditions with electromyographic root mean square and electromyographic mean frequency values used to quantify muscle activity and their fatigue levels, respectively. Results Both the prime mover (vastus lateralis) and the antagonist (biceps femoris) displayed significantly higher (P < 0.05) electromyographic activity with the V than the C condition with varying percentage increases in EMG root-mean-square (EMGrms) values ranging from 20% to 200%. For both the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris, the increase in mean EMGrms values depended on the frequency, amplitude and muscle contraction level with 50 Hz–0.5 mm stimulation inducing the largest neuromuscular activity. Conclusions These results show that the isometric contraction superimposed on vibration stimulation leads to higher neuromuscular activity compared to isometric contraction alone in the lower limbs. The combination of the vibration frequency with the amplitude and the muscle tension together grades the final neuromuscular output.


2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Bradbury-Squires ◽  
Jennifer C. Noftall ◽  
Kathleen M. Sullivan ◽  
David G. Behm ◽  
Kevin E. Power ◽  
...  

Context: Roller massagers are used as a recovery and rehabilitative tool to initiate muscle relaxation and improve range of motion (ROM) and muscular performance. However, research demonstrating such effects is lacking. Objective: To determine the effects of applying a roller massager for 20 and 60 seconds on knee-joint ROM and dynamic muscular performance. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: University laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Ten recreationally active men (age = 26.6 ± 5.2 years, height = 175.3 ± 4.3 cm, mass = 84.4 ± 8.8 kg). Intervention(s): Participants performed 3 randomized experimental conditions separated by 24 to 48 hours. In condition 1 (5 repetitions of 20 seconds) and condition 2 (5 repetitions of 60 seconds), they applied a roller massager to the quadriceps muscles. Condition 3 served as a control condition in which participants sat quietly. Main Outcome Measure(s): Visual analog pain scale, electromyography (EMG) of the vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris during roller massage and lunge, and knee-joint ROM. Results: We found no differences in pain between the 20-second and 60-second roller-massager conditions. During 60 seconds of roller massage, pain was 13.5% (5.7 ± 0.70) and 20.6% (6.2 ± 0.70) greater at 40 seconds and 60 seconds, respectively, than at 20 seconds (P &lt; .05). During roller massage, VL and biceps femoris root mean square (RMS) EMG was 8% and 7%, respectively, of RMS EMG recorded during maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Knee-joint ROM was 10% and 16% greater in the 20-second and 60-second roller-massager conditions, respectively, than the control condition (P &lt; .05). Finally, average lunge VL RMS EMG decreased as roller-massage time increased (P &lt; .05). Conclusions: Roller massage was painful and induced muscle activity, but it increased knee-joint ROM and neuromuscular efficiency during a lunge.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (85) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neringa Baranauskienė ◽  
Loreta Stasiulė ◽  
Sandra Raubaitė ◽  
Arvydas Stasiulis

Research  background  and  hypothesis.  Prior  eccentric  or  eccentric-concentric  exercise  induces  long  lasting muscle fatigue and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Moreover, the surface electromyograme sEMG amplitude increases under fatigue conditions. We suppose that prior eccentric – concentric exercise, inducing DOMS, increases EMG amplitude of thigh muscles during constant cycling exercises.Research aim of the study was to assess the residual effect of 100 prior drop jumps (PDJ) on the sEMG of m. vastus lateralis and m. vastus medialis during moderate and heavy intensity cycling exercises. Research methods. On four different days 10 female students performed one increasing and three (control, 45  min and 24 h after 100 drop jumps) moderate and heavy cycling (Ergoline-800, Germany) exercises. The cadence of cycling was 70 rpm. The sEMG of right thigh m. vastus lateralis and m. vastus medialis were continuously recorded during moderate and heavy cycling exercise. Creatine kinasis activity was measured and DOMS was rated 24 h after PDJ. Research results. After 24 h the subjects felt moderate DOMS (5.0 (2.79)) according to 10 point scale. The sEMG root mean square amplitude of m. vastus lateralis significantly increased 24 h after PDJ during moderate, but unaltered during heavy cycling exercise under fatigue conditions (45 min and 24 h after PDJ).Discussion and conclusion. Prior drop jumps seem to have significant residual (within 24 h of recovery) effect on EMG of thigh muscles during moderate cycling exercise in female students.Keywords: delayed onset muscle soreness, constant load, EMG root mean square.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Olson

ABSTRACTBackgroundExternal loading of the ligamentous tissues induces mechanical creep, which modifies neuromuscular response to perturbations. It is not well understood how ligamentous creep affects athletic performance and contributes to modifications of knee biomechanics during functional tasks.Hypothesis/PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the mechanical and neuromuscular responses to single leg drop landing perturbations before and after passive loading of the knee joint.Study DesignDescriptive laboratory studyMethodsMale (n=7) and female (n=14) participants’ (21.3 ± 2.1 yrs, 1.69 ± 0.09 m, 69.3 ± 13.0 kg) right hip, knee, and ankle kinematics were assessed during drop landings performed from a 30 cm height onto a force platform before and after a 10 min creep protocol. Electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), semimembranosus (SM), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. The creep protocol involved fixing the knee joint at 35° during static loading with perpendicular loads of either 200 N (males) or 150 N (females). Maximum, minimum, range of motion (ROM), and angular velocities were assessed for the hip, knee, and ankle joints, while normalized average EMG (NAEMG), average vertical ground reaction forces (aVGRF), and rate of force development (RFD) were assessed at landing. Rate of force development (RFD) was calculated during the landings using ANOVAs. Alpha was set at 0.05.ResultsMaximum hip flexion velocity decreased (p < 0.01). Minimum knee flexion velocity increased (p < 0.02). Minimum knee ad/abduction velocity decreased (p < 0.001). Ankle ROM decreased (p < 0.001). aVGRF decreased (p < 0.02). RFD had a non-significant trend (p = 0.076). NAEMG was significant between muscle groups (p < 0.02).ConclusionDistinct changes in velocity parameters are attributed to the altered mechanical behavior of the knee joint tissues and may contribute to changes in the loading of the leg during landing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 406-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Andrade Paz ◽  
Jason DeFreitas ◽  
Marianna de Freitas Maia ◽  
Jurandir Silva ◽  
Vicente Lima ◽  
...  

Study Design:Crossover design.Context:Excessive valgus and varus force which affected the knee joint during dynamic tasks has been often associated to lower extremity injuries. Strategies to increase the resistance against these asymmetries (eg, the use of a physioball between the knees or elastic bands around the knees) are often applied in rehabilitation and conditioning programs.Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of performing leg press (LP) 45° using a physioball and elastic band over multiple sets with submaximal loads on electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and fatigue indices.Methods:18 trained females volunteered (age: 24.4 ± 2.1 y; height: 168.1 ± 4 cm; body mass: 65.1 ± 4.4 kg) participated in this study. The 10 repetition maximum (RM) loads were determined for the LP. Then, 3 experimental protocols were followed in a randomized crossover design over 3 nonconsecutive days: control protocol—the participants performed 4 LP sets; physioball between knees—4 LP sets were performed with the physioball between the knees; elastic band—4 LP sets were performed with the elastic band involving the knees. Ten repetitions were performed during each set with 70% of 10-RM loads; EMG spectral indices (CRMS and Cf5) was collected from the biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles.Results:Higher levels of CRMS and Cf5 were noted for RF, VL, and VM muscles using the physioball and elastic band when compared with control protocol, respectively. CRMS index of BF muscle was significantly higher using physioball and elastic band protocol versus control condition, respectively.Conclusion:Therefore, both physioball and elastic band can be adopted during LP with the goal to reduce excessive varus and valgus forces, respectively, even performing consecutive sets with submaximal loads. Furthermore, this may be an interesting alternative to increasing quadriceps activation and improving the knee joint stabilization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 7421
Author(s):  
Balázs Sebesi ◽  
Ádám Fésüs ◽  
Mátyás Varga ◽  
Tamás Atlasz ◽  
Kitty Vadász ◽  
...  

(1) In the present investigation, we tested the hypothesis that unilateral countermovement jump performance is associated with knee joint stabilization ability during unilateral landing on unstable surface. (2) Twenty-five male sport students were tested for dynamometric knee extension and flexion, and hip abduction isometric strength. Myolectric activity of vastus lateralis and medialis, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris muscles were measured during unilateral countermovement vertical jump performed on a force plate, and during unilateral landing on unstable surface. (3) Vertical jump impulse negatively correlated with biceps femoris activation at landing. Participants with greater hip abduction force performed greater vertical jump impulse, and activated the biceps femoris less when landing on unstable surface. Furthermore, participants with smaller knee flexion/extension torque ratio increased biceps femoris/vastus medialis activation ratio at landing. (4) We conclude that hip abduction strength is an important contributor to unilateral vertical jump performance. Because biceps femoris is considered the synergist of the anterior cruciate ligament, we also propose that hip abductors are primary frontal plane protectors of the knee joint by reducing knee valgus and stress, allowing for smaller biceps femoris co-activation (secondary protection) at landing on unstable surface.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-83
Author(s):  
Alireza Monajati ◽  
Eneko Larumbe-Zabala ◽  
Mark Goss-Sampson ◽  
Fernando Naclerio

AbstractThe aim of this study was to perform an electromyography comparison of three commonly used lower limb injury prevention exercises: a single-leg squat on a bench (SLSB), a double-leg squat (DLS) and a double-leg squat on a BOSU® balance trainer (DLSB). After determining the maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the hamstring and quadriceps, eight female athletes performed 3 repetitions of each exercise, while electromyography activity of the biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) was monitored. Comparisons between exercises revealed higher activation in BF (descending phase: p = 0.016, d = 1.36; ascending phase: p = 0.046, d = 1.11), ST (descending phase: p = 0.04, d = 1.87; ascending phase: p = 0.04, d = 1.87), VL (ascending phase: p = 0.04, d = 1.17) and VM (descending phase: p = 0.05, d = 1.11; ascending phase: p = 0.021, d = 1.133) muscles for the SLSB compared to the DLSQ. Furthermore, higher muscular activation of the ST (ascending phase: p = 0.01, d = 1.51; descending phase: p = 0.09, d = 0.96) and VM (ascending phase: p = 0.065, d = 1.03; descending phase: p = 0.062, d = 1.05) during the SLSB with respect to the DLSB was observed. In conclusion, the SLSB elicits higher neuromuscular activation in both hamstring and quadriceps muscles compared to the other two analysed exercises. Additionally, the higher muscle activation of both medial muscles (ST and VM) during the SLSB suggests that single leg squatting exercises may enhance lower limb medial to lateral balance, and improve knee stability in the frontal plane.


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