scholarly journals Characterization of kinesiological patterns of the frontal kick, mae-geri, in karate experts and non-karate practitioners

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
António M. VencesBrito ◽  
Marco A. Colaço Branco ◽  
Renato M. Cordeiro Fernandes ◽  
Mário A. Rodrigues Ferreira ◽  
Orlando J. S. M. Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Ballistic Performance ◽  
The Impact

Presently, coaches and researchers need to have a better comprehension of the kinesiological parameters that should be an important tool to support teaching methodologies and to improve skills performance in sports. The aim of this study was to (i) identify the kinematic and neuromuscular control patterns of the front kick (<em>mae-geri</em>) to a fixed target performed by 14 experienced karate practitioners, and (ii) compare it with the execution of 16 participants without any karate experience, allowing the use of those references in the analysis of the training and learning process. Results showed that the kinematic and neuromuscular activity during the kick performance occurs within 600 ms. Muscle activity and kinematic analysis demonstrated a sequence of activation bracing a proximal-to-distal direction, with the muscles presenting two distinct periods of activity (1, 2), where the karateka group has a greater intensity of activation – root mean square (RMS) and electromyography (EMG) peak – in the first period on <em>Rectus Femoris</em> (RF1) and  <em>Vastus Lateralis</em> (VL1) and a lower duration of co-contraction in both periods on <em>Rectus Femoris</em>-<em>Biceps Femoris</em> and <em>Vastus Lateralis</em>-<em>Biceps Femoris</em> (RF-BF; VL-BF). In the skill performance, the hip flexion, the knee extension and the ankle plantar flexion movements were executed with smaller difference in the range of action (ROA) in the karateka group, reflecting different positions of the segments. In conclusion, it was observed a general kinesiological pattern, which was similar in karateka and non-karateka practitioners. However, in the karateka group, the training induces a specialization in the muscle activity reflected in EMG and kinematic data, which leads to a better ballistic performance in the execution of the <em>mae-geri</em> kick, associated with a maximum speed of the distal segments, reached closer to the impact moment, possibly representing more power in the contact.

Alternate muscle activity observed between knee extensor synergists during low-level sustained contractions

2002 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 675-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoki Kouzaki ◽  
Minoru Shinohara ◽  
Kei Masani ◽  
Hiroaki Kanehisa ◽  
Tetsuo Fukunaga
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Integrated Emg

To determine quantitatively the features of alternate muscle activity between knee extensor synergists during low-level prolonged contraction, a surface electromyogram (EMG) was recorded from the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) in 11 subjects during isometric knee extension exercise at 2.5% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 60 min ( experiment 1). Furthermore, to examine the relation between alternate muscle activity and contraction levels, six of the subjects also performed sustained knee extension at 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% of MVC ( experiment 2). Alternate muscle activity among the three muscles was assessed by quantitative analysis on the basis of the rate of integrated EMG sequences. In experiment 1, the number of alternations was significantly higher between RF and either VL or VM than between VL and VM. Moreover, the frequency of alternate muscle activity increased with time. In experiment 2, alternating muscle activity was found during contractions at 2.5 and 5.0% of MVC, although not at 7.5 and 10.0% of MVC, and the number of alternations was higher at 2.5 than at 5.0% of MVC. Thus the findings of the present study demonstrated that alternate muscle activity in the quadriceps muscle 1) appears only between biarticular RF muscle and monoarticular vasti muscles (VL and VM), and its frequency of alternations progressively increases with time, and 2) emerges under sustained contraction with force production levels ≤5.0% of MVC.

The frequency of alternate muscle activity is associated with the attenuation in muscle fatigue

2006 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 715-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoki Kouzaki ◽  
Minoru Shinohara
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Fatigue ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Sustained Contraction ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Before And After

Alternate muscle activity between synergist muscles has been demonstrated during low-level sustained contractions [≤5% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force]. To determine the functional significance of the alternate muscle activity, the association between the frequency of alternate muscle activity during a low-level sustained knee extension and the reduction in knee extension MVC force was studied. Forty-one healthy subjects performed a sustained knee extension at 2.5% MVC force for 1 h. Before and after the sustained knee extension, MVC force was measured. The surface electromyogram was recorded from the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles. The frequency of alternate muscle activity for RF-VL, RF-VM, and VL-VM pairs was determined during the sustained contraction. The frequency of alternate muscle activity ranged from 4 to 11 times/h for RF-VL (7.0 ± 2.0 times/h) and RF-VM (7.0 ± 1.9 times/h) pairs, but it was only 0 to 2 times/h for the VL-VM pair (0.5 ± 0.7 times/h). MVC force after the sustained contraction decreased by 14% ( P < 0.01) from 573.6 ± 145.2 N to 483.3 ± 130.5 N. The amount of reduction in MVC force was negatively correlated with the frequency of alternate muscle activity for the RF-VL and RF-VM pairs ( P < 0.001 and r = 0.65 for both) but not for the VL-VM pair. The results demonstrate that subjects with more frequent alternate muscle activity experience less muscle fatigue. We conclude that the alternate muscle activity between synergist muscles attenuates muscle fatigue.

scholarly journals Coordination amongst quadriceps muscles suggests neural regulation of internal joint stresses, not simplification of task performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (14) ◽  
pp. 8135-8142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano Alessandro ◽  
Filipe O. Barroso ◽  
Adarsh Prashara ◽  
David P. Tentler ◽  
Hsin-Yun Yeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
High Positive Correlation ◽  
Internal Joint ◽  
Task Variables

Many studies have demonstrated covariation between muscle activations during behavior, suggesting that muscles are not controlled independently. According to one common proposal, this covariation reflects simplification of task performance by the nervous system so that muscles with similar contributions to task variables are controlled together. Alternatively, this covariation might reflect regulation of low-level aspects of movements that are common across tasks, such as stresses within joints. We examined these issues by analyzing covariation patterns in quadriceps muscle activity during locomotion in rats. The three monoarticular quadriceps muscles (vastus medialis [VM], vastus lateralis [VL], and vastus intermedius [VI]) produce knee extension and so have identical contributions to task performance; the biarticular rectus femoris (RF) produces an additional hip flexion. Consistent with the proposal that muscle covariation is related to similarity of muscle actions on task variables, we found that the covariation between VM and VL was stronger than their covariations with RF. However, covariation between VM and VL was also stronger than their covariations with VI. Since all vastii have identical actions on task variables, this finding suggests that covariation between muscle activity is not solely driven by simplification of overt task performance. Instead, the preferentially strong covariation between VM and VL is consistent with the control of internal joint stresses: Since VM and VL produce opposing mediolateral forces on the patella, the high positive correlation between their activation minimizes the net mediolateral patellar force. These results provide important insights into the interpretation of muscle covariations and their role in movement control.

Electromyographic and Safety Comparisons of Common Lower Limb Rehabilitation Exercises for People With Hemophilia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquín Calatayud ◽  
Sofía Pérez-Alenda ◽  
Juan J Carrasco ◽  
Adrián Escriche-Escuder ◽  
Carlos Cruz-Montecinos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
External Resistance ◽  
Elastic Resistance ◽  
Ankle Plantar Flexion ◽  
Gastrocnemius Lateralis

Abstract Background Ankles and knees are commonly affected in people with hemophilia and thus are targets for prevention or rehabilitation. However, to our knowledge, no studies have evaluated muscle activity and safety during exercises targeting the lower limbs in people with hemophilia; this lack of information hinders clinical decision-making. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the tolerability of, safety of, and muscle activity levels obtained with external resistance (elastic or machine)–based and non–external resistance–based lower limb exercises in people with hemophilia. Design This was a cross-sectional study. Methods Eleven people who had severe hemophilia and were undergoing prophylactic treatment participated. In a single experimental session, participants performed knee extension and ankle plantar flexion during 3 exercise conditions in random order: elastic band–based resistance (elastic resistance), machine-based resistance (machine resistance), and no external resistance. Exercise intensities for the 2 external resistance–based conditions were matched for perceived exertion. Muscle activity was determined using surface electromyography (EMG) for the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis, and tibialis anterior muscles. Participants were asked to rate exercise tolerability according to a scale ranging from “very well tolerated” to “not tolerated” and to report possible adverse effects 24 and 48 hours after the session. Results No adverse effects were reported, and exercise tolerability was generally high. In the knee extension exercise, the rectus femoris normalized EMG values during the elastic resistance and machine resistance conditions were similar; 29% to 30% higher activity was obtained during these conditions than during the non–external resistance condition. In the ankle plantar flexion exercise, the gastrocnemius lateralis normalized EMG value was 34% higher during the machine resistance condition than without external resistance, and the normalized EMG values during the elastic resistance and other conditions were similar. Limitations The small sample size and single training session were the primary limitations of this study. Conclusions Exercises performed both with elastic bands and with machines at moderate intensity are safe, feasible, and efficient in people with severe hemophilia, providing comparable activity levels in the agonist muscles.

scholarly journals Leg Muscle Activity and Perception of Effort before and after Four Short Sessions of Submaximal Eccentric Cycling

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7702
Author(s):  
Pierre Clos ◽  
Romuald Lepers
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Peak Power Output ◽  
Leg Muscles ◽  
Perception Of Effort ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Power Outputs

Background: This study tested muscle activity (EMG) and perception of effort in eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) cycling before and after four sessions of both. Methods: Twelve volunteers naïve to ECC cycling attended the laboratory six times. On day 1, they performed a CON cycling peak power output (PPO) test. They then carried-out four sessions comprising two sets of 1 to 1.5-min cycling bouts at 5 intensities (30, 45, 60, 75, and 90% PPO) in ECC and CON cycling. On day 2 and day 6 (two weeks apart), EMG root mean square of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and soleus (SOL) muscles, was averaged from 15 to 30 s within each 1-min bout and perception of effort was asked after 45 s. Results: Before the four cycling sessions, while VL EMG was lower in ECC than CON cycling, most variables were not different. Afterwards, ECC cycling exhibited lower RF EMG at 75 and 90% PPO (all p < 0.02), lower VL and BF EMG at all exercise intensities (all p < 0.02), and inferior SOL EMG (all p < 0.04) except at 45% PPO (p = 0.07). Perception of effort was lower in ECC cycling at all exercise intensities (all p < 0.03) but 60% PPO (p = 0.11). Conclusions: After four short sessions of ECC cycling, the activity of four leg muscles and perception of effort became lower in ECC than in CON cycling at most of five power outputs, while they were similar before.

scholarly journals Effects of Knee Injury Length on Jump Inside Kick Performances of Wushu Player

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 1166
Author(s):  
Jun-Youl Cha ◽  
Ha-Sung Lee ◽  
Sihwa Park ◽  
Yong-Seok Jee
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Kinetic Measurements

Background and Objectives: When performing the jump inside kick in Wushu, it is important to understand the rotation technique while in mid-air. This is because the score varies according to the mid-air rotation, and when landing after the mid-air rotation, it causes considerable injury to the knee. This study aimed to compare the differences in kinematic and kinetic variables between experienced and less experienced knee injuries in the Wushu players who perform 360°, 540°, and 720° jump inside kicks in self-taolu. Materials and Methods: The participants’ mean (SD) age was 26.12 (2.84) years old. All of them had suffered knee injuries and were all recovering and returning to training. The group was classified into a group with less than 20 months of injury experience (LESS IG, n = 6) and a group with more than 20 months of injury experience (MORE IG, n = 6). For kinematic measurements, jump inside kicks at three rotations were assessed by using high-speed cameras. For kinetic measurements, the contraction time and maximal displacement of tensiomyography were assessed in the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, and tibialis anterior. The peak torque, work per repetition, fatigue index, and total work of isokinetic moments were assessed using knee extension/flexion, ankle inversion/eversion, and ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion tests. Results: Although there was no difference at the low difficulty level (360°), there were significant differences at the higher difficulty levels (540° and 720°) between the LESS IG and the MORE IG. For distance and time, the LESS IG had a shorter jump distance, but a faster rotation time compared to those in the MORE IG. Due to the characteristics of the jump inside kick’s rotation to the left, the static and dynamic muscle contractility properties were mainly found to be higher in the left lower extremity than in the right lower extremity, and higher in the LESS IG than in the MORE IG. In addition, this study observed that the ankle plantarflexor in the LESS IG was significantly higher than that in the MORE IG. Conclusion: To become a world-class self-taolu athlete while avoiding knee injuries, it is necessary to develop the static and dynamic myofunctions of the lower extremities required for jumping. Moreover, it is considered desirable to train by focusing on the vertical height and the amount of rotation during jumping.

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.

Factors contributing to lower metabolic demand of eccentric compared with concentric cycling

2017 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 884-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Peñailillo ◽  
Anthony J. Blazevich ◽  
Kazunori Nosaka
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Oxygenation Index ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Metabolic Demand ◽  
Length Changes

This study compared muscle-tendon behavior, muscle oxygenation, and muscle activity between eccentric and concentric cycling exercise at the same work output to investigate why metabolic demand is lower during eccentric cycling than with concentric cycling. Eleven untrained men (27.1 ± 7.0 y) performed concentric cycling (CONC) and eccentric cycling (ECC) for 10 min (60 rpm) at 65% of the maximal concentric cycling power output (191 ± 45 W) 4 wk apart. During cycling, oxygen consumption (V̇o2), heart rate (HR), vastus lateralis (VL) tissue total hemoglobin (tHb), and oxygenation index (TOI) were recorded, and muscle-tendon behavior was assessed using ultrasonography. The surface electromyogram (EMG) was recorded from VL, vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles, and cycling torque and knee joint angle during each revolution were also recorded. Average V̇o2 (−65 ± 7%) and HR (−35 ± 9%) were lower and average TOI was greater (16 ± 1%) during ECC than CONC, but tHb was similar between bouts. Positive and negative cycling peak crank torques were greater (32 ± 21 and 48 ± 24%, respectively) during ECC than CONC, but muscle-tendon unit and fascicle and tendinous tissue length changes during pedal revolutions were similar between CONC and ECC. VL, VM, RF, and BF peak EMG amplitudes were smaller (24 ± 15, 22 ± 18, 16 ± 17, and 18 ± 9%, respectively) during ECC than CONC. These results suggest that the lower metabolic cost of eccentric compared with concentric cycling was due mainly to a lower level of muscle activation per torque output. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that lower oxygen consumption of eccentric compared with concentric cycling at the same workload is explained by lower muscle activity of agonist and antagonist muscles during eccentric compared with during concentric cycling.

scholarly journals Differences of Thigh Muscle Activation During Various Squat Exercise on Stable and Unstable Surfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-395
Author(s):  
Soojin Kim ◽  
Joo-Hyun Lee ◽  
Jihye Heo ◽  
Eunwook Chang
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Thigh Muscle ◽  
Unstable Surface ◽  
Co Activation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare thigh muscle activities and muscle co-activation when performing squats, wall squats, and Spanish squats on stable and unstable ground.METHODS: Twenty-two healthy male subjects (age: 22.50±2.70 years, height: 178.72±6.04 cm, mass: 76.50±6.80 kg, body mass index: 24.00±2.10 kg/m2, and Godin activity questionnaire: 56.30±24.10) voluntarily participated in the study. All of the participants performed three different squat exercises on the floor and the BOSU ball with an electromyograph attached to each participant’s quadriceps (rectus femoris, RF; vastus lateralis, VL; and vastus medialis, VM) and hamstrings (biceps femoris, BF; semitendinosus, ST; and semimembranosus, SM). Repeated measures of analysis of variance were utilized to compare muscle activity during the three squats exercises by floor type.RESULTS: RF (p<.001, η2=.689), VL (p<.001, η2=.622), and VM (p=.002, η2=.375) showed significant differences between exercises. Spanish squats yielded greater BF activity than did wall squats (p=.018, η2=.269). ST yielded greater muscle activity with the BOSU ball than on the floor (p=.018, η2=.269). Finally, there was a significant ground exercise interaction effect on the co-activation, showing greater muscle co-activation with Spanish squats on the BOSU ball compared to squats, squats on the BOSU ball, and wall squat on the BOSU ball.CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that Spanish squats could be an effective exercise option for the facilitation of RF, VL, VM, and BF muscle activation. In particular, performing Spanish squats on an unstable surface could be useful for patients who need to improve their quadriceps muscle activation.

scholarly journals Electromyographic Comparison of Five Lower-Limb Muscles between Single- and Multi-Joint Exercises among Trained Men

2021 ◽  
pp. 56-61
Author(s):  
Nicolay Stien ◽  
Atle Hole Saeterbakken ◽  
Vidar Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Gluteus Maximus ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Leg Press ◽  
Emg Amplitude

Resistance-training exercises can be classified as either single- or multi-joint exercises and differences in surface electromyography (EMG) amplitude between the two training methods may identify which muscles can benefit from either training modality. This study aimed to compare the surface EMG amplitude of five hip- and knee extensors during one multi-joint (leg press) and two single-joint exercises (knee extension and kickback). Fifteen resistance-trained men completed one familiarization session to determine their unilateral six repetitions maximum (6RM) in the three exercises. During the following experimental session, EMG amplitudes of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus and biceps femoris of the left leg were measured while performing three repetitions on their respective 6RM loads. The multi-joint exercise leg press produced higher EMG amplitude of the vastus lateralis (ES = 0.92, p = 0.003) than the single-joint exercise knee extension, whereas the rectus femoris demonstrated higher EMG amplitude during the knee extension (ES = 0.93, p = 0.005). The biceps femoris EMG amplitude was higher during the single-joint exercise kickback compared to the leg press (ES = 2.27, p < 0.001), while no significant differences in gluteus maximus (ES = 0.08, p = 0.898) or vastus medialis (ES = 0.056, p = 0.025 were observed between exercises. The difference in EMG amplitude between single- and multi-joint exercises appears to vary depending on the specific exercises and the muscle groups tested. Leg press is a viable and time-efficient option for targeting several hip- and knee extensors during resistance training of the lower limbs, but the single-joint exercises may be preferable for targeting the rectus femoris and biceps femoris.

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