Changes in muscle coactivation during running: a comparison between two techniques, forefoot vs rearfoot

Introduction: Surface electromyography has been a technique used to describe muscle activity during running. However, there is little literature that analyses the behaviour of muscle coactivation in runners, describing the effect between two techniques associated with the initial contact, such as the use of rearfoot (RF) and forefoot (FF). Material and method: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle coactivation levels developed in the lower limb during two running techniques, FF vs RF. Fourteen amateur runners were evaluated (eight men, six women; age= 23.21 ± 3.58 years, mass= 63.89 ± 8.13 kg, height= 1.68 ± 0.08m). Surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity during both running techniques evaluated on a treadmill, considering the muscle pairs: Rectus femoris- Biceps femoris (RFe-BF), Lateral Gastrocnemius–Tibialis Anterior (LG-TA), and Medial Gastrocnemius - Tibialis Anterior (MG-TA). These were calculated in three windows considering ten running cycles (0-5%, 80-100%, and 0-100%). To compare FF vs RF t-student test for paired data was used. Results: It was observed significant differences in the MG-TA pair (FF= 18.42 ± 11.84% vs RF = 39.05 ± 13.28%, p = 0.0018 during 0-5%, and RFe-BF pair (FF = 42.38 ± 18.11% vs RF = 28.37 ± 17.2%, p = 0.0331) during 80-100% of the race. Conclusion: Our findings show that the behaviour of muscle coactivation is different between FF vs RF techniques if we analyze little windows in the running cycle. This could be associated with an increase in the joint stability between these short intervals, represented in the initial and final regions of the running cycle.

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

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2013-0003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 107-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

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.

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

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.29.4.421 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 421-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2014-0028 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 15-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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.

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Electromyography features during physical and imagined standing up in healthy young adults, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-08-2019-0175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 89-101

Author(s):

Kanokwan Srisupornkornkool ◽

Kanphajee Sornkaew ◽

Kittithat Chatkanjanakool ◽

Chayanit Ampairattana ◽

Pariyanoot Pongtasom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Voluntary Contraction ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Content Type ◽

Standing Up ◽

Imagined Movement

PurposeTo compare the electromyography (EMG) features during physical and imagined standing up in healthy young adults.Design/methodology/approachTwenty-two participants (ages ranged from 20–29 years old) were recruited to participate in this study. Electrodes were attached to the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and the medial gastrocnemius muscles of both sides to monitor the EMG features during physical and imagined standing up. The %maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC), onset and duration were calculated.FindingsThe onset and duration of each muscle of both sides had no statistically significant differences between physical and imagined standing up (p > 0.05). The %MVC of all four muscles during physical standing up was statistically significantly higher than during imagined standing up (p < 0.05) on both sides. Moreover, the tibialis anterior muscle of both sides showed a statistically significant contraction before the other muscles (p < 0.05) during physical and imagined standing up.Originality/valueMuscles can be activated during imagined movement, and the patterns of muscle activity during physical and imagined standing up were similar. Imagined movement may be used in rehabilitation as an alternative or additional technique combined with other techniques to enhance the STS skill.

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Comparison of Estimated and Measured Muscle Activity During Inclined Walking

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.2015-0021 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 150-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

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.

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Neuromuscular Responses of Elite Skaters During Different Roller Figure Skating Jumps

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2014-0029 ◽

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.

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

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2013-0032 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 300-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

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.

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Evaluation of lower limb electromyographic activity when using unstable shoes for the first time: A pilot quasi control trial

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1177/0309364612464812 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 275-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Helen Branthwaite ◽

Nachiappan Chockalingam ◽

Anand Pandyan ◽

Gaurav Khatri

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Heel Strike ◽

Electromyographic Activity ◽

Temporal Parameters ◽

Unstable Shoes ◽

First Time

Background: Unstable shoes, which have recently become popular, claim to provide additional physiological and biomechanical advantages to people who wear them. Alterations in postural stability have been shown when using the shoe after training. However, the immediate effect on muscle activity when walking in unstable shoes for the first time has not been investigated. Objective: To evaluate muscle activity and temporal parameters of gait when wearing Masai Barefoot Technology shoes® for the first time compared to the subject’s own regular trainer shoes. Study Design: A pilot repeated-measures quasi control trial. Method: Electromyographic measurements of lower leg muscles (soleus, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and gluteus medius) were measured in 15 healthy participants using Masai Barefoot Technology shoes and trainer shoes over a 10-m walkway. Muscle activity of the third and sixth steps was used to study the difference in behaviour of the muscles under the two shoe conditions. Temporal parameters were captured with footswitches to highlight heel strike, heel lift and toe off. Paired samples t-test was completed to compare mean muscle activity for Masai Barefoot Technology and trainer shoes. Results: Indicated that the use of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes increased the intensity of the magnitude of muscle activity. While this increase in the activity was not significant across the subjects, there were inter-individual differences in muscle activity. This variance between the participants demonstrates that some subjects do alter muscle behaviour while wearing such shoes. Conclusion: A more rigorous and specific assessment is required when advising patients to purchase the Masai Barefoot Technology shoe. Not all subjects respond positively to using unstable shoes, and the point in time when muscle behaviour can change is variable. Clinical relevance Use of Masai Barefoot Technology shoe in patient management should be monitored closely as the individual muscle changes and the point in time when changes occur vary between subjects, and evaluation of how a subject responds is not yet clear.

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A Neuromuscular and Metabolic Comparison between Forward and Reverse Pedaling

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.14.4.401 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 401-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

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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A Pilot Study of Muscle Force between Normal Shoes and Bionic Shoes during Men Walking and Running Stance Phase Using Opensim

Actuators ◽

10.3390/act10100274 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 274

Author(s):

Huiyu Zhou ◽

Datao Xu ◽

Wenjing Quan ◽

Minjun Liang ◽

Ukadike Chris Ugbolue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Stance Phase ◽

Muscle Force ◽

Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽

Parametric Mapping ◽

Unstable Shoes ◽

Hip Extension

The original idea for bionic shoes (BSs) involves combining the function of unstable foot conditions and the structure of the human plantar. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between the normal shoes (NS) and the BS during the stance phases of walking and running. A total of 15 Chinese males from Ningbo University were recruited for this study (age: 24.3 ± 2.01 years; height: 176.25 ± 7.11 cm, body weight (BW): 75.75 ± 8.35 kg). The participants were asked to perform a walking and running task. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis was used to investigate any differences between NSs and BSs during the walking and running stance phases. The results demonstrated that there were significant differences found (21.23–28.24%, p = 0.040; 84.47–100%, p = 0.017) in hip extension and flexion between the NS and the BS during the walking stance phase. There were no significant differences found in ankle and moment during the running stance phase. Significant differences were found in the rectus femoris (5.29–6.21%; p = 0.047), tibialis anterior (14.37–16.40%; p = 0.038), and medial gastrocnemius (25.55–46.86%; p < 0.001) between the NS and the BS during the walking stance phase. Significant differences were found in rectus femoris (12.83–13.10%, p = 0.049; 15.89–80.19%, p < 0.001), tibialis anterior (15.85–18.31%, p = 0.039; 21.14–24.71%, p = 0.030), medial gastrocnemius (80.70–90.44%; p = 0.007), and lateral gastrocnemius (11.16–27.93%, p < 0.001; 62.20–65.63%, p = 0.032; 77.56–93.45%, p < 0.001) between the NS and the BS during the running stance phase. These findings indicate that BSs are more efficient for muscle control than unstable shoes and maybe suitable for rehabilitation training.

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