Research article summary (published 13 May 2007):

EMG normalization to study muscle activation in cycling.

Full Abstract

The value of electromyography (EMG) is sensitive to many physiological and non-physiological factors. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the torque-velocity test (T-V) can be used to normalize EMG signals into a framework of biological significance. Peak EMG amplitude of gluteus maximus (GMAX), vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris long head (BF), gastrocnemius medialis (GAS) and soleus (SOL) was calculated for nine subjects during isometric maximal voluntary contractions (IMVC) and torque-velocity bicycling tests (T-V). Then, the reference EMG signals obtained from IMVC and T-V bicycling tests were used to normalize the amplitude of the EMG signals collected for 15 different submaximal pedaling conditions. The results of this study showed that the repeatability of the measurements between IMVC (from 10% to 23%) and T-V (from 8% to 20%) was comparable. The amplitude of the peak EMG of VL was 99+/-43% higher (p<0.001) when measured during T-V. Moreover, the inter-individual variability of the EMG patterns calculated for submaximal cycling exercises differed significantly when using T-V bicycling normalization method (GMAX: 0.33+/-0.16 vs. 1.09+/-0.04, VL: 0.07+/-0.02 vs. 0.64+/-0.14, SOL: 0.07+/-0.03 vs. 1.00+/-0.07, RF: 1.21+/-0.20 vs. 0.92+/-0.13, BF: 1.47+/-0.47 vs. 0.84+/-0.11). It was concluded that T-V bicycling test offers the advantage to be less time and energy-consuming and to be as repeatable as IMVC tests to measure peak EMG amplitude. Furthermore, this normalization method avoids the impact of non-physiological factors on the amplitude of the EMG signals so that it allows quantifying better the activation level of lower limb muscles and the variability of the EMG patterns during submaximal bicycling exercises.

Author information

Author/s: Rouffet, David M (DM); Hautier, Christophe A (CA);

Affiliation: Centre of Research and Innovation on Sport (CRIS) EA 647, University Claude Bernard, Lyon I, 27-29 Boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France. david.rouffet(-atsign-)univ-lyon1.fr

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology (J Electromyogr Kinesiol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Oct; vol 18 (issue 5) : pp 866-78

Dates: Created 2008/09/08; Completed 2009/01/14;

PMID: 17507240, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Algorithms Bicycling - physiology Electromyography - methods Exercise Test Humans Lower Extremity - physiology Male

Male Muscle Contraction - physiology Muscle, Skeletal - physiology Physical Exertion - physiology Reproducibility of Results Sensitivity and Specificity Young Adult

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• Intra-session repeatability of lower limb muscles activation pattern during pedaling. 18 Apr 2007
• Power output of the lower limb during variable inertial loading: a comparison between methods using single and repeated contractions. 24 Mar 2004
• Improving pedal power during semireclined leg cycling. 28 Feb 2004
• Strategies to identify changes in SEMG due to muscle fatigue during cycling. 27 Feb 2007
• Muscular activity during uphill cycling: effect of slope, posture, hand grip position and constrained bicycle lateral sways. 20 Nov 2006
• Heterogeneity of muscle recruitment pattern during pedaling in professional road cyclists: a magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography study. 18 Apr 2004
• Functional roles of the leg muscles when pedaling in the recumbent versus the upright position. 30 Mar 2005
• Differences in pedal forces during recumbent cycling in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy. 20 Oct 2007
• Postexercise increase of free fatty acids. A qualitative indicator for free fatty acid utilisation during exercise? 28 Feb 2004
• Effects of the muscle pump and body posture on cardiovascular responses during recovery from cycle exercise. 30 May 2005

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.