Range of motion and leg rotation affect electromyography activation levels of the superficial quadriceps muscles during leg extension.

Leg extension (LE) is commonly used to strengthen the quadriceps muscles during training and rehabilitation. This study examined the effects of limb position (POS) and range of motion (ROM) on quadriceps electromyography (EMG) during 8 repetitions (REP) of LE. Twenty-four participants performed 8 LE REP at their 8 repetition maximum with lower limbs medially rotated (TI), laterally rotated (TO), and neutral (NEU). Each REP EMG was averaged over the first, middle, and final 0.524 rad ROM. For vastus medialis oblique (VMO), a REP × ROM interaction was detected (p < 0.02). The middle 0.524 rad produced significantly higher EMG than the initial 0.524 rad for REP 6-8 and the final 0.524 rad produced higher EMG than the initial 0.524 rad for REP 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 (p ≤ 0.05). For rectus femoris (RF), EMG activity increased across REP with TO generating the greatest activity (p < 0.001). For vastus lateralis (VL), EMG increased across REP (p < 0.001) with NEU and TO EMG increasing linearly throughout ROM and TI activity greatest during the middle 0.524 rad. We conclude that to target the VMO, the optimal ROM is the final 1.047 rad regardless of POS, while maximum EMG for the RF is generated using TO regardless of ROM. In contrast, the VL is maximally activated using TI over the first 1.047 rad ROM or in NEU over the final 0.524 rad ROM.

Pilot study comparing changes in postural control after training using a video game balance board program and 2 standard activity-based balance intervention programs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impacts of Tai Chi, a standard balance exercise program, and a video game balance board program on postural control and perceived falls risk. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Independent seniors (N=40; 72.5±8.40) began the training, 27 completed. INTERVENTIONS: Tai Chi, a standard balance exercise program, and a video game balance board program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following were used as measures: Timed Up & Go, One-Leg Stance, functional reach, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, force plate center of pressure (COP) and time to boundary, dynamic posturography (DP), Falls Risk for Older People-Community Setting, and Falls Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen between groups for any outcome measures at baseline, nor were significant time or group × time differences for any field test or questionnaire. No group × time differences were seen for any COP measures; however, significant time differences were seen for total COP, 3 of 4 anterior/posterior displacement and both velocity, and 1 displacement and 1 velocity medial/lateral measure across time for the entire sample. For DP, significant improvements in the overall score (dynamic movement analysis score), and in 2 of the 3 linear and angular measures were seen for the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The video game balance board program, which can be performed at home, was as effective as Tai Chi and the standard balance exercise program in improving postural control and balance dictated by the force plate postural sway and DP measures. This finding may have implications for exercise adherence because the at-home nature of the intervention eliminates many obstacles to exercise training.

The impact of foot position on electromyographical activity of the superficial quadriceps muscles during leg extension.

This study investigated variations in electromyographic (EMG) responses of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) due to foot position during leg extension. Twenty-four men and women (23.67 +/= 4.02 years) performed 8 repetitions at 70% of 8 repetition maximum with their leg medially rotated, laterally rotated, and neutral. Repeated-measures analyses of variance indicated that the highest normalized root mean square (NrmsEMG) for the VM and VL occurred with medial rotation, and the highest NrmsEMG for the RF occurred with lateral rotation. Significant NrmsEMG increases and median power frequency decreases occurred across repetitions regardless of foot position. Therefore, medial rotation produced the greatest muscle activation for the VL and VM, whereas lateral rotation produced the greatest activation in the RF. These findings are applicable to athletes or bodybuilders who are seeking to selectively increase either the size or performance of a specific muscle of the quadriceps group.