Comparison of Quadriceps Muscle Electrical Activity among Three Types of Knee Extensor Contractions with Different Loads in Young Females

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 PhD in Sport Biomechanics, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

2 PhD in Corrective Exercise, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport sciences, Bu-Ali-Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

3 PhD student in Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, University of Kharazmi, Karaj, Iran

4 MSc in Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali-Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: Selection of contraction type to achieve muscle strength and fitness is very important, especially when the main goal is improvement of certain parts of quadriceps. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to compare the quadriceps muscles activity among three types of knee extensor contractions with different loads in young females.
Materials and Methods: A total of 20 healthy females with the mean age of 24.7±4.5 years, heaight 168.3±9.4 cm, and weight 62.6±7.2 kg, volunteered to participate in the study and performed isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions with loads weighing 30-80% 1RM weight using isokinetic dynamometer. Measurement of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris activity was carried out using 8-channels electromyography. Data analysis was performed running repeated measures analysis of variance and bonferroni tests.
Results: There was no difference observed between dominant and non-dominant lower limb in muscle activity (p>0.05). Quadriceps activity in eccentric contraction was less than concentric and isometric contractions (P=0.000), and vastus medialis and vastus lateralis activities were more than that of rectus femoris (P=0.002). In the lighter loads, vastus lateralis was more active than the other two muscles (P<0.01), but in the higher loads, no significant difference was observed. In lighter loads, quadriceps activity in eccentric contraction was less than those of the other two contractions (P<0.01), but in higher loads, no significant difference was noticed.
Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that quadriceps group has the most activity during concentric contraction. The more interesting result is that by changing the contraction type from eccentric to concentric, recruitment of vastus medialis increases. These results are very important for chronic pathological conditions of the patellofemoral joint since these disorders are often attributed to the weakness of quadriceps, especially its medial part.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume 5, Issue 4
January and February 2017
Pages 65-75

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 October 2015
  • Revise Date: 04 January 2016
  • Accept Date: 05 January 2016
  • First Publish Date: 21 December 2016

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