Relationships Between Running Economy and Temporal EMG Characteristics of Bi-Articular Leg Muscles

Relationships between running economy (RE; submaximal VO(2) for a given running speed) and the temporal EMG characteristics of bi-articular leg muscles were quantified in a group of well-trained runners. Nine subjects completed three test sessions: a determination of maximal aerobic demand (VO(2)max...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of sports medicine 1996-02, Vol.17 (2), p.128-133
Main Authors: Heise, C. D., Morgan, D. W., Hough, H., Craib, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Electromyography
Exercise Test
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Leg - physiology
Male
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Oxygen Consumption
Physiology and Biochemistry
Running - physiology
Statistics, Nonparametric
Striated muscle. Tendons
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:Relationships between running economy (RE; submaximal VO(2) for a given running speed) and the temporal EMG characteristics of bi-articular leg muscles were quantified in a group of well-trained runners. Nine subjects completed three test sessions: a determination of maximal aerobic demand (VO(2)max); an accommodation session at the experimental speed of 4.13 m.s(-1) and a session during which EMG and RE data were collected simultaneously at the experimental speed of 4.13 m.s(-1) Measures of muscle onset, on-time durations, and on-time coactivation durations were calculated from the following muscles: rectus femoris, medial hamstrings, lateral hamstrings, and gastrocnemius. Nonparametric correlations between RE and EMG characteristics displayed both positive and negative relationships and exhibited a wide range of values. Two EMG measures were significantly correlated (r > 0.67) with RE. Earlier onset of rectus femoris during swing phase and a shorter duration of hamstring - gastrocnemius coactivation during swing were associated with more economical runners. Although not statistically significant, correlation coefficients calculated for measures of coactivation during stance and RE ranged from -0.42 to -0.65. This trend indicates that individuals who exhibited a greater amount of coactivation between bi-articular muscles during the stance phase of the running cycle tended to be more economical. These relationships suggest different activation patterns in bi-articular muscles between economical and uneconomical runners.
ISSN:0172-4622
1439-3964
DOI:10.1055/s-2007-972820