Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 7, Issue 2 , Pages 87-92, May 2006

The effect of limb position, exercise mode and contraction type on overall activity of VMO and VL

  • Lee Herrington

      Affiliations

    • Directorate of Sport, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
    • Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Directorate of Sport, Allerton Annexe, University of Salford, Manchester M6 6PU, UK. Tel.: +441612952326.
    • ,
  • Mark Blacker

      Affiliations

    • Directorate of Sport, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
    • ,
  • Narcis Enjuanes

      Affiliations

    • Directorate of Sport, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
    • ,
  • Paul Smith

      Affiliations

    • Directorate of Sport, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
    • ,
  • Dean Worthington

      Affiliations

    • Directorate of Sport, University of Salford, Manchester, UK

Received 20 September 2005; received in revised form 17 January 2006; accepted 25 January 2006.

Abstract 

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of various exercise parameters on VMO and VL EMG activity levels, along with the effect of gender on these parameters.

Design

Within-subjects repeated measures.

Setting

University Biomechanics Laboratory.

Participants

Twenty male and 23 female healthy asymptomatic individuals.

Outcome measure

Surface EMG of VMO and VL (RMS). This was measured during single- and multiple-joint quadriceps exercises in three hip positions (internal, external and neutral rotation), lifting a normalised load at a constant angular velocity.

Results

No difference in overall activity (RMS) for VMO and VL () between males and females for modes of contraction, hip positions or exercise was found. Analysis by factorial ANOVA showed the main effects of muscle (), hip position () and exercise type () did not have a significant effect on EMG activity, the nature of contraction (eccentric or concentric) had a significant effect () on EMG activity. There were no significant interactions ().

Conclusion

The study undertaken found that the relative difference in overall activity between VMO and VL was not influenced by gender, hip position, type of contraction or mode of exercise. It is unlikely that those exercises aimed at preferentially increasing VMO activity are likely to be successful in asymptomatic individuals. Clinicians treating patients with PFP should consider these findings when selecting exercises which could preferentially activate VMO.

Keywords: Exercise, VMO, VL, EMG, RMS

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1466-853X(06)00012-5

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.01.003

Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 7, Issue 2 , Pages 87-92, May 2006

Article Tools