Kinesiology Commons^™

A Comparison Of Ground Reaction Forces And Muscle Activity Of The Tsunami Bar® Against A Rigid Barbell During Back Squat Phases, John Carver Middleton

Theses and Dissertations

An Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study was conducted to investigate the effects of the Tsunami Bar® (TB), a flexible barbell, on ground reaction force (GRF) production and muscle activity in the quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscle groups during phases of the squat exercise and compare the effects to the effects to using a rigid barbell (RB). A two-by-two repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare the results. Descriptive statistics showed significantly higher GRFs for the TB during the unweighting phase, significant differences in GRFs between speeds for each phase, significantly higher forces on average with the …

The Interaction Of Treadmill Type And Incline Slope On Biomechanics And Muscle Activation During Human Locomotion, Rohit Kundu

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Treadmills are widely used in biomechanical research. However, variations in treadmill design and running surfaces may affect biomechanical variables such as muscle activation and impact acceleration. In addition, incline walking on treadmills leads to changes in the pattern of muscle activation, particularly at steeper inclines. Despite extensive research on the effects of running surfaces and inclines on biomechanical variables (gait, muscle activation, impact force), the impact of varying treadmill manufacturers on biomechanical variables at high inclines remains unclear. Purpose: To determine whether the type of treadmill deck influences surface electromyography (EMG) patterns and impact accelerations at high incline (20%) walking …

The Effect Of Tempo On Prone Hamstring Exercise - An Exploration Of Unilateral Bias, Derick A. Anglin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hamstring injuries are common muscle-skeletal injuries with a high recurrence rate. While unmodifiable risk factors (e.g., previous injury) vary, recent evidence has questioned the utility of eccentric exercise in preventing hamstring strains. Furthermore, whether eccentric exercise can transfer to sprinting’s kinetic and kinematic requirements is of question. Therefore, this investigation examines exercise tempo (fast vs. slow eccentric phase), movement strategy (bilateral vs. unilateral), and external load characteristics (coupled vs. independent) bias concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) biceps femoris (BF) mean electromyography (mEMG). METHODS: Twenty college-aged students aged 18 – 33 (M = 23.4, SD = 3.12 years) with …

The Effect Of Postural Perturbations On Cardiovascular And Skeletal Muscle Function In Healthy Adults, Patrick Siedlecki

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Maintenance of standing balance is vital to daily living. Traditionally, perspectives on maintaining balance are achieved through the study of visual, vestibular and somatosensory inputs on motor outputs. While evidence suggests cardiovascular regulation also functions to assist postural control during orthostatic stress, how the cardiovascular system responds to postural perturbations is not well established. This dissertation includes four studies that investigated the effects of postural perturbations on the cardiovascular system and skeletal muscle responses in healthy adults. All of the studies involved exposing standing participants to surface-translation perturbations at different velocities, with known or unknown timing, and occurred while spontaneously …

A Biomechanical Analysis Of Back Squats: Motion Capture, Electromyography, And Musculoskeletal Modeling, Eva Maria Urdiales Maddox

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Previous literature evaluating maximal back squats have failed to identify key components of the study decisions and procedures that would allow for duplication. Firstly, the existence of a sticking region in maximally weighted resistance exercises is frequently discussed and has been described as a force-reduced transition phase between an acceleration phase and a strength phase of a lift. However, the etiology has yet to be agreed upon. Second, Electromyography (EMG) is frequently used to assess muscle activations. However, no best practice for EMG normalization has been proposed. Two methods are commonly implemented for normalizing EMG: a maximum voluntary isometric contraction …

The Effects Of Common Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training Protocols On Muscle Excitation And Fatigue, Taylor M. Aldeghi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Low-load blood flow restriction (LLBFR) training has been shown to elicit greater increases in muscle hypertrophy and strength compared to traditional low-load training, yet few studies have compared the effectiveness of different LLBFR protocols. To our knowledge, no previous study has compared the acute neuromuscular changes induced by two common LLBFR protocols: 30-15-15-15 repetitions (BFR-75) and four sets of repetitions performed to volitional failure (BFR-F). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use surface electromyography (sEMG) to compare changes in muscle excitation and fatigue during BFR-75 and BFR-F protocols. Ten women (mean ± SD age = 22 ± 3.5 …

The Correlation Between Ankle Proprioception And Lower Extremity Muscle Reactions In Response To Simulated Lateral Ankle Sprains, Erin M. Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most commonly occurring sport-related injuries. The somatosensory system is primarily responsible for monitoring the position of the joints in space during movement. This system functions by way of neurological structures that provide proprioceptive and neuromuscular input to the brain. Motor control of the lower extremity relies on proprioceptive input to the central nervous system (CNS) and local neuromuscular control of each joint to produce coordinated, global muscular responses to external events. Previous research has investigated links between proprioception and neuromuscular control in relationship to ankle inversion separately, but none have searched for …

Biomechanical Assessment Of The Lower Extremity Following An Unexpected Ankle Perturbation, Emilia Gladys Schempp

Theses and Dissertations

A deeper understanding of the response to an unexpected ankle perturbation could help provide insight into ankle sprain injury avoidance strategies. This study compared lower extremity electromyographic and kinematic measures between unexpected ankle perturbation and normal walking conditions, including muscle amplitudes and reaction times, dominant limb joint angles and velocities. Trial conditions included a walking control condition, unexpected 30° inversion, and unexpected 18° combined inversion and plantarflexion. With randomized trials, 20 healthy volunteers walked along the custom-built walkway that unexpectedly released into the described ankle perturbations. Significant differences were found for peak and average EMG of the peroneus longus and …

The Effect Of Emg Biofeedback Training On Muscle Activation In An Impingement Population, Eliot Mackay

WWU Graduate School Collection

Background: The shoulder is injury prone and subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is one of the most diagnosed causes of pain in the region.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activity between healthy and SAIS shoulders on the same subject and to understand the effectiveness of EMG biofeedback (EBFB) on bilateral overhead movements.

Design: Ten participants (7 male), that tested positive for 2/3 SAIS clinical tests, volunteered for the study. Bilateral muscle activity was measured via electrodes on the Upper Trapezius (UT), Lower Trapezius (LT), Serratus Anterior (SA), and Lumbar Paraspinals (LP). Kinematic testing involved 3 continuous …

Examination Of Sex- And Intensity-Specific Fatigue During Bilateral Leg Extension Exercise, Taylor Kayln Dinyer

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The purposes of this study were to: 1) examine sex-related differences in the performance of repetitions to failure below (CL_-10%, CL_-20%) and above (50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% 1RM) the critical load (CL) to make inferences regarding the mechanisms responsible for variability in the performance of repetitions to failure at varying loads; 2) examine the time course of neuromuscular and muscle oxygen saturation responses during the performance of repetitions to failure below and above the CL; 3) to make inferences regarding motor unit activation strategies used to maintain force during the completion of repetitions below and …

The Function Of The Intrinsic Foot Muscles During Turns And Mediolateral Shifts In Balance, Hope E. Kircher

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: Atrophy of the intrinsic foot muscles (IFM) has been associated with foot deformity, balance deficiencies, and plantar ulceration in patients with diabetes. Nevertheless, little is understood regarding the function of the intrinsic foot muscles responsible for abduction of the toes, and no study has directly assessed the role of the abductors in maintaining mediolateral balance or foot alignment and integrity during turning and other nonlinear activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the activation levels of abductor hallucis (ABDH), abductor digiti minimi (ABDM), the first (PDIO1) and third (PDIO3) dorsal interossei, and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) during …

Assessment Of Intrinsic Hand Neuromuscular Physiology, Philemon Tsang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Alterations to the peripheral nervous system and neuromuscular physiology may impact hand function in a typical or clinical population, such as individuals with ulnar neuropathy. The mechanisms that influence these positive and negative changes are still not well understood. The three studies within my thesis aim to validate the reliability of decomposition-based quantitative electromyography (DQEMG) measurements and explore the changes in intrinsic hand neuromuscular physiology in a typical aging population and individuals recovering from a surgical intervention for severe ulnar neuropathy.

The purpose of the first study was to determine the test-retest reliability of near-fibre (NF) jiggle, a measure of …

The Acute Effects Of Manual Resistance On Ballistic Bench Press Performance, Matthew Paul Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Heavy conditioning activities (CA) during warm-ups has been found to improve subsequent movements. However, a problem with heavy CAs is the need for specialized equipment. Manual Resistance (MR) is accommodating resistance in which traditional exercises are replicated using resistance from a partner. This modality has led to improved muscular strength and endurance; however, the acute effects of MR have not been examined. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if MR can lead to improvements in ballistic bench press (BBP) performance. Methods: Two subjects (age = 22.50 ± 0.71 years, weight = 97.88 ± 43.95 kg, BMI = …

Neuromuscular Responses At Acute Altitude Exposure During Fatiguing Dynamic Exercise Of The Biceps Brachii, Jasmin Renee Jenkins

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

BACKGROUND: The capacity to do work is greatly affected by high altitude exposure. Larger muscle groups of the lower body and exercises primarily aerobic in nature have been well investigated at high altitude. The present study examined acute altitude exposure on the number of repetitions to failure and electromyographic (EMG) repetition duration (Time), EMG root mean square (RMS) and EMG mean power frequency (MPF) during dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) exercise of the biceps brachii.

METHODS: Thirteen subjects performed two sets of fatiguing DCER arm curl repetitions to failure at 70% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) obtained at 1067 …

Effect Of Caffeine Supplementation On Vertical Jump Performance, Heart Rate Variability, And Electromyography, Collin T. Garner

Masters Theses

Research into caffeine’s ability to improve anaerobic performance is inconclusive. Eleven anaerobically trained individuals (mean age: 23.45 ± 1.51 years) participated in this study. Assessments of resting heart rate variability (HRV), exercise heart rate variability, surface electromyography (sEMG), static vertical jump (SJ), and countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) were conducted before and after administration of placebo and caffeinated treatments. Three trials of each vertical jump technique were performed before and after treatment administration. A 60-minute absorption period was utilized for absorption of the treatment following its ingestion. All participants performed testing on two separate occasions, once under the placebo condition and …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Electromyography Biofeedback At Improving The Upper Trapezius To Serratus Anterior Muscle Activation Ratio, Julia Evelyn Holton

Master's Theses

Purpose: The upper trapezius to serratus anterior muscle activation ratio is essential for optimal shoulder function. An alteration of this ratio, specifically a decrease in upper trapezius and increase in serratus anterior activation, is a main area of focus in shoulder rehabilitation (Kibler, 1998; Paine & Voight, 1993). Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback has been shown to be an effective rehabilitation technique to address many musculoskeletal disorders but there is limited research on the retention of improvements seen with EMG biofeedback (Ma et al., 2011; Lim et al., 2014; Weon, et al., 2011). The purpose of this study was to determine if …

An Investigation Of The Biomechanics Of Kinesiology Tape, Jessa Ward

Graduate Theses - Biology & Biomedical Engineering

Kinesiology tape has grown in popularity since its widespread use at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Manufacturers of these colorful tapes have advertised biomechanical benefits for athletes, including pain relief and muscle support, without much quantitative evidence to support these claims. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the biomechanical aspects of kinesiology tape and how it affects subjects’ muscle activity. This research study evaluated the muscle activity of subjects’ low back before and after tape application during targeted, bodyweight exercises. Each subject’s muscle activity, measured through electromyography (EMG), was normalized and assessed using nonparametric statistical techniques. …

Effects Of Instability On Core Muscle Activation In A Side Bridge, Erin E. Kishman

Masters Theses

Training the musculature of the core continues to be perceived as an essential component of conditioning and rehabilitation settings (11). A popular way to train the core is with the use of instability devices, such as Swiss ball or suspension trainer. However, there is limited research on the effects of these devices on core muscle activity. The purpose of this study was to examine core muscle activity during side bridge variations with and without instability devices (Floor, Swiss Ball, and TRX) through electromyography (EMG) of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae, and latissimus dorsi. 39 participants performed three variations …

Motor Affordance For Grasping A Safety Handle, Doug W. Mcdannald

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Observation of objects in our environment can potentiate movement, a fact reflected by increased activity in motor cortical networks when participants simply view a graspable object. This suggests that specific areas in the motor cortex play an important role in processing visual information to rapidly determine an appropriate action. The present study was conducted to test if visual access to a wall-mounted safety handle results in activation of motor cortical networks. We hypothesized that the hand area of the primary motor cortex would be facilitated shortly after visual access to a safety handle versus when no handle was visible. To …

Functional Anatomy Of Palmar Musculature, Colin W. Moore

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The palmaris longus (PL) and palmaris brevis (PB) are upper limb muscles considered atavistic remnants of those found in animal species. Despite their use in surgical grafting and tendon transfer procedures, the functional role of the PL and PB have not been investigated comprehensively in vivo. Using a multi-modal experimental approach consisting of indwelling fine wire electromyography (EMG), ultrasonography and immunohistochemical muscle staining techniques, the function of the PL and PB in the hand was evaluated both in in vivo and in situ.

The purpose of Study 1 was to determine whether the PL provides synergistic contributions to …

The Effect Of Treadmill Vs. Nustep Recumbent Cross Trainer On Gait And Lower Extremity Electromyography After Chronic Stroke, Nicholas Joseph Siekirk

Wayne State University Dissertations

Pilot Part 1: The purpose was to investigate the effect of a perceived exertion based cadence on lower extremity muscle activation, as measured by surface electromyography (EMG) on a recumbent cross trainer. The purpose of this investigation was to study the EMG activity of 12 lower extremity muscles during five different stepping protocols; perceived exertion based self-selected (SS) cadence with level 1 resistance (SSL1), SS cadence with level 8 resistance (SSL8), +20% SS cadence (SS+20), -20% SS cadence (SS-20), and at a set 80 steps per minute at resistance level 1 (80L1). In order to determine SS cadence each participant …

Muscle Activation Analysis With Kinematic Comparison Between Wind-Up And Stretch Pitching With Respect To The Upper And Lower Extremities, Megan M. Smidebush

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Introduction: Baseball pitching is considered one of the most intense aspects within the game of baseball, as well as the most complicated dynamic throwing task in all of sports. The biomechanics of pitching have been heavily investigated in an attempt to identify optimal pitching mechanics in terms of pitching performance. Previous quantified upper body kinetics research has concluded that improved muscle strength is needed in attempting to achieve adequate upper body kinetics and efficient pitching performances. Therefore, it is the purpose of this research study to compare the lower extremity muscle and upper extremity muscle activation patterns and kinematic variables …

Muscle Synergy During A Single Leg Standing Test In Ambulatory Children With Cerebral Palsy, Brennan L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by dysfunctional motor coordination, balance problems, and loss of selective motor control. Motor coordination exhibited as co-contraction, has been subjectively quantified using gait analysis, but recent studies have begun to objectively analyze the amount of co-contraction by collecting electromyography (EMG) data. Center of pressure excursion (COPE) measurements collected during a single leg standing test (SLST) have shown to be more valid measurements of balance in populations with motor disabilities than a SLST alone. A recent study has correlated increased COPE velocity with a lower fall risk as determined by reported fall …

The Effects Of A Short-Term Endurance Training Program With Blood Flow Restriction Cuffs Versus Acsm Recommended Endurance Training On Arterial Compliance And Muscular Adaptations In Recreationally Active Males, Brittany N. Esparza

Theses and Dissertations

RESULTS: Significant time and group interaction found in cardiac ejection time (p<.05). Significant condition difference between blood flow restriction (BFR) and control for heart rate (HR) max (p=.05) and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2) (p<.05). Significant time difference found in pulse wave velocity femoral to distal (p<.05). Significant repetition main effect (p<.01) for root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MDF) of Thorstensson. Significant time and group interaction in vastus lateralis of MDF (p<.01). Significant repetition main effect for RMS and MDF ratio (p<.01) Significant time and repetition interaction in vastus lateralis of RMS ratio (p<.03)

CONCLUSION: The BFR session showed improvement in both post HR max and post VO2 in comparison to the control group. This may have been caused by increased tolerance to pain/metabolic by-products for HR and increased efficiency at extracting oxygen for VO2

Neuromuscular And Arterial Compliance Responses To Different Resistance Training Frequencies And Protocols, Patrick Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of blood flow restriction and resistance training on arterial elasticity, EMG activity, and strength indices among sedentary to recreationally active females who completed 6 weeks of resistance training.

RESULTS: Significant time*condition interactions occurred in LE-1RM (p

CONCLUSION: The research group(s), 1–2 days/week with and without blood flow restriction, may increase training adaptations and responses parallel to the control group (3 days/week). There appears to be no differences in arterial compliance between groups.

Differences In The Muscle Activity For Baseball Hitters Of Varying Skill, Ethan M. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

INTRODUCTION: Muscle activity and timing of the swing phases may contribute to the differences we see in athletes at different skill levels. The purpose of this study is to analyze the differences between mean muscle activity, peak muscle active and time to peak muscle activity for select muscles in the lower extremity as well as the differences between start times for swing phases and bat velocity prior to impact for a skilled and recreational group. METHODS: Twelve healthy subjects were split into two groups based on competitive level and analyzed hitting off of a tee. RESULTS: No significant differences were …

Constraining Kinematics During Single-Leg Squats And Step-Ups Can Reduce Quadratus Lumborum Activation And Facilitate Gluteal Activation, Shaylyn Kowalchuk

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Increased quadratus lumborum activation and decreased gluteal activation may lead to lateral pelvic drop and increased hip adduction and internal rotation during single-leg exercises. These activation patterns and motions are associated with low back pain or lower extremity injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if mechanically restricting hip adduction and internal rotation of the femur affected muscle activation. Twenty female track and field athletes performed single-leg squats and step-ups, and the quadratus lumborum, gluteus medius and maximus muscles activations were measured with surface electromyography. This study tested the hypothesis that mechanically restricted exercises would decrease quadratus lumborum …

Electromyography Study Of Muscle Fatigue During Isometric Exercises In Swimmers And Non-Swimmers, Tiffany Aeling

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The use of electromyography (EMG) techniques offer strong evaluation of musculature fatigue during activity in different exercises. Studies show that EMG can be used to monitor fatigue patterns in muscles composing the upper extremities and thoracic areas of the human body by analyzing median frequency values. Advances in muscle fatigue research have been critical for improving rehabilitation programs for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Despite these developments, many collegiate athletes are still at high risk for muscle injury on and off the playing field. Therefore, in order to help reduce injury numbers, it is important that current research focus on the …

A Complete Kinematic, Kinetic, And Electromyographical Analysis Of The Football Throw In Collegiate Quarterbacks, Kyle R. Bohnert

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

The biomechanics of the overhead throw has been extensively studied in regards to baseball pitching. However, an understanding of the proper mechanics needed to successfully throw a football has not previously been investigated. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematics, kinetics, and electromyography of the football throws in elite quarterbacks. Three collegiate quarterbacks were evaluated using a multi-camera motion capture system and electromyography electrodes. The results of this study are able to give a breakdown in the types of mechanics needed in each of the phases of the throw. This study demonstrated that during the early …

Neural Recovery Rates Of Knee Extensors Following A Resistance Exercise Protocol, Darren Michael Polk

LSU Master's Theses

Fatigue can manifest in the human body in a multitude of ways, one of these is neural-based fatigue. Neural-based fatigue occurs when the nerve fails to activate a muscle (Brooks et al., 2005). The purpose of this research is to investigate rates of neural recovery following a resistance exercise protocol. A pre-test consisting of a 5-second maximum voluntary isometric knee extension was performed. Next, each subject performed a resistance exercise protocol consisting of 5 sets of 10 repetitions of isokinetic knee extensions. Post-tests following the resistance exercise protocol consisted of 5-second maximum voluntary isometric knee extensions after 1, 5, 10, …