Effect of gender and performance on EMG activity of selected knee extensor muscles during isometric contractions of fully extended knee in athletes

Abstract

Muscular fatigue is described as a condition, wherein the ability of muscles to contract and produce force is reduced under sustained contraction. The quantification of muscular fatigue by surface electromyography (EMG) provides a non-invasive method for easily accessing and measuring the physiological processes occurring during sustained muscular work. The isometric contraction consisted of performing knee extension with an angle between 180º to 170º with a load of 30 repetition maximum (RM) on the CYBEX exerciser. Vastus Medialis (VM) and Vastus Lateralis (VL) leg muscles were chosen for recording the EMG activity simultaneously. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the gender as well as performance (high and low) in these athletes. EMG activity of males was found to be superior to females across the experimental protocol.