Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Athletic Training logoLink to Journal of Athletic Training
. 1995 Sep;30(3):254–258.

Kinematic and Electromyographic Analysis of Elbow Flexion During Inertial Exercise

James E Tracy 1,2,3, Shuchi Obuchi 1,2,3, Ben Johnson 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC1317871  PMID: 16558345

Abstract

Inertial exercise protocols are currently used clinically to improve and restore normal muscle function even though research to substantiate their effectiveness cannot be cited in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare simultaneous kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) data obtained from 12 subjects during elbow flexion on the Impulse Inertial Exercise System. Testing sessions consisted of inertial exercise performed using phasic and tonic techniques with loads of: a) 0 kg, b) 2.27 kg, c) 4.54 kg, d) 6.80 kg, e) 9.07 kg. Greater peak angular velocities, peak platform accelerations (change in velocity of platform during elbow flexion), mean and peak triceps brachii muscle EMG activity, and less range of motion were observed during phasic exercise. There was also a general trend for peak angular velocities and peak platform acceleration to increase as the load decreased. No significant difference in mean or peak EMG activity of the biceps brachii muscle was seen between techniques. Clinicians and athletic trainers using inertial exercise should consider both the exercise technique and load characteristics when designing protocols to meet the specific needs of patients.

Full text

PDF
254

Images in this article

255p255-a
on p.255

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Albert M. S., Hillegass E., Spiegel P. Muscle torque changes caused by inertial exercise training. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1994 Nov;20(5):254–261. doi: 10.2519/jospt.1994.20.5.254. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Andrews J. R., Carson W. G., Jr, McLeod W. D. Glenoid labrum tears related to the long head of the biceps. Am J Sports Med. 1985 Sep-Oct;13(5):337–341. doi: 10.1177/036354658501300508. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Asmussen E., Bonde-Petersen F. Storage of elastic energy in skeletal muscles in man. Acta Physiol Scand. 1974 Jul;91(3):385–392. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1974.tb05693.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bosco C., Komi P. V. Potentiation of the mechanical behavior of the human skeletal muscle through prestretching. Acta Physiol Scand. 1979 Aug;106(4):467–472. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1979.tb06427.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Buchthal F., Schmalbruch H. Motor unit of mammalian muscle. Physiol Rev. 1980 Jan;60(1):90–142. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1980.60.1.90. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. CAVAGNA G. A., SAIBENE F. P., MARGARIA R. EFFECT OF NEGATIVE WORK ON THE AMOUNT OF POSITIVE WORK PERFORMED BY AN ISOLATED MUSCLE. J Appl Physiol. 1965 Jan;20:157–158. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1965.20.1.157. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Desmedt J. E., Godaux E. Ballistic contractions in fast or slow human muscles: discharge patterns of single motor units. J Physiol. 1978 Dec;285:185–196. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1978.sp012566. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Helgeson K., Gajdosik R. L. The stretch-shortening cycle of the quadriceps femoris muscle group measured by isokinetic dynamometry. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993 Jan;17(1):17–23. doi: 10.2519/jospt.1993.17.1.17. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Kannus P. Relationships between peak torque, peak angular impulse, and average power in the thigh muscles of subjects with knee damage. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1990 Jun;61(2):141–145. doi: 10.1080/02701367.1990.10608667. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Laycoe R. R., Marteniuk R. G. Learning and tension as factors in static strength gains produced by static and eccentric training. Res Q. 1971 Oct;42(3):299–306. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Morris A. F. Myotatic reflex effects on bilateral reciprocal leg strength. Am Correct Ther J. 1974 Jan-Feb;28(1):24–29. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Pappas A. M., Zawacki R. M., Sullivan T. J. Biomechanics of baseball pitching. A preliminary report. Am J Sports Med. 1985 Jul-Aug;13(4):216–222. doi: 10.1177/036354658501300402. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Sale D. G. Neural adaptation to resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1988 Oct;20(5 Suppl):S135–S145. doi: 10.1249/00005768-198810001-00009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Scholz J. P. Reliability and validity of the WATSMART three-dimensional optoelectric motion analysis system. Phys Ther. 1989 Aug;69(8):679–689. doi: 10.1093/ptj/69.8.679. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Athletic Training are provided here courtesy of National Athletic Trainers Association

RESOURCES