Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate muscle activity during hamstring
rehabilitation exercises performed in training machine compared with elastic
resistance. DESIGN: Six women and 13 men aged 28-67 yrs participated in a
crossover study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded in the biceps
femoris and the semitendinosus during the concentric and the eccentric phase of
hamstring curls performed with TheraBand elastic tubing and Technogym training
machines and normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contraction-EMG
(normalized EMG). Knee joint angle was measured using electronic inclinometers.
RESULTS: Training machines and elastic resistance showed similar high levels of
muscle activity (biceps femoris and semitendinosus peak normalized EMG >80%). EMG
during the concentric phase was higher than during the eccentric phase regardless
of exercise and muscle. However, compared with machine exercise, slightly lower
(P < 0.05) normalized EMG values were observed using elastic resistance at 30- to
50-degree knee joint angle for the semitendinosus and the biceps femoris during
the concentric and the eccentric phase, respectively. Perceived loading (Borg
CR10) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) during hamstring curl performed with
elastic resistance (7.58 +/- 0.08) compared with hamstring curl performed in a
machine (5.92 +/- 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Hamstring rehabilitation exercise performed
with elastic resistance induces similar peak hamstring muscle activity but
slightly lower EMG values at more extended knee angles and with higher perceived
loading as hamstring curls using training machines.

Langue : ANGLAIS