Changes in the mechanical and electromyographic output during isotonic and isometric exercise in men and women

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if surface electromyography (EMG) could be used to index fatigue during isotonic and maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the knee extensors in men and women. Methods: Ten males (age = 22.1 ± 3.3 yr, ht = 180.3 ± 5.5 cm, mass 78.7 ± 5.1 kg) and ten females (age = 23.9 ± 4.6 yr, ht = 163.7.3 ± 11.1 cm, mass 63.2 ± 7.4 kg) underwent one isometric (120 s MVIC of the knee extensors) and one isotonic (120 maximal effort isotonic contractions at a resistance of 25% of the MVIC peak torque determined on the testing day) exercise session separated by at least 48 hrs. The EMG signal was collected from the vastus lateralis during both exercise protocols using standard EMG collection techniques. Average torque (AT) was calculated from each 3 s window of the 120 s MVIC, and the average peak power (APP) was calculated for every 3 consecutive contractions during the dynamic exercise. Results: Both the isometric and isotonic fatigue protocols resulted in significant (p 0.05). A main effect for gender (p < 0.05) revealed larger EMG amplitude for females when compared to males during isotonic exercise. Conclusions: These results indicate that gender may be a factor in the development of dynamic fatigue and that EMG can index fatigue during a sustained MVIC.