Integrated electromyography and performance outcomes to inertial resistance exercise

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics
• Sports Science

Background:

• Integrated electromyography (IEMG) and performance metrics in resistance exercise are influenced by gender, repetition, and contraction type.
• Inertial resistance training devices differ from traditional equipment, potentially altering physiological responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of gender, repetition order, and contractile mode on IEMG and performance during inertial calf press.
• To compare the neuromuscular and performance adaptations between men and women using an inertial training device.

Main Methods:

• Subjects (men and women) performed 3 sets of 10 calf presses on an inertial device.
• Integrated electromyography (IEMG) of the medial gastrocnemius and flywheel velocity were recorded.
• Data were analyzed using 2 (gender) x 2 (repetition: 1st vs. 10th) x 2 (contraction: concentric vs. eccentric) ANOVAs.

Main Results:

• Performance outcomes revealed significant gender-by-repetition and gender-by-contractile-mode interactions, primarily driven by men's data.
• Medial gastrocnemius (MG) IEMG showed a gender-by-repetition interaction, linked to men's first repetition.
• Men demonstrated improved 10th-repetition performance despite higher initial MG IEMG, suggesting enhanced elastic energy utilization or cross-bridge maintenance.

Conclusions:

• Inertial strength training may enhance performance outcomes without a corresponding increase in motor unit recruitment.
• Gender differences exist in neuromuscular and performance responses to inertial calf pressing.
• The findings suggest that inertial training leverages mechanisms like elastic energy storage and utilization for improved performance.