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Updated: May 13, 2026

A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
Published on: September 17, 2013
Inverse activation between the deeper vastus intermedius and superficial muscles in the quadriceps during dynamic
1Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness & Sports, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 4648601, Japan. akima@nagoya-u.jp
Introduction:
We sought to determine the neuromuscular activation patterns of 4 synergistic muscles of the quadriceps femoris (QF), including the vastus intermedius (VI) muscle, during dynamic knee extensions.
Methods:
Nine healthy men performed dynamic knee extensions in the range of 20-100% of the one-repetition maximum (1RM) load. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the 4 muscles of the QF.
Results:
The normalized EMG amplitude of the VI was significantly higher at knee joint angles between 90° and 115° during both the concentric and eccentric phases, and it was significantly lower between 140° and 165° during concentric and eccentric phases, compared with those of vastus lateralis at 60-100% of 1RM load (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
These results suggest that the VI plays a key role during dynamic knee extension with flexed joint angles and specifically contributes to the initial concentric and final eccentric phases of knee joint movements.
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