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Changes in muscle coordination and power output during sprint cycling
Steven J O'Bryan1, Nicholas A T Brown2, François Billaut3
1Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia.
During fatiguing sprint cycling, muscle coordination changes significantly. Power output decrease correlates with reduced EMG amplitude in most muscles, especially rectus femoris and gastrocnemius, and altered muscle co-activation.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Muscle coordination is crucial for maintaining power output during high-intensity exercise.
- Fatigue significantly impacts neuromuscular control and muscle activation patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in muscle coordination and EMG activity during a fatiguing 30-s cycling sprint.
- To identify specific muscle groups and co-activation patterns affected by power output reduction.
Main Methods:
- Electromyography (EMG) amplitude, onset, and offset were measured in eight muscles during an isokinetic cycling sprint.
- Co-activation levels of four muscle pairs were calculated.
- Participants performed a 30-s cycling sprint at 120 rpm.
Main Results:
- A 60% decrease in power output was observed, accompanied by reduced EMG amplitude in most muscles, notably rectus femoris and gastrocnemius.
- Muscle onset and offset times shifted, with most muscles showing earlier EMG offsets.
- Co-activation between gastrocnemius and primary power producers (gluteus maximus, vastus muscles) decreased significantly.
Conclusions:
- Fatigue during sprint cycling leads to substantial reductions in EMG activity of specific muscles (gastrocnemius, rectus femoris) and their co-activation.
- These neuromuscular changes likely alter joint power distribution and pedal force orientation, contributing to performance decline.
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