Muscle Fatigue When Riding a Motorcycle: A Case Study.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Motor Control

Background:

• Motor control and muscle activation patterns are crucial for athletic performance.
• Understanding muscle fatigue and force exertion in motorcycle racing can inform training strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess muscle activation patterns using surface electromyography (sEMG) during superbike track training.
• To identify changes in muscle activity, specifically fatigue and force increase, in key upper body muscles.

Main Methods:

• Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record muscle activity from various upper body muscles (e.g., biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoids, forearm muscles).
• Data was collected during a controlled superbike closed-road track training session, focusing on specific phases like braking and cornering.
• Analysis focused on muscle states of fatigue and force increase during different parts of the training session.

Main Results:

• The extensor digitorum (ED) muscle showed a high incidence of fatigue (84%), more so than flexor digitorum superficialis (FS) and extensor carpi radialis (CR).
• Triceps brachii (TB) and deltoid posterior (DP) muscles predominantly exhibited increased force (72%).
• Biceps brachii (BB) showed variable states of fatigue or force increase depending on curve sharpness, with a predominant force increase in sharp curves.

Conclusions:

• Forearm muscles, particularly ED, are prone to fatigue due to sustained high activity levels during superbike riding.
• Triceps brachii (TB) and deltoid anterior (DA) muscles are significantly involved and show increased force during cornering.
• These findings provide insights into muscle recruitment strategies and potential fatigue management for superbike racers.