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Variation of Lower-Limb Muscle Activation Asymmetry in Step Incremental and Constant-Power Pedaling Exercise
Seyed Hamidreza Heidary1, Reza Ahmadi1, Shahram Rasoulian2
1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N1N4, Canada.
Neuromuscular asymmetry in cycling, measured by the Normalized Symmetry Index (NSI), decreases with increasing intensity during incremental cycling tests. Constant power cycling showed no change in muscle activation asymmetry.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Limb asymmetry impacts cycling efficiency and injury risk.
- Surface electromyography (EMG) provides insights into neuromuscular asymmetry.
- The Normalized Symmetry Index (NSI) quantifies bilateral differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate muscle activation asymmetry during cycling using EMG.
- To compare asymmetry under incremental and constant-power test conditions.
- To investigate workload-dependent changes in neuromuscular symmetry.
Main Methods:
- Twenty participants performed incremental and constant-power cycling tests.
- Surface EMG data were collected bilaterally from seven lower-limb muscles.
- The Normalized Symmetry Index (NSI) was calculated to assess asymmetry.
Main Results:
- Incremental cycling significantly reduced NSI in quadriceps muscles (vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris) and biceps femoris.
- No significant NSI changes were observed for tibialis anterior, soleus, or gastrocnemius medialis during incremental tests.
- Constant-power cycling showed no change in NSI over time, with average values between 12-30%.
Conclusions:
- Surface EMG is sensitive to workload-dependent changes in muscle activation asymmetry.
- Higher cycling intensities may promote more balanced muscle engagement.
- Neuromuscular asymmetry is influenced by the cycling test protocol.
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