Kinematic and electromyographic differences between men and women during skill acquistion: a preliminary study

The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine kinematic and muscular differences between male and female subjects during acquisition of a novel throwing skill. The task consisted of an underhand ball toss for accuracy and involved 10 male and 10 female subjects who each practiced the task for 104 trials during one sitting. A high speed 16 mm camera was used to gather the cinematographic data, and surface electrodes monitored the electrical output of the anterior and posterior portions of the deltoid muscle. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between male and female subjects in 1) integrated electrical activity of the posterior portion of the deltoid muscle, 2) premovement activity of both the anterior and posterior portions of the deltoid muscle, 3) peak velocity of the movement, and 4) velocity of the limb at ball release. Differences may exist between men and women in kinematic and muscular modifications occurring during the acquisition of a novel throwing skill.