Resistance training alters the sensorimotor control of vasti muscles

• Published in: Journal of electromyography and kinesiology Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 180 - 184
• Main Authors: Wong, Y.M, Ng, Gabriel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2010
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Adolescent; Adult; Electromyography; Feedback, Sensory - physiology; Female; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Knee; Knee Joint - physiology; Male; Muscle contraction; Muscle, Skeletal - innervation; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Patellofemoral joint; Physical Exertion - physiology; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Resistance Training - methods; Task Performance and Analysis; Weight training; Young Adult; Knee; Electromyography; Patellofemoral joint; Weight training; Muscle contraction
• ISSN: 1050-6411; 1873-5711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2009.02.006

Abstract The present study examined and compared two modes of weight training (bodybuilding and power-lifting) on the surface EMG of vasti muscles, knee joint position sense and isometric knee extension force in 48 able-bodied subjects. Subjects were randomly allocated into either a moderate loading and repetitions (bodybuilding) training or a high loading and low repetitions (power-lifting) training, or a no training control group. Training was conducted on alternate days with individual supervision. After 8 weeks of training, subjects from both training groups showed significantly earlier EMG onset timing and higher amplitude of vastus medialis obliquus relative to vastus lateralis ( p = 0.005 or <0.001), and improved knee joint position sense ( p < 0.001), but no such changes were found in the control group. However, the changes were not significantly different ( p > 0.05) between the two training groups. The findings suggested that the neuromotor control of the vasti muscles could be altered by regular weight training.