Myoelectric activity of the gastrocnemius during plantar flexion in a standing versus seated position and with a neutral or dorsiflexed ankle: A pilot study

Gabriel Andrade Paz; Marianna de Freitas Maia; Juliana Brandão Pinto de Castro; Francine de Oliveira; Humberto Miranda; Vicente Pinheiro Lima; Jeffrey M Willardson

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.09.003

Myoelectric activity of the gastrocnemius during plantar flexion in a standing versus seated position and with a neutral or dorsiflexed ankle: A pilot study

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr:26:406-410. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.09.003. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Authors

Gabriel Andrade Paz¹, Marianna de Freitas Maia², Juliana Brandão Pinto de Castro³, Francine de Oliveira⁴, Humberto Miranda⁵, Vicente Pinheiro Lima³, Jeffrey M Willardson⁶

Affiliations

¹ Biodesp Institute, Kinesiology Center of Performance, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; LADTEF - Performance, Training, and Physical Exercise Laboratory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Lato Sensu Postgraduate Program in Strength Training, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: gabriel.andrade.paz@gmail.com.
² Biodesp Institute, Kinesiology Center of Performance, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; LADTEF - Performance, Training, and Physical Exercise Laboratory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
³ Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
⁴ LADTEF - Performance, Training, and Physical Exercise Laboratory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Lato Sensu Postgraduate Program in Strength Training, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
⁵ LADTEF - Performance, Training, and Physical Exercise Laboratory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
⁶ Montana State University Billings, Health and Human Performance Department, Billings, MT, USA.

PMID: 33992275
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.09.003

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of the medial (GM) and lateral (GL) heads of the gastrocnemius muscle during plantar flexion performed in standing or seated positions, and with a neutral or dorsiflexed ankle.

Introduction: The tríceps surae (gastrocnemius and soleus) is an essential muscle group that promotes propulsion during walking, running and tasks of daily living.

Methods: Ten male volunteers (24.5 ± 3.6 years, weight: 75.8 ± 10 kg; height: 1.74 ± 0.07 m) performed ten repetitions of plantar flexion under four different conditions: a) standing position (SP); b) standing position with passive stretch of the gastrocnemius muscle (SPS); c) seated with the knee flexed (KF); d) seated with the knee flexed and a passive stretch of the gastrocnemius (KFS).

Results: The muscle activity expressed as the root mean square (RMS) was significantly higher for the GL in the SPS versus the SP condition, while there was no difference for the GM between conditions. However, for the KF condition, GM activity was significantly higher versus the KFS condition, which was not verified for the GL.

Conclusions: Therefore, the standing position with passive stretching of the triceps surae may be more efficient in increasing the myoelectric activity of the GL. However, the sitting position without passive stretching promoted greater GM muscle recruitment. The length/tension relationship of gastrocnemius could be used as a prescription variable during rehabilitation or conditioning programs.

Keywords: Electromyography; Exercise; Muscle strength; Rehabilitation; Resistance training.

MeSH terms

Ankle*
Electromyography
Humans
Male
Muscle, Skeletal
Pilot Projects
Sitting Position
Standing Position*
Walking