ROLE OF LENGTH SPECIFICITY, VELOCITY SPECIFICITY AND ... · berbanding kekuatan isometrik selepas...

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ROLE OF LENGTH SPECIFICITY, VELOCITY SPECIFICITY AND NEURAL ADAPTATIONS IN STRENGTH TRAINING By AHMAD NAIM ISMAIL Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy March 2012

Transcript of ROLE OF LENGTH SPECIFICITY, VELOCITY SPECIFICITY AND ... · berbanding kekuatan isometrik selepas...

  • i

    ROLE OF LENGTH SPECIFICITY, VELOCITY SPECIFICITY AND NEURAL

    ADAPTATIONS IN STRENGTH TRAINING

    By

    AHMAD NAIM ISMAIL

    Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in

    Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

    March 2012

  • ii

    Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of

    the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

    ROLE OF LENGTH SPECIFICITY, VELOCITY SPECIFICITY AND NEURAL

    ADAPTATIONS IN STRENGTH TRAINING

    By

    AHMAD NAIM ISMAIL

    March 2012

    Chair: Tengku Fadilah Tengku Kamalden, PhD

    Faculty: Faculty of Educational Studies

    A very common finding among many training studies is that the increase in weight-

    lifting strength is greater than the increase seen in isometric strength. Most are in view

    that this is the result of training and testing specificity. However the exact underlying

    mechanism that is responsible for the discrepancy has yet to be explained. The three

    studies of this thesis examine the explanation behind the discrepancy between the

    increases seen in weight-lifting strength compared to isometric strength after resistance

    training.

    The first study was to look into the role of learning. Thirty two students completed the

    training. The subjects underwent four weeks of unilateral leg extension training, three

    times per week,three sets of eight lifts. One leg was chosen arbitrarily for the training.

    The contralateral leg, which was not trained, acted as a control. Subjects performed at a

    steady pace. The result showed that the lesser experienced subjects showed a significant

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    improvement in training weights lifted which illustrated that weight-lifting is very much

    a skill based task.

    The second study was to look into length specificity and velocity specificity. Eighteen

    subjects completed the study. Subjects completed eight weeks of leg extension training,

    three times per week,four sets of six to eight lifts. One leg was arbitrarily assigned to

    perform the dynamic training. Isometric strength measured in the strength-testing chair.

    Measurements of isometric strength at 15° intervals from 60° to 105° of knee flexion

    using isokinetic dynamometer. Isokinetic strength testing was also measured at

    velocities of 45° s-1

    , 180° s-1

    and 300° s-1

    . A non-significant 6% increase of isometric

    maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) at 90° was found and between 13% and 19%

    .Increases of isometric torque were found at all angles measured. The training resulted

    in increases in the isokinetic torque at all velocities for the trained leg. The result has

    shown no evidence to any length or velocity specific adaptations.

    The third study was to look into whether there is any increase in neural activity during

    dynamic contractions in explaining the discrepancy between the increase in training

    weights and MVC. Seven male subjects participated in this study. Subjects were trained

    three times per week for four weeks, 80 - 85% of 1RM for three sets. One leg was

    chosen randomly. Subjects performed dynamic leg extension on a leg extension

    machine. The electromyogram (EMG) activity of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris

    was recorded for the training and control leg during all testing. There were no

    significant differences in terms of MVC force produced between the training chair and

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    the strength testing chair. The EMG data showed there was no significant change in the

    EMG activity of the vastus lateralis of the trained leg after training. There was a

    reduction in EMG activity of the hamstring during the 1 RM post training but was not

    significant. The results of the study have shown that there is no increase in neural

    activity which would explain the difference between the increase in training weights

    and MVC. Nor were there any significant changes in co-activation of the hamstring.

    The discrepancy seen in the large increase in the weight lifting strength as compared to

    isometric strength cannot be accounted for by the angle specificity and velocity

    specificity factors. There is also no increase in neural activity which would explain the

    difference between the increase in training weights and MVC. Nor were there any

    significant changes in co-activation of the hamstring, consequently the discrepancy

    remains unexplained.

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    Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai

    memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Doktor Falsafah.

    PERANAN SPESIFISITI PANJANG, SPESIFISITI HALAJU DAN ADAPTASI

    NEURAL DALAM LATIHAN KEKUATAN

    Oleh

    AHMAD NAIM ISMAIL

    Mac 2012

    Pengerusi: Tengku Fadilah Tengku Kamalden, PhD

    Fakulti: Fakulti Pengajian Pendidikan

    Kebanyakan dapatan daripada kajian mengenai latihan kekuatan mendapati bahawa

    peningkatan kekuatan (selepas latihan kekuatan) untuk mengangkat bebanan adalah

    melebihi kekuatan isometrik. Di antara alasan yang dikemukakan ialah kerana spesifisiti

    latihan dan ujian. Tetapi, dari segi mekanisme yang sebenarnya terlibat masih belum

    diketahui dengan jelas. Tiga kajian dalam tesis ini meneliti penjelasan di sebalik

    percanggahan di antara peningkatan yang dilihat dalam kekuatan mengangkat bebanan

    berbanding kekuatan isometrik selepas latihan kekuatan.

    Kajian pertama adalah untuk mengkaji peranan pembelajaran. Seramai 32 subjek

    menamatkan latihan setelah menjalani 4 minggu latihan ekstensi kaki unilateral, tiga

    kali seminggu, tiga set lapan ulangan. Sebelah kaki telah dipilih secara rawak untuk

    latihan. Kaki kontralateral, yang tidak terlatih, bertindak sebagai kawalan. Hasil kajian

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    menunjukkan bahawa subjek yang kurang berpengalaman mempamerkan peningkatan

    yang signifikan dalam mengangkat bebanan. Ini menunjukkan bahawa latihan kekuatan

    (angkat bebanan) adalah satu kemahiran yang tersendiri.

    Kajian kedua adalah untuk melihat spesifisiti sudut-panjang dan spesifisiti halaju.

    Seramai 18 subjek terlibat dalam kajian ini. Subjek menyelesaikan lapan minggu latihan

    ekstensi kaki, tiga kali seminggu, empat set 6-8 ulangan. Satu kaki secara rawak

    ditugaskan untuk melaksanakan latihan. Kekuatan isometrik diukur di kerusi ujian

    kekuatan isometrik. Pengukuran kekuatan isometrik pada 15° 60° hingga 105° fleksi

    lutut juga diukur menggunakan dinamometer isokinetik. Ujian kekuatan isokinetik juga

    diukur pada halaju 45° s-1

    , 180° s-1

    dan 300° s-1

    . Satu peningkatan kekuatan isometrik

    didapati sebanyak 6% tetapi tidak signifikan pada 90° dan peningkatan di antara 13%

    dan 19% didapati pada semua sudut yang diukur menggunakan dinamometer isokinetik.

    Latihan menyebabkan peningkatan tork isokinetik pada semua halaju untuk kaki

    terlatih. Hasil kajian menunjukkan tiada bukti adaptasi spesifisiti sudut-panjang atau

    spesifisiti halaju berlaku.

    Kajian terakhir meninjau sama ada terdapat sebarang peningkatan dalam aktiviti neural

    semasa kontraksi dinamik dalam menjelaskan percanggahan di antara peningkatan

    dalam berat latihan dan peningkatan kekuatan isometrik. Tujuh subjek lelaki mengambil

    bahagian dalam kajian ini. Subjek telah dilatih tiga kali seminggu selama empat

    minggu, 80 - 85% daripada 1RM sebanyak tiga set. Subjek melakukan ekstensi kaki

    dinamik menggunakan mesin extensi kaki. Aktiviti electromyogram (EMG) vastus

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    lateralis dan biseps femoris dicatatkan bagi kaki latihan dan kawalan dalam semua

    ujian. Terdapat tiada perbezaan yang signifikan dihasilkan antara kerusi latihan dan

    kerusi ujian kekuatan. Data EMG menunjukkan tiada perubahan signifikan dalam

    aktiviti EMG bagi vastus lateralis selepas latihan. Terdapat pengurangan dalam aktiviti

    EMG biseps femoris selepas latihan tetapi tidak signifikan. Kajian terakhir tesis ini

    menunjukkan dengan jelas bahawa tiada sebarang peningkatan aktiviti neural yang

    boleh menjelaskan perbezaan di antara peningkatan mengangkat bebanan dengan

    peningkatan kekuatan isometrik selepas sesuatu latihan dijalankan. Didapati juga

    bahawa tidak terdapat perubahan yang signifikan bagi koaktivasi otot hamstring.

    Dengan itu penjelasan tentang mengapa terdapat perbezaan yang ketara itu masih tidak

    dapat dijelaskan oleh kajian dalam tesis ini.

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    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    I would like to thank all of my friends and my family for the support and

    encouragement over these years. I am also indebted to all the volunteers that were

    involved in this work.

    A special acknowledgement to my supervisor for the motivation and guidance.

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    I certify that a Thesis Examination Committee has met on March 30, 2012 to conduct

    the final examination of Ahmad Naim Ismail on his thesis entitled “ROLE OF

    LENGTH SPECIFICITY, VELOCITY SPECIFICITY AND NEURAL

    ADAPTATIONS IN STRENGTH TRAINING” in accordance with the Universities

    and University Colleges Act 1971 and the Constitution of the Universiti Putra Malaysia

    [P.U.(A) 106] 15 March 1998. The Committee recommends that the student can be

    awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

    Members of the Thesis Examination Committee were as follows:

    Roselan Baki, PhD

    Faculty of Educational Studies

    Universiti Putra Malaysia

    (Chairman)

    Kok Lian Yee, PhD

    Faculty of Educational Studies

    Universiti Putra Malaysia

    (Internal Examiner)

    Saidon Amri, PhD

    Faculty of Educational Studies

    Universiti Putra Malaysia

    (Internal Examiner)

    Alun Williams, PhD

    Department of Exercise & Sport Science

    Manchester Metropolitan University

    United Kingdom

    (External Examiner)

    ________________________

    SEOW HENG FONG, PhD

    Professor and Deputy Dean

    School of Graduate Studies

    Universiti Putra Malaysia

    Date:

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    This thesis was submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been

    accepted as fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The

    members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows:

    Tengku Fadilah Tengku Kamalden, PhD

    Senior Lecturer

    Faculty of Educational Studies

    Universiti Putra Malaysia

    (Chairman)

    Aminuddin Yusof, PhD

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Educational studies

    Universiti Putra Malaysia

    (Member)

    Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, PhD

    Professor

    Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

    University Putra Malaysia

    (Member)

    __________________________________________

    BUJANG BIN KIM HUAT, PhD

    Professor and Dean

    School of Graduate Studies

    Universiti Putra Malaysia

    Date:

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    DECLARATION

    I declare that the thesis is my original work except for quotations and citations which

    have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously, and is not

    concurrently, submitted for any other degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia or at any other

    institution.

    ____________________________

    AHMAD NAIM ISMAIL

    Date:

  • xii

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Page

    ABSTRACT ii

    ABSTRAK v

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS viii

    APPROVAL ix

    DECLARATION xi

    LIST OF TABLES xiv

    LIST OF FIGURES xvii

    LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xxi

    CHAPTER

    1 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE

    REVIEW

    Introduction 1

    Factors Relating to Muscle Strength 5

    Specificity of Strength Training 10

    Neural Adaptations 13

    Direction of This Work 25

    2 GENERAL METHODS

    Strength Measurements 26

    Electrical Stimulation and Voluntary Activation 33

    EMG Measurements 36

    3 ROLE OF LEARNING IN CHANGES SEEN

    IN WEIGHT TRAINING: A COMPARISON

    OF BOYS WITH DIFFERING LEVELS OF

    SPORTING EXPERIENCE

    Introduction 39

    Methods 41

    Results 46

    Discussion 50

    4 ROLE OF LENGTH SPECIFICITY AND

    VELOCITY SPECIFICITY IN STRENGTH

    TRAINING

    Introduction 55

    Methods 58

    Results 61

    Discussion 75

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    5 RELIABILITY OF USING M-WAVE IN

    NORMALIZING THE EMG SIGNALS

    Introduction 81

    Methods 83

    Results 91

    Discussion 100

    6 ROLE OF NEURAL ADAPTATIONS IN

    SHORT TERM DYNAMIC WEIGHT

    TRAINING

    Introduction 103

    Methods 105

    Results 109

    Discussion 120

    7

    CONCLUSION 124

    REFERENCES 130

    APPENDICES 150

    BIODATA OF STUDENT 151

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    LIST OF TABLES

    Table Page

    2.1 COV of 1RM 27

    2.2 COV of MVC 28

    2.3 COV at Various Angle of Knee Flexion 31

    2.4 COV of Torque-velocity Relationship at

    Various Speed

    32

    2.5 COV % of Activation 35

    3.1 Age, Height, Weight and Maturity 46

    3.2a Pre and Post 1RM for Sports School 47

    3.2b Pre and Post 1RM for Non Sports School 47

    3.3a Pre and Post MVC for Sports School (SS) 48

    3.3b Pre and Post MVC for Non Sports School

    (NSS)

    49

    3.4 Pre and Post Training Differences of 1RM 49

    4.1 Physical Characteristics of the Subjects 58

    4.2 1RM (Newtons) Pre and Post Training for the

    Trained Legs of the Male and Female after 8

    Weeks of Training

    61

    4.3 1RM (Newtons) Pre and Post Training for the

    Untrained Legs after 8 Weeks of Training

    62

    4.4 1RM (Newtons) Pre and Post Training for

    Trained (T) and Untrained Leg (UT) for Male

    and Female and Control Subjects After 8

    Weeks of Training

    62

    4.5 Isometric MVC for the Pre and Post Training of

    the Trained Leg

    65

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    4.6 Isometric MVC for the Pre and Post Training of

    the Untrained Leg

    66

    4.7 Isometric MVC for the Pre and Post Training of

    the Trained (T) and Untrained (UT) Leg of

    Male and Female and Control Group

    66

    4.8 Changes Seen in the Angle-torque Relationship

    in the Trained Leg after 8 Weeks of Training

    68

    4.9 Changes Seen in the Angle-torque Relationship

    in the Untrained Leg after 8 Weeks of Training

    69

    4.10 Angle-torque Relationship for the Pre and Post

    Training of the Trained and Untrained Leg of

    Male and Female Subjects

    70

    4.11 Isokinetic Torque at 3 Angular Velocities of the

    Trained Leg after 8 Weeks of Training

    73

    4.12 Isokinetic Torque at 3 Angular Velocities of the

    Untrained Leg after 8 Weeks of Training

    74

    4.13 Isokinetic Torque at 3 Angular Velocities for

    the Pre and Post Training of the Trained and

    Untrained Leg of Male and Female Subjects

    74

    5.1 Height, Weight and the MVC of the Subjects 84

    5.2 Variance of sEMG and Normalising the EMG

    Data by using sEMG Divided by the Amplitude

    of the M-Wave

    96

    5.3 Normalising the EMG Data by using sEMG

    Divided by the sMWave

    96

    5.4 Variance of iEMG and iMWave and

    Normalising the EMG Data by using iEMG

    Divided by the iMWave

    97

    5.5 % COV of the EMG Parameters of the 4

    Subjects (Day to Day Variations) on 3 different

    Days

    97

    6.1 Physical Characteristics of the Subjects 106

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    6.2 i. 1RM (Newtons) and ii. MVC (Newtons) Pre

    and Post Training for Trained Legs. The

    Isometric MVC was tested on the Strength

    Testing Chair Condition

    110

    6.3 i. 1RM (Newtons) and ii. MVC (Newtons) Pre

    and Post Training for Untrained Legs. The

    Isometric MVC was Tested on the Strength

    Testing Chair Condition

    110

    6.4 Summary of the 1RM (Newtons) and MVC

    (Newtons) Pre and Post Training for Trained

    (T) and Untrained (UT) Legs

    111

    6.5 MVC Forces Produced in the Cybex Training

    Chair (Measured at 105° Knee Flexion) and in

    the Strength-testing Chair (Measured at 90°

    Knee Flexion). Units in Newton-meter (Nm)

    113

    6.6 Rectified, Smoothed EMG (rsEMG) for 1RM

    and MVC for the Trained Leg

    115

    6.7 Rectified, Smoothed EMG (rsEMG) for 1RM

    and MVC for the Untrained Leg

    115

    6.8 Amplitude of Rectified Smoothed EMG

    (rsEMG) of 1RM and MVC of the Hamstring

    (Trained Leg)

    117

    6.9 Amplitude of Rectified Smoothed EMG

    (rsEMG) of 1RM and MVC of the Hamstring

    (Untrained Leg)

    117

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    LIST OF FIGURES

    Figure Page

    2.1 Cybex-VR2 Leg Extension Machine 27

    2.2 Isometric Strength Testing Chair 28

    2.3 Ankle Strap and Strain Gauge 29

    2.4 Example of the Calibration 29

    2.5 Cybex Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer 30

    2.6 (i) Digitimer Stimulator Model DS7, UK 33

    2.6 (ii) CED-1401, Cambridge Electronic Design Ltd.,

    UK

    33

    2.7 The Twitch Interpolation Technique To

    Estimate Level of Muscle Activation

    34

    2.8 Bipolar Surface Electrodes 36

    2.9 EMG Activity of the Vastus Lateralis, Showing

    Raw, Rectified and Smooth EMG

    37

    2.10 Schematic Representation of the Experimental

    Set Up For Detecting EMG Signals, Force

    Management and Stimulating the Muscle

    37

    3.1 Universal Powercircuit Leg Extension Machine 43

    3.2 Percentage Increase of 1RM after Training of

    the Trained Leg and Untrained Leg of SS and

    NSS

    48

    4.1 Percentage Change in the Weight Lifted (1RM)

    in Trained, Untrained Leg and Control Group

    after 8 Weeks of Training

    63

    4.2 Percentage Change in the Weight Lifted (1RM)

    in Trained Leg versus Weeks of Training

    63

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    4.3 Voluntary Activation of the Trained (Shaded

    Bar) and Untrained (Open Bar) Leg Pre and

    Post Training

    64

    4.4 Percentage Change in Isometric MVC in the

    Trained, Untrained Leg and the Control Group

    after 8 weeks of Training

    67

    4.5 Changes in the Angle-torque Relationship for

    the Trained Leg

    71

    4.6 Changes in the Angle-torque Relationship for

    the Untrained Leg

    71

    4.7 Percentage Change in the Angle-torque

    Relationship in the Trained (Clean Bar),

    Untrained (Dark Bar) and Control (Grey Bar)

    after 8 Weeks of Training

    72

    4.8 Percentage Change in Isokinetic Torque at 3

    Angular Velocities in the Trained (Clean Bar),

    Untrained (Dark Bar) and Control (Grey Bar)

    Leg after 8 Weeks of Training

    75

    5.1 Femoral Nerve Which Runs Lateral to the

    Femoral Artery

    85

    5.2 The Cathode Probe 86

    5.3 The femoral nerve (c) lies parallel to the

    femoral artery (b). (a) is the femoral crease

    which is just below the inguinal ligament

    86

    5.4 M-Waves Recorded from the Three Muscles, V.

    Lateralis, R. Femoris and V. Medialis

    87

    5.5 Smoothed, Rectified Raw EMG and the Force

    Elicited

    89

    5.6 Integrated, Rectified and Raw EMG 89

    5.7 The Raw, Rectified and Amplitude of

    Smoothed M-Wave of Vastus Lateralis

    90

    5.8 The Raw, Rectified and Integrated M-Wave of

    Vastus Lateralis

    90

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    5.9 (a) Low Amperage at 100 mA 92

    5.9 (b) Medium Amperage at 200 mA 92

    5.9 (c) High Amperage at 300 mA 92

    5.9 (d) A Typical M-Wave of the Vastus Lateralis at

    100 mA

    92

    5.10 The Timing of the Evoked M-Waves after

    Being Stimulated by a Single Pulse. X, Y and Z

    Represents the Timing of the Vastus Medialis,

    Rectus Femoris and Vastus Lateralis

    Respectively

    93

    5.11 M-Waves Signal of the Vastus Lateralis, Rectus

    Femoris and Vastus Medialis Recorded at

    Various Current. The Force Elicited by the

    Stimulation is shown in Newtons (N) on the

    Secondary Axis Above It

    94

    5.12 (a,b,c) Amplitude of the M-Waves of the Three

    Muscle at Different Currents taken 3 Times

    During the Day

    95

    5.12 (d,e,f) Amplitude of the M-Waves of the Three

    Muscle at Different Currents taken on 3

    Subsequent Days

    95

    5.13 Mean % COV of the EMG Parameters of the 4

    Subjects (Day to Day Variations) on Three

    Different Days

    98

    5.14 The Branching of the Nerves in Relation to the

    Placing of the Electrodes. X,Y,Z is the

    Placement of the Electrodes for Vastus

    Lateralis, Rectus Femoris and Vastus Medialis

    Respectively and a,b,c is the Place Where the

    Femoral Nerves Enters the Vastus Lateralis,

    Rectus Femoris and Vastus Medialis

    Respectively

    99

    6.1 EMG of the Biceps Femoris vs Force during a

    Flexion

    108

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    6.2 The Increase in Weight Lifted (1RM) for 4

    Weeks of Training

    109

    6.3 Percentage Change in Weights Lifted (1RM)

    and in Isometric MVC in Trained and

    Untrained Legs after 4 Weeks of Training

    111

    6.4 Percentage Change in Weight Lifted (1RM) and

    Isometric MVC of the Trained Leg

    112

    6.5 Percentage Change in Isometric MVC of the

    Testing Chair at 105o of Knee Flexion and at

    90o Knee Flexion. No significant difference

    (p=0.51)

    113

    6.6 Voluntary Activation of the Trained and

    Untrained Before (Shaded) and After (Clear)

    Training

    114

    6.7 EMG Activity of the Vastus Lateralis during

    1RM Leg Extension (Cybex VR-2) and MVC

    (Strength Testing Chair) of the Trained Leg and

    Untrained Leg Pre (Shaded) and Post (Clear)

    Training

    116

    6.8 EMG Activity of the Hamstring during a 1RM

    Leg Extension (Cyber VR-2) and MVC

    (Strength Testing Chair) of the Trained Leg and

    Untrained Leg Pre (Shaded) and Post (Clear)

    Training

    118

    6.9 Relationship of Rectified, Smoothed EMG of

    Biceps Femoris and Antagonist Force

    119

    6.10 Relationship of Rectified, Smoothed EMG of

    Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris and

    Quadriceps Force

    119

  • xxi

    LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

    CSA - cross-sectional area

    CNS - central nervous system

    EMG - electromyography

    iEMG - integrated electromyography

    sEMG - smoothed electromyography

    rsEMG - rectified smoothed electromyography

    COV - coefficient of variation

    1 RM - one repetition maximum

    SD - standard deviation

    MVC - maximal voluntary contraction

    MAP - muscle action potential