Reliability of electromyography during 2000 m rowing ergometry

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the reliability of surface electromyography (EMG) assessed at seven muscles during three repeated 2000 m rowing ergometer sessions. Methods Twelve male well-trained rowers participated in a repeated measures design, performing three 2000 m rowing ergometer sessions interspersed by 3–7 days (S1, S2, S3). Surface electrodes were attached to the gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, erector spinae, vastus medialis, rectus abdominis and latissimus dorsi for EMG analysis. Results No differences existed between 2000 m sessions for EMG amplitude for any of the seven muscles (p = 0.146–0.979). Mean coefficient of variation of EMG for 6 of 7 muscles was ‘acceptable’ (12.3–18.6%), although classed as ‘weak’ for gastrocnemius (28.6%). Mean intra-class correlation coefficient values across muscles ranged from ‘moderate’ to ‘very large’ (0.31–0.89). Within-session EMG activation rates of vastus medialis were greater during 0–500 m and 1500–2000 m segments, compared with 500–1000 m and 1000–1500 m (p < 0.05). Values for biceps femoris and gluteus maximus were significantly higher during 1500–2000 m compared to 500–1000 m and 1000–1500 m (p < 0.05). The general pattern was for higher activation rates during 0–500 m and 1500–2000 m compared to 500–1000 m and 1000–1500 m. However, there were no between-sessions differences in EMG for any of the 500 m segments (p > 0.05). Conclusion Reliability of EMG values over repeated 2000 m sessions was generally ‘acceptable’. However, EMG was seemingly not sensitive enough to detect potential changes in neural activation between-sessions, with respect to changes in pacing strategy.

Surface electromyography changes of male athletes during 2000 m rowing ergometer test

“…Our study is the first to analyze the changes in EMG activity using multiple indicators from different distance points during a 2000 m rowing ergometer test. Gee et al [16] investigated the reliability of EMS assessed in seven muscles during three repeated 2000 m rowing ergometer tests and reported that the reliability of EMG values over repeated 2000 m was generally "acceptable" although EMG seemed not sensitive enough to detect potential changes concerning changes in pacing strategy. We hypothesized that the lack of sensitivity of EMG could be related to the results calculated by mean 500 m raw EMG signals.…”

“…The EMG electrodes were attached to three muscle sites from the right side of the body muscles vastus medialis (VAM), erector spinae (ERS) and latissimus dorsi (LD). These muscle sites have been previously shown to play an important role in rowing techniques [11,16]. Before fixing the electrodes, the skin was shaved and cleaned with alcohol to minimize the impedance.…”

“…It was previously shown that the performance of well-trained rowers during a 2000 m rowing ergometer test was reliable [3,15]. Gee et al [16] assessed the reliability of EMG measurements in seven muscles during three repeated 2000 m rowing ergometer sessions and found that although the EMG values could be generally considered "acceptable", EMG did not appear to be sensitive enough to detect potential changes between sessions. The results calculated by mean rectified EMG from each 500 m segment could eliminate the changes during the 2000 m trial process.…”