The vastus medialis oblique:vastus lateralis electromyographic intensity ratio does not differ by gender in young participants without knee pathology

Bowyer, Damien; Armstrong, Mikaela; Dixon, John; Smith, Toby

doi:10.1016/j.physio.2007.08.007

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…It was expressed by all three studied parameters (%MVC, RMS, MF). Results of isometric contraction are very similar to these achieved by Bowyer et al [24]. He investigated that during straight leg rise of the dominant leg (with 3 sec.…”

Section: Activation Levelsupporting

confidence: 78%

Differences in bioelectrical activity of quadriceps muscle during various types of contraction

Niespodziński

Łukowicz

Mieszkowski

2013

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

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Background:The aim of the study was to estimate differences in bioelectrical activity between rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles of each lower limb.Material/Methods: 29 female and 18 male adult subjects participated in the study. Each subject performed the following quadriceps contractions with each lower limb: concentric, isometric, eccentric and 30-sec. long maximal voluntary isometric contraction. 3 parameters were obtained in surface electromyography (SEMG): mean RMS amplitude (RMS), mean percentage value of maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) and mean frequency (MF).Results: RF occurred to have a lower percentage activity (-28.43%) and absolute amplitude (-36.57%) value than VM during all three basic forms of contraction against gravity. Except the RMS values for concentric contraction, all the mentioned parameters were significantly different. In contrast, RF had a higher MF rate than VM. Differences were at the mean level of 22.57% for all activities.Conclusions: There are no differences in SEMG of quadriceps muscle between both lower limbs.VM and RF differ from each other in RMS, %MVC and MF during all types of studied contractions.

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Section: Activation Levelsupporting

confidence: 78%

Differences in bioelectrical activity of quadriceps muscle during various types of contraction

Niespodziński

Łukowicz

Mieszkowski

2013

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

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“…A lower medial to lateral quadriceps activation ratio is evident in healthy female subjects compared with healthy male subjects (32). However, not all EMG studies support the notion that higher incidence of PFPS in female populations is a result of differential VMO/VL intensity (6,21). The discrepancy in the results may be related to the inconsistent surface EMG electrode placements (21).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Female subjects are more likely to experience PFPS and knee injury than male subjects (4,16,47). A plausible explanation may be due to sex differences in the activation patterns of the VMO in relation to the VL (6). If the VMO is too weak to counteract the excessive force of the VL, pain can result from mal-tracking of the patella (35).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hip position and sex differences in motor unit firing patterns of the vastus medialis and vastus medialis oblique in healthy individuals

Peng

Tenan

Griffin

2018

Journal of Applied Physiology

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Weakness of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) has been proposed to explain the high prevalence of knee pain in female subjects. Clinicians commonly use exercises in an attempt to preferentially activate the VMO. Recently, our group found evidence to support clinical theory that the VMO is neurologically distinct from the vastus medialis (VM). However, the ability to voluntarily activate these muscle subsections is still disputed. The aim of this study was to determine if VM and VMO activation varies between sexes and if control of the two muscles is different between rehabilitation exercises. Thirteen men and 13 women performed isometric straight leg raises in two hip positions, neutral hip rotation and 30 degrees lateral hip rotation. Bipolar intramuscular fine-wire electrodes were inserted into the VM and VMO to obtain motor unit recruitment thresholds and initial firing rates at recruitment. Linear mixed models and Tukey post hoc tests were used to assess significant differences in 654 motor units. Women demonstrated faster motor unit firing rate at recruitment, 1.18 ± 0.56 Hz higher than men. Motor units fired 0.47 ± 0.19 Hz faster during neutral hip rotation compared with lateral hip rotation. The VMO motor units were recruited 2.92 ± 1.28% earlier than the VM. All motor units were recruited 3.74 ± 1.27% earlier during neutral hip rotation than lateral hip rotation. Thus the VM and the VMO can be activated differentially, and their motor unit recruitment properties are affected by sex and hip position. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to reveal differential activation of the vastus medialis oblique from the vastus medialis in clinical exercise protocols. Our research group used fine-wire electrodes to examine EMG signals of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus medialis to avoid possible cross talk. We also consider the effect of sex on motor unit firing patterns because of higher prevalence of knee pain in women, and yet few studies evaluating the sex differences in neuromuscular control.

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“…The electrodes were placed on the dominant limb, which was determined by asking the participant which leg they would use to kick a ball. Bipolar surface electrodes were placed over the bellies of the VMO and VL muscles at an interelectrode distance of 20 mm (Bowyer et al, 2008). The skin was shaved, cleaned with an alcohol wipe to improve electrical conductance, and gently abraded with sandpaper before electrode placement.…”

Section: Emg Recordingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MVIC was measured in long sitting, and the subjects performed a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the quadriceps without resistance (Sheehy et al, 1998). Participants performed each of the three quadriceps maximal voluntary isometric contractions for 5 s, with a 30-s rest period between sessions (Bowyer et al, 2008).…”

Section: Emg Recordingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of an isometric knee extension with hip adduction (KEWHA) exercise on selective VMO muscle strengthening

Choi

Kim

Jeon

2011

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

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The vastus medialis oblique:vastus lateralis electromyographic intensity ratio does not differ by gender in young participants without knee pathology

Cited by 11 publications

References 46 publications

Differences in bioelectrical activity of quadriceps muscle during various types of contraction

Differences in bioelectrical activity of quadriceps muscle during various types of contraction

Hip position and sex differences in motor unit firing patterns of the vastus medialis and vastus medialis oblique in healthy individuals

The effects of an isometric knee extension with hip adduction (KEWHA) exercise on selective VMO muscle strengthening

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