| Summary: | The purpose of this study is to compare the Electromyographic (EMG) readings of
muscle activation while hiking out on both land and water. This study aims to determine
if there is a significant difference between EMG readings conducted in laboratory
conditions as well as on water when the subject is hiking out while sailing. Muscle
groups tested in this study were the Rectus Femoris, Vastus Laterialis and the Tibialis
Anterior groups. EMG readings were taken and expressed as a percentage of the maximal
voluntary contraction (MVC) baseline from the subject to determine the rate of muscle
contraction. Hiking angle has an effect on EMG activity of the quadriceps muscle and the
greater the hiking angle, the higher the EMG activity. Also, it appears that VL muscles
were a greater contributor of hiking technique than RF muscles and according to the
water hiking test, appears to fatigue more easily. Percentage of maximal voluntary
contraction was more prominent in the water hiking tests as compared to the static hiking
tests, with values ranging from 3-17% on water compared to 5-15% on land. Mean
Median power frequency was higher in the water hiking tests (14-17 Hz) than the static
hiking tests (15 - 16 Hz), which suggests more effort was required to hike out on water as compared to land.
|
|---|