EFECT OF TREADMILL GRADE ON ACTIVATION OF LOWER LIMB MUSCLES DURING HOCKEY STRIDE

Abstract

In order to gain a performance specific advantage, the skating treadmill has been used in research/training to simulate on-ice skating conditions. The treadmill allows accurate reproduction of the forward power skating stride. The skating stride is biphasic and can be broken down into the support phase; single support and double support, and the swing phase. (Pearsall et ai, 2000) During single support the hamstrings are active while during double support, there is an explosive generation of power at the knee joint caused by the quadriceps. (Humble et ai, 1988, Pearsall et ai, 2000) The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of treadmill grade on lower limb muscle activation patterns (electromyography) and kinematics (high speed filming) during forward power skating.