ONSET AND OFFSET OF RECTUS FEMORIS ACTIVATION DURING DOUBLE POLING ERGOMETRY IN TWO POSITIONS: STANDING VS. SITTING

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to assess the onset and offset of Rectus Femoris (RF) activation during two different positions of Double Pole Ergometry (DPerg). Ten collegiate Nordic skiers randomly performed two peak oxygen consumption tests using the DP technique, standing and sitting. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected and the onset and offset of activation were determined using a combination of EMG and video data at three intensities: Low, Mid, and High. A Two-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA revealed RF onset and offset values for standing and sitting tests to be different. Post hoc comparisons revealed differences between Low and High intensities in onset and offset of muscle activation. These variations indicate that seated DPerg is not an ideal replacement for standing DPerg and athletes should use seated DPerg mindfully.