COMPARISON OF MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTIC AND MUSCLE ACTIVATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT FITNESS HOOPS

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the movement characteristics and muscle activation between Hula Hoop (HL) and Mini Hoop (MH). Methods: Sixteen healthy females randomly used HL and MH three minutes, respectively. Motion Analysis System and Noraxon wireless surface electromyography (EMG) were used to measure the movement characteristics and muscle activation. The paired t-test was used to test the difference between MH and HL. Results: The HL had larger in range of hip motion and root mean square of EMG in spinal erectors than MH (p < .05); the MH had higher in movement frequency (cycles per second) and median frequency of EMG in spinal erectors than HL (p < .05). Conclusion: Two fitness hoops have different movement characteristics and muscle action due to the different equipment design.