The Investigation of the Relationship between Muscle Contraction Intensity of Agonist and Synergist Groups and Perceived Muscle Activation During Strength Exercises
Project no. 21702 · Status: Kapanmış · 2020
Summary
<p>Understanding muscle activation during exercises is crucial for devising effective training programs. This study examined the correlation between self-reported and electromyographic (EMG) muscle activity during upper-body exercises performed at loads corresponding to 4-6 repetition maximums (RMs). Thirteen male sub-elite soccer players who resistance trained at least three times a week for at least one year, ranging from 18 to 35 years old participated in this stud. In the initial session, the loads corresponding to 4-6 repetitions were determined for six exercises: Lat Pull Down (LPD), Barbell Bent Over Row (BBOR), Dumbbell Row (DR), Barbell Pull Over (BPO), Dumbbell Reverse Fly (DRF), and Dumbbell Concentration Curl (DCC). In the subsequent session, EMG activity was measured for eight agonist and synergist muscles during these exercises. Post-exercise, participants rated their perceived muscle activation for three targeted muscles in each exercise on modified RPE sale which includes a 1-10 scale. Data analysis was conducted with repeated measures ANOVAs and Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis. Our results indicated that one of two synergist muscles consistently demonstrated higher activity levels. Interestingly, no difference in activity was observed between primary and secondary (or synergist) muscles across all exercises. The ratings of the perceived activation among the muscles during the entire exercises vary between 5 and 9 points. Most importantly, no significant correlation was found between the perceived activation rate and the EMG level for any exercise. In conclusion, our findings suggest that despite differential muscle activity during specific exercises, self-reported muscle activation may not accurately correspond to actual muscle activation. This highlights the potential limitations of relying on perceived muscle activation as a sole gauge of training intensity.</p><p><br></p>