Electromyographic evaluation of joint angle specificity and cross-training after isometric training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unilateral strength training on the strength and integrated electromyogram (IEMG) of the trained and untrained limbs at several joint angles. A training group [TRN; 4 females and 3 males, age 22 +/- 4 yr (SD)] exercised for 6 wk with isometric leg extensions at 80% of maximal isometric torque. A control group (3 females and 3 males, age 24 +/- 4 yr) did not exercise. The training was performed three times per week at 0.79 rad below the horizontal plane. The subjects were tested at joint angles of 0.00, 0.26, 0.79, 1.31, and 1.57 rad. Bipolar surface electrodes were used to record the IEMG of the vastus lateralis. The results indicated a cross-training effect and joint angle specificity for isometric torque in TRN only, with significant (P < 0.0005) increases in torque (collapsed across limb) at 0.26 (23.3%) and 0.79 (22.3%) rad. There was a dissociation, however, between changes in torque and IEMG with an increase (P < 0.05) in IEMG (collapsed across limb and angle) for TRN. The dissociation between the IEMG and strength changes was possibly due to differential responses to training in the four muscles of the quadriceps femoris.