The assessment of the efficacy of the post-exercise muscle recovery modalities using surface electromyography (sEMG)

Anna Mika
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Łukasz Oleksy
Edyta Mikołajczyk
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Anna Marchewka
Katedra Rehabilitacji Klinicznej, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego w Krakowie
Zen Machines Polska
Department of Physiotherapy, University of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland
Katedra Rehabilitacji Klinicznej, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego w Krakowie

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was the evaluation of different relaxation modes (active and passive) efficacy on muscle recovery. It was also assessed if application of various modalities of active recovery (work the same or different muscle groups than those, which were active during fatiguing exercise) allow us to observe significant differences in bioelectrical activity of evaluated muscles, which may suggest that one of them is more effective in elimination of postexercise fatigue.

Material and Methods: Twelve volunteers (age 24–35 years old) participated in this study. The measurements of bioelectrical activity (sEMG) of vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), and rectus femoris (RF) were performed in isokinetic condition at a velocity 90°/s. sEMG was assessed during 3 consecutive visits with one week gap between before fatiguing exercise, after an effort and after application 20 minutes of the recovery mode (run on the treadmill with mild intensity, arm ergometer or passive rest in sitting position).

Results: The earlier onset of VLO i VMO was observed after fatiguing exercise (p0.05). Peak amplitude in VLO and VMO was insignificantly decreased after fatiguing exercise (p>0.05), but after passive recovery significant decrease compared to preexercise (baseline) value was present (p0.05).

Conclusion: Observed after passive recovery earlier onset of evaluated muscles and decrease in peak amplitude, with lack of those changes after active recovery may suggest, that mild active exercise, which remain increased muscular blood flow are more effective in post-exercise muscle recovery than passive rest. The results from this study does not allow us to differentiate the efficacy of two active recovery modes applied.

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