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Electromyographic signal and force comparisons during maximal voluntary isometric contraction in water and on dry land

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Abstract

This study was designed to compare surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal and force production during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVCs) in water and on dry land. The reproducibility of sEMG and isometric force measurements between water and dry land environments was also assessed. Nine women performed MVC for elbow flexion and extension, hip flexion, and extension against identical fixed resistance in both environments. The sEMG signal from biceps brachii, triceps brachii, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris was recorded with waterproof adhesives placed over each electrode. The sEMG and force production showed no significant difference between water and dry land, except for HEX (p = 0.035). In addition, intraclass correlation coefficient values were significant and ranged from moderate to high (0.66–0.96) for sEMG and force production between environments. These results showed that the environment did not influence the sEMG and force in MVC.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by CAPES and CNPq. The authors wish to thank MIOTEC for their great contribution to this study.

Conflict of interest

We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication, and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.

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Correspondence to Stephanie Santana Pinto.

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Communicated by Toshio Moritani.

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Pinto, S.S., Liedtke, G.V., Alberton, C.L. et al. Electromyographic signal and force comparisons during maximal voluntary isometric contraction in water and on dry land. Eur J Appl Physiol 110, 1075–1082 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1598-0

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