Lower limb muscle function during cycling.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the functional role of the lower limb musculature during stationary cycling using electromyography, muscle-tendon unit length changes, and segmental kinematics. Five subjects were filmed (100 Hz) in synchrony with the collection of LE EMG activity of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, soleus, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles during stationary cycling at 160 W (90 r/min). The results showed that extension during the propulsive phase of the pedal cycle was the result of high concentric activity of both the monoarticular and biarticular muscles. Furthermore, these muscles functioned according to their expected anatomical roles (Rasch and Burke, 1978). This investigation, therefore, finds little evidence for the existence of paradoxical muscle function as hypothesized by Lombard (1903), Molbech (1965), or Rasch & Burke (1978).