Analysis of Lower Muscle Activity on Different Running Conditions

The purpose of this study were (a) to determine muscle (EMG: Electromyogram) activity pattern and individual totally differences effects during three running conditions and (b) to quantify the difference EMG activity for lower limb muscles. There was not enough date for different ground condition with EMG activity less than wearing shoes studies for physical fitness. Within subjects study comparing EMG while running in three different ground conditions; normal blacktop ground, treadmill belt, and sandy road on beach.  Fourteen subjects EMG data were collected in 5 minutes during each conditions separate days. The surface EMG data were collected from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris, with sampling 1kHz digital conversion. The EMG and total activities was calculated in each EMG signals. EMG onset, offset, and integrated values were reported. EMG data were compared for the different conditions using an ANOVA(α=0.05). The finding of this study showed that EMG activities in sand road of running were grater than the other conditions. This study provides evidence that limb muscle activity are controlled not only shoe type but also running condition of ground. It was increasing muscle activity in rectus femoris half again  than treadmill.  Furthermore, greater EMG activity leads to greater energy consumption in sand running than treadmill.