Neuromuscular responses during aquatic resistance exercise with different devices and depths.

Mar 2013

Colado JC, Borreani S, Pinto SS, Tella V, Martin F, Flandez J, Kruel LF.

Source

1Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 2Exercise Research Laboratory, Physical Education School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. 3Austral University of Chile, Faculty of Pedagogy in Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Valdivia, Chile.

Abstract

Little research has been reported regarding the effects of using different devices and immersion depths during the performance of resistance exercises in a water environment. The purpose of this study was to compare muscular activation of upper extremity and core muscles during shoulder extensions performed at maximum velocity with different devices and at different depths. Volunteers (N=24) young fit male university students performed 3 repetitions of shoulder extensions at maximum velocity using 4 different devices and at 2 different depths. Maximum amplitude of the electromyographic root mean square of the latissimus dorsi (LD), rectus abdominis (RA) and erector lumbar spinae (ES) was recorded. Electromyographic signals were normalized to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. No significant differences were found in the neuromuscular responses between the different devices used during the performance of shoulder extension at xiphoid process depth. Regarding comparisons of muscle activity between the two depths analyzed in the present study, only the LD showed significantly (p≤0.05) higher activity at xiphoid process depth compared to clavicle depth. Therefore, if maximum muscle activation of the extremities is required, the xiphoid depth is a better choice than clavicle depth, and the kind of device is not relevant. Regarding core muscles, neither the kind of device nor the immersion depth modify muscle activation.

PubMed