Investigation of electromyography of major muscle groups while hiking out during sailing on both land and water.

• Main Authors: Tan, Ritchie Chun Chuan;, Liao, Kin;, Xie, Wei;, Toh, Jared Jun Yong.
• Other Authors: Liao Kin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Human anatomy and physiology::Human histology; DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45640
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The purpose of this study is to compare the Electromyographic (EMG) readings of muscle activation while hiking out on both land and water. This study aims to determine if there is a significant difference between EMG readings conducted in laboratory conditions as well as on water when the subject is hiking out while sailing. Muscle groups tested in this study were the Rectus Femoris, Vastus Laterialis and the Tibialis Anterior groups. EMG readings were taken and expressed as a percentage of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) baseline from the subject to determine the rate of muscle contraction. Hiking angle has an effect on EMG activity of the quadriceps muscle and the greater the hiking angle, the higher the EMG activity. Also, it appears that VL muscles were a greater contributor of hiking technique than RF muscles and according to the water hiking test, appears to fatigue more easily. Percentage of maximal voluntary contraction was more prominent in the water hiking tests as compared to the static hiking tests, with values ranging from 3-17% on water compared to 5-15% on land. Mean Median power frequency was higher in the water hiking tests (14-17 Hz) than the static hiking tests (15 - 16 Hz), which suggests more effort was required to hike out on water as compared to land.