title: Muscle activation in young men during a lower limb aquatic resistance exercise with different devices.
abstract: Little research has been reported on the effects of using different devices with resistance exercises in a water environment. This study compared muscular activation of lower extremity and core muscles during leg adduction performed at maximum velocity with drag and floating devices of different sizes. A total of 24 young men (mean age 23.20 ± 1.18 years) performed 3 repetitions of leg adduction at maximum velocity using 4 different devices (ie, large/small and drag/floating). The maximum amplitude of the electromyographic root mean square of the adductor longus, rectus abdominis, external oblique on the dominant side, external oblique on the nondominant side, and erector lumbar spinae were recorded. Electromyographic signals were normalized to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Unexpectedly, no significant (P > 0.05) differences were found in the neuromuscular responses among the different devices used; the average activation of agonist muscle adequate for neuromuscular conditioning was 40.95% of MVIC. In addition, external oblique activation is greater on the contralateral side to stabilize the body (average, 151.74%; P < 0.05). Therefore, if maximum muscle activation is required, the kind of device is not relevant. Thus, the choice should be based on economic factors.
authors.affiliation: Research Group in Sport and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Sebastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borreani
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Colado
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furio
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tella
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D004867:Equipment Design; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014867:Water