Electromyographic comparison of conventional machine strength training versus bodyweight exercises in patients with chronic stroke

Jonas Vinstrup, Joaquin Calatayud, Markus D. Jakobsen, Emil Sundstrup, Kenneth Jay, Mikkel Brandt, Peter Zeeman, Jørgen R. Jørgensen, Lars L. Andersen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether bodyweight exercises can induce comparable levels of muscle activity as conventional machine exercises in chronic stroke patients.

METHODS: Eighteen patients performed three repetitions of bilateral- and unilateral machine leg press and the bodyweight exercises chair rise and hip thrust. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from 10 lower extremity muscles and normalized to maximal EMG (nEMG) of the non-paretic leg.

RESULTS: For the paretic leg, the bodyweight exercises showed comparable levels of nEMG in 6 out of 10 muscles compared with the bilateral leg press. Vastus lateralis nEMG was higher during bilateral leg press compared with hip thrust (38% [95% CI 33-42] vs. 10% [95% CI 6-15], p < 0.0001) and chair rise (38% [95% CI 33-42] vs. 27% [95% CI 22-32], p < 0.0001). Vastus medialis nEMG was higher during bilateral leg press compared with hip thrust (34% [95%CI 27-40] vs. 8% [95% CI 2-15], p < 0.0001). Unilateral leg press showed higher nEMG compared with bilateral leg press in biceps femoris (28% [95% CI 23-34] vs. 19% [95% CI 13-24], p = 0.0009), gluteus maximus (32% [95% CI 23-41] vs. 25% [95% CI 16-34], p < 0.05), and vastus medialis (42% [95% CI 36-48] vs. 34% [95% CI 27-40], p = 0.0013).

DISCUSSION: In patients with chronic stroke, bodyweight exercises activate the majority of the lower limb muscles to comparable levels as bilateral leg press performed in machine. In addition, unilateral leg press was superior to the bilateral leg press and both bodyweight exercises.

Original languageEnglish
JournalTopics in Stroke Rehabilitation
Volume24
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)242– 249
ISSN1074-9357
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Electromyographic comparison of conventional machine strength training versus bodyweight exercises in patients with chronic stroke'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this