Effects of different sitting postures on maximum lower extremity muscle activation and maximum power in explosive pedaling exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different sitting postures, by change of seat height, on lower extremity muscle activation and maximum power during explosive bicycle pedaling exercises. The subjects performed 5 sec maximum pedaling exercises at three different seat heights. 'High' seat height was defined as 95% of leg length, 'Middle' was 90% and 'Low' was 85%. The results were summarized as follows: A) At 3 revolutions, maximum power at 'High' was significantly higher than that at 'low'. B) Pelvic angle at 'High' was significantly higher than that at 'Low'. C) The maximum extension angle of the knee joint was a significantly high value in descending order of 'High', 'Middle' and 'Low'. D) mEMG of the Erector spinae and Biceps femoris at 'High' was significantly higher than that at 'Low'. E) At 'High', there was a significant correlation between maximum power of 3 revolutions and mEMG in the Gluteus maximus. In addition, maximum power at 3 revolutions tended to correlate with mEMG in the Biceps femoris and Vastus lateralis. These results suggest that in explosive pedaling exercises, different sitting postures by change of seat height, have different influences on hip extension muscle activation and maximum power.