Contribution of the tendinous tissue to force enhancement during stretch-shortening cycle exercise depends on the prestretch and concentric phase intensities.

When the prestretch intensity and concentric work are increased in stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises, the utilization of the elastic energy can increase during the concentric phase. In order to further understand this process during SSC exercises, the interaction between fascicle-tendinous tissues (TT) of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle was examined under different prestretch and rebound intensity drop jumps. Ten male subjects participated in the study. Direct VL fascicle lengths (N = 10) and in vivo patellar tendon force (N = 1) were measured together with the electromyographic (EMG) activity of VL during the trials. With increasing drop height but the same rebound height condition, the TT stretch increased during the early braking phase with a subsequent increase in its recoil during the early push-off phase. This occurred concomitantly with decreased fascicle shortening and EMG activation. However, with the increased rebound height but the same drop height condition, the fascicles were stretched less during the late braking phase with higher EMG activation. In this situation, TT could be stretched more by the tension provided by fascicles. Consequently, the TT recoil increased during the late push-off phase. These observations confirm that there can be an intensity specific fascicle-TT interaction during SSC exercises.     

Functional and architectural complexity within and between muscles: regional variation and intermuscular force transmission

Over the past 30 years, studies of single muscles have revealed complex patterns of regional variation in muscle architecture, activation, strain and force. In addition, muscles are often functionally integrated with other muscles in parallel or in series. Understanding the extent of this complexity and the interactions between muscles will profoundly influence how we think of muscles in relation to organismal function, and will allow us to address questions regarding the functional benefits (or lack thereof) and dynamics of this complexity under in vivo conditions. This paper has two main objectives. First, we present a cohesive and integrative review of regional variation in function within muscles, and discuss the functional ramifications that can stem from this variation. This involves splitting regional variation into passive and active components. Second, we assess the functional integration of muscles between different limb segments by presenting new data involving in vivo measurements of activation and strain from the medial gastrocnemius, iliotibialis cranialis and iliotibialis lateralis pars preacetabularis of the helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) during level running on a motorized treadmill. Future research directions for both of these objectives are presented.     

Influence of gait velocity on gastrocnemius muscle fascicle behaviour during stair negotiation

The gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle plays an important role in stair negotiation. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of cadence on GM muscle fascicle behaviour during stair ascent and descent. Ten male subjects (young adults) walked up and down a four-step staircase (with forceplates embedded in the steps) at three velocities (63, 88 and 116 steps/min). GM muscle fascicle length was measured using ultrasonography. In addition, kinematic and kinetic data of the lower legs, and GM electromyography (EMG) were measured. For both ascent and descent, the amount of fascicular shortening, shortening velocity, knee moment, ground reaction force and EMG activity increased monotonically with gait velocity. The ankle moment increased up to 88 steps/min where it reached a plateau. The lack of increase in ankle moment coinciding with further shortening of the fascicles can be explained by an increased shortening of the GM musculotendon complex (MTC), as calculated from the knee and ankle angle changes, between 88 and 116 steps/min only. For descent, the relative instant of maximum shortening, which occurred during touch down, was delayed at higher gait velocities, even to the extent that this event shifted from the double support to the single support phase.     

Behaviour of triceps surae muscle-tendon complex in different jump conditions

The force-length relationship of the human muscle-tendon complex (MTC) of the triceps surae and the achilles tendon was investigated in various stretch load conditions. Six male subjects performed various vertical jumps with maximal effort: squat jumps (SJ), counter movement jumps (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ) from a height of 24 cm, 40 cm and 56 cm. The force-length relationship was calculated from the signals of the components of the ground reaction forces and the kinematic data obtained from the high-speed film records. Surface electromyograms (EMG) of the soleus, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were also recorded. The force-length diagrams showed individually high sensitivity to the imposed stretch load. In conditions with relatively low stretch load requirements there was a counter-clockwise direction observable, indicating that the energy absorbed during the eccentric, or lengthening phase was lower than the energy delivered during the concentric, or shortening phase. In high load conditions this relationship was reversed indicating a negative energy balance. The EMG-length diagrams of SJ and CMJ consisted of an initial isometric loading of the muscle, followed by a shortening phase with only slightly reduced EMG amplitudes. In DJ, however, the diagrams showed an initial lengthening of the MTC with fairly constant activation amplitudes. After 40 ms an isometric loading of the muscle, lasting for approximately 80 ms, was followed by a shortening phase. It was concluded that segmental stretch reflex activation represented the predominant activation process during the isometric loading phase, to meet the adequate stiffness properties of the MTC.     

Interaction between fascicle and tendinous tissues in short-contact stretch-shortening cycle exercise with varying eccentric intensities.

The interaction between fascicle and tendinous tissues (TT) in short-contact drop jumps (DJ) with three different drop heights [low (Low), optimal (OP), and high (High)] was examined with 11 subjects. The ground reaction force (F(z)) and ankle and knee joint angles were measured together with real-time ultrasonography (fascicle length) and electromyographic activities of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during the movement. With increasing drop height, the braking force and flight time increased from Low to OP (P < 0.05). In High, the braking force increased but the flight time decreased compared with OP (P < 0.05). During contact of Low and OP conditions, the length of muscle-tendon unit and TT underwent lengthening before shortening in both MG and VL muscles. However, the two muscles differed in the fascicle behaviors. The MG fascicles behaved isometrically or shortened, and the VL fascicles underwent lengthening before shortening during contact. In High, the TT lengthening in both muscles decreased compared with OP (P < 0.05). The rapid stretch occurred in the MG fascicles but not in VL fascicles during the braking phase. The elastic recoil ratio decreased in both muscles with increasing the intensity during DJ. These findings demonstrated that TT underwent lengthening before shortening during DJ. However, the efficacy of elastic recoil decreased with increasing the drop intensity. The effective catapult action in TT can be limited by the drop intensity. In addition, the measured muscles behaved differently during DJ, providing evidence that each muscle may have a specific means of fascicle-TT interaction.     

Mechanical and morphological properties of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit in old and young adults and their interaction with a submaximal fatiguing contraction.

The purposes of this study were to examine (a) whether the morphological properties of the muscle gastrocnemius medialis (GM) contribute to the known enhanced muscle fatigue resistance during submaximal sustained isometric plantar flexion contraction of old compared to young adults and (b) whether a submaximal fatiguing contraction differently affects the mechanical properties of the GM tendon and aponeurosis of old and young adults. Fourteen old and 12 young male subjects performed maximal voluntary isometric plantar flexions (MVC) on a dynamometer before and after a submaximal fatiguing task (40% MVC). Moments and EMG signals from the gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis, soleus and tibialis anterior muscles were measured. The elongation of the GM tendon and aponeurosis and the morphological properties of its contractile element were examined by means of ultrasonography. The old adults showed lower maximal ankle joint moment, stiffness and fascicle length in both tested conditions. The submaximal fatiguing contraction did not affect the force-strain relationship of the GM tendon and aponeurosis of either young or old adults. The time to task failure was longer for the old adults and was strongly correlated with the fascicle length (r(2)=0.50, P<0.001). This provides evidence on that the lower ratio of the active muscle volume to muscle force for the old adults might be an additional mechanism contributing to the known age related increase in muscle fatigue resistance.     

In vivo behaviour of human muscle architecture and mechanomyographic response using the interpolated twitch technique

This study investigated the origin of curvilinear change in the superimposed mechanomyogram (MMG) amplitude of the human medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) with increasing contraction intensity. The superimposed twitch amplitude, the superimposed MMG amplitude and the extent of fascicle shortening were measured using ultrasonic images of electrical stimulation during isometric plantar flexions at levels 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The superimposed twitch amplitude, the superimposed MMG amplitude and the extent of fascicle shortening decreased with increasing contraction intensity. The superimposed MMG amplitude and the extent of fascicle shortening showed a curvilinear decrease, while the superimposed twitch amplitude showed a linear decrease at levels up to 80% of the MVC. There was a linear relationship between the superimposed MMG amplitude and the extent of fascicle shortening at different contraction intensities. These results indicate that the superimposed MMG amplitude reflects changes in the extent of fascicle shortening at different contraction intensities better than the superimposed twitch amplitude. Our study suggests that the origin of the curvilinear decrease of superimposed MMG amplitude is associated with a curvilinear decrease of the extent of fascicle shortening with increasing contraction intensity in the human MG.     

Effects of 20 days bed rest on muscle morphology

Using ultrasound, muscle thickness and fascicle angles from aponeurosis were evaluated before, during and after 20 days bed rest (BR). Subjects were healthy adults (4 women and 4 men). Measurements were carried out before and after BR and after 10 weeks of recovery, respectively. Muscle measurements were taken at nine sites in trunk and upper and lower extremities, respectively. For the m. triceps brachii, m. vastus lateralis, and m. gastrocnemius medialis, fascicle angles from the aponeurosis as well as muscle thickness were measured. There was a high statistical significant correlation between muscle thickness and cross-sectional area for quadriceps muscles, suggesting applicability of muscle thickness for evaluation of muscle size. Muscle thickness decreased in muscles of the lower extremity by 2.1-4.4 % after bed rest. In triceps brachii and vastus lateralis muscles, there were no prominent changes in muscle thickness and fascicle angles. It was concluded that muscle morphology deteriorates with changes in muscle architecture by bed rest but the response is small and muscle-specific. It was also suggested that bed rest affects not only muscle mass but muscle tone as well.     

Sprint performance is related to muscle fascicle length in male 100-m sprinters.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle fascicle length and sprint running performance in 37 male 100-m sprinters. The sample was divided into two performance groups by the personal-best 100-m time: 10.00-10.90 s (S10; n = 22) and 11.00-11.70 s (S11; n = 15). Muscle thickness and fascicle pennation angle of the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis muscles were measured by B-mode ultrasonography, and fascicle length was estimated. Standing height, body weight, and leg length were similar between groups. Muscle thickness was similar between groups for vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis, but S10 had a significantly greater gastrocnemius lateralis muscle thickness. S10 also had a greater muscle thickness in the upper portion of the thigh, which, given similar limb lengths, demonstrates an altered "muscle shape." Pennation angle was always less in S10 than in S11. In all muscles, S10 had significantly greater fascicle length than did S11, which significantly correlated with 100-m best performance (r values from -0.40 to -0.57). It is concluded that longer fascicle length is associated with greater sprinting performance.     

Comparing electro- and mechano-myographic muscle activation patterns in self-paced pediatric gait

Electromyography (EMG) is the standard modality for measuring muscle activity. However, the convenience and availability of low-cost accelerometer-based wearables makes mechanomyography (MMG) an increasingly attractive alternative modality for clinical applications. Literature to date has demonstrated a strong association between EMG and MMG temporal alignment in isometric and isokinetic contractions. However, the EMG-MMG relationship has not been studied in gait. In this study, the concurrence of EMG- and MMG-detected contractions in the tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris muscles were investigated in children during self-paced gait. Furthermore, the distribution of signal power over the gait cycle was statistically compared between EMG-MMG modalities. With EMG as the reference, muscular contractions were detected based on MMG with balanced accuracies between 88 and 94% for all muscles except the gastrocnemius. MMG signal power differed from that of EMG during certain phases of the gait cycle in all muscles except the biceps femoris. These timing and power distribution differences between the two modalities may in part be related to muscle fascicle length changes that are unique to muscle motion during gait. Our findings suggest that the relationship between EMG and MMG appears to be more complex during gait than in isometric and isokinetic contractions.     

Gastrocnemius fascicle length changes with two-joint passive movements

Predicting muscle fascicle length changes during passive movements may lead to a better understanding of muscle function. The purpose of this study was to experimentally compare fascicle length changes in the gastrocnemius during two-joint passive movements with a previously derived kinematic model based on anatomical measures from a cadaver. The ratio of passive ankle to knee motion was manipulated to generate medial gastrocnemius fascicle elongation and lateral gastrocnemius fascicle shortening. Ultrasound images from both heads of the gastrocnemius fascicles were acquired at 10 degrees knee flexion increments and compared with this kinematic model. Our results suggest that the two-joint kinematic model from which we originally based our knee and ankle movements did not adequately reflect fascicle length changes during any of the movement conditions in this study. From our data, we propose that for every degree of ankle motion the medial and lateral gastrocnemius changes 0.42 mm and 0.96 mm, respectively, whereas changes of 0.14 mm and 0.22 mm are observed for the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, respectively, during knee movements.     

Age-related neuromuscular function during drop jumps.

Muscle- and movement-specific fascicle-tendon interaction affects the performance of the neuromuscular system. This interaction is unknown among elderly and consequently contributes to the lack of understanding the age-related problems on neuromuscular control. The present experiment studied the age specificity of fascicle-tendon interaction of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle in drop jump (DJ) exercises. Twelve young and thirteen elderly subjects performed maximal squat jumps and DJs with maximal rebound effort on a sledge apparatus. Ankle and knee joint angles, reaction force, and electromyography (EMG) from the soleus (Sol), GM, and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were measured together with the GM fascicle length by ultrasonography. The results showed that the measured ankle joint stiffness (AJS) during the braking phase correlated positively with the rebound speed in both age groups and that both parameters were significantly lower in the elderly than in young subjects. In both groups, the AJS correlated positively with averaged EMG (aEMG) in Sol during the braking phase and was further associated with GM activation (r = 0.55, P < 0.01) and TA coactivation (TA/GM r = -0.4 P < 0.05) in the elderly subjects. In addition, compared with the young subjects, the elderly subjects showed significantly lower GM aEMG in the braking phase and higher aEMG in the push-off phase, indicating less utilization of tendinous tissue (TT) elasticity. These different activation patterns are in line with the mechanical behavior of GM showing significantly less fascicle shortening and relative TT stretching in the braking phase in the elderly than in the young subjects. These results suggest that age-specific muscle activation patterns as well as mechanical behaviors exist during DJs.     

Electromyographic correlates of the transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism in treadmill running

This study analysed the changes in electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscles during incremental treadmill running. The changes in EMG were related to the lactate and ventilatory thresholds. Ten trained subjects participated in the study. Minute ventilation, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide expired and the fraction of oxygen in the expired gas were recorded continuously. Venous blood samples were collected at each exercise intensity and analysed for lactate concentration. The EMG were recorded at the end of each exercise intensity using surface electrodes. The EMG were quantified through integration (iEMG) and by calculating the mean power frequency (MPF). The iEMG measurements were characterized by a breakpoint in the vastus lateralis and/or gastrocnemius muscles in eight of the subjects tested. However, the results indicated that blood lactate concentrations had already begun to increase in a nonlinear fashion before the iEMG breakpoint had been surpassed. Consequently, the occurence of the lactate threshold cannot be attributed solely to the change in motor unit recruitment or rate coding patterns demonstrated by the iEMG breakpoint. The ventilatory threshold was shown to be a far more reliable and convenient noninvasive predictor of the lactate threshold in comparison with EMG techniques. In conclusion, the EMG measurements used in this study (i.e. iEMG and MPF) were not considered to be viable noninvasive determinants of the aerobic-anaerobic transition phase in treadmill running.     

In vivo vastus lateralis force–velocity relationship at the fascicle and muscle tendon unit level

The force velocity relationship of in vivo human muscle fibers has often been derived from the torque-angular speed relationship during maximal voluntary isokinetic contractions. However, the assumption of a close association between joint performance and muscle mechanics is questionable. We aimed to determine the relationship between knee extension angular speeds, vastus lateralis fascicle and muscle tendon unit (MTU) shortening speeds, and maximal knee extensor force for the entire range of knee joint movement, for the isokinetic range, and for the ranges before, after and at peak torque occurrence, with different commonly used pre-loading conditions. Higher peak forces were observed when knee extensions were preceded by a pre-load, despite the similarity in fascicle shortening speeds. For the entire and the isokinetic range, MTU always shortened faster than fascicles, and this difference increased as joint speed increased. Interestingly, fascicle shortening velocities were greater before compared to after peak torque occurrence while the opposite happened at the MTU level. Assuming a close relationship between joint and fascicle dynamics results in an overestimation of muscle contractile component shortening velocity or force production at peak torque. The force velocity relationships obtained in vivo depend crucially on the test conditions, and the movement range used for analysis.     

Effect of different ankle- and knee-joint positions on gastrocnemius medialis fascicle length and EMG activity during isometric plantar flexion

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence on the fact that the observed decrease in EMG activity of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) at pronounced knee flexed positions is not only due to GM insufficiency, by examining muscle fascicle lengths during maximal voluntary contractions at different positions. Twenty-two male long distance runners (body mass: 78.5+/-6.7 kg, height: 183+/-6 cm) participated in the study. The subjects performed isometric maximal voluntary plantar flexion contractions (MVC) of their left leg at six ankle-knee angle combinations. To examine the resultant ankle joint moments the kinematics of the left leg were recorded using a Vicon 624 system with 8 cameras operating at 120 Hz. The EMG activity of GM, gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TA) were measured using surface electromyography. Synchronously, fascicle length and pennation angle values of the GM were obtained at rest and at the plateau of the maximal plantar flexion using ultrasonography. The main findings were: (a) identifiable differences in fascicle length of the GM at rest do not necessarily imply that these differences would also exist during a maximal isometric plantar flexion contraction and (b) the EMG activity of the biarticular GM during the MVC decreased at a pronounced flexed knee-joint position (up to 110 degrees ) despite of no differences in GM fascicle length. It is suggested that the decrease in EMG activity of the GM at pronounced knee flexed positions is due to a critical force-length potential of all three muscles of the triceps surae.     

Correlation of muscle function and bone strain in the hindlimb of the river cooter turtle (Pseudemys concinna)

During terrestrial locomotion, limb muscles must generate mechanical work and stabilize joints against the ground reaction force. These demands can require high force production that imposes substantial loads on limb bones. To better understand how muscle contractile function influences patterns of bone loading in terrestrial locomotion, and refine force platform equilibrium models used to estimate limb bone safety factors, we correlated in vivo recordings of femoral strain with muscle activation and strain in a major propulsive hindlimb muscle, flexor tibialis internus (FTI), of a species with a published model of hindlimb force production (river cooter turtles, Pseudemys concinna). Electromyography (EMG) recordings indicate FTI activity prior to footfall that continues through approximately 50% of the stance phase. Large EMG bursts occur just after footfall when the muscle has reached its maximum length and is beginning to actively shorten, concurrent with increasing compressive strain on the anterior femur. The FTI muscle shortens through 35% of stance, with mean fascicle shortening strains reaching 14.0 ± 5.4% resting length (L₀). At the time of peak compressive strains on the femur, the muscle fascicles remain active, but fascicles typically lengthen until mid‐stance as the knee extends. Influenced by the activity of the dorsal knee extensor femorotibialis, the FTI muscle continues to passively lengthen simultaneously with knee extension and a shift to tensile axial strain on the anterior femur at approximately 40% of stance. The near coincidence in timing of peak compressive bone strain and peak muscle shortening (5.4 ± 4.1% stance) indicates a close correlation between the action of the hip extensor/knee flexor, FTI, and femoral loading in the cooter hindlimb. In the context of equilibrium models of limb bone loading, these results may help explain differences in safety factor estimates observed between previous force platform and in vivo strain analyses in cooters. J. Morphol. 274:1060–1069, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Influence of muscle-tendon unit structure on rate of force development during the squat, countermovement, and drop jumps

Previous research has highlighted the importance of muscle and tendon structure to stretch shortening cycle performance. However, the relationships between muscle and tendon structure to performance are highly dependent on the speed and intensity of the movement. The purpose of this study was to determine if muscle and tendon structure is associated with the rate of force development (RFD) throughout static squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DJ; 30-cm height). Twenty-five strength- and power-trained men participated in the study. Using ultrasonography, vastus lateralis (VL) and gastrocnemius (GAS) pennation (PEN) and fascicle length (FL), and Achilles tendon (AT) thickness and length were measured. Subjects then performed SJ, CMJ, and DJ, during which RFD was calculated over time 5 distinct time intervals. During CMJs, early RFD could be predicted between 0 and 10 milliseconds by both GAS-FL (r2 = 0.213, β = 0.461) and AT-length (r2 = 0.191, β = 20.438). Between 10 and 30 milliseconds GAS-FL was a significant predictor of CMJ-RFD (r2 = 0.218, β = 0.476). During DJ, initial RFD (0-10 milliseconds) could be significantly predicted by GAS-FL (r2 = 0.185, β = 20.434), VL-PEN (r2 = 0.189, β = 0.435), and GAS-PEN (r2 = 0.188, β = 0.434). These findings suggest that longer ATs may have increased elasticity, which can decrease initial RFD during CMJ; thus, their use in talent identification is not recommended. The GAS fascicle length had an intensity-dependent relationship with RFD, serving to positively predict RFD during early CMJs and an inverse predictor during early DJs. During DDJs, subjects with greater PEN were better able to redirected initial impact forces. Although both strength and plyometric training have been shown to increase FL, only heavy strength training has been shown to increase PEN. Thus, when a high eccentric load or multiple jumps are required, heavy strength training might be used to elicit muscular adaptations that are suited to fast force production during jumping.     

Technique for interpretation of electromyography for concentric and eccentric contractions in gait

We present a technique to combine muscle shortening and lengthening velocity information with electromyographic (EMG) profiles during gait. A biomechanical model was developed so that each muscle's length could be readily calculated over time as a function of angles of the joints it crossed. The velocity of shortening and lengthening of the muscle fiber was then calculated, and with computer graphics this information was overlaid on the EMG profiles. Thus, researchers and clinicians were not only able to interpret the processed EMG signal as level of activity (tension) but also to gain insight as to the muscles' role as generators (muscle shortening) or absorbers (muscle lengthening) of energy. Six common muscles are documented, using database profiles; soleus (SOL), medial gastrocnemius (MG), tibialis anterior (TA), vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and semitendinosus (ST). The protocol thus demonstrates a relatively simple technique for calculating muscle fiber velocity and for combining that velocity information with EMG activity profiles.     

Muscle activation patterns of selected lower extremity muscles during stepping and cutting tasks

Lower extremity muscle activations during crossover and side step cut tasks are hypothesized to play an important role in controlling knee motion, and therefore, impact the design of knee injury prevention and rehabilitation programs. However, the contribution of lower extremity muscles to frontal and transverse plane moments during cutting tasks is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activation patterns of selected lower extremity muscles (vastus lateralis, medial/lateral hamstrings and medial/lateral gastrocnemius) of subjects performing a stepping down and side step cut, a stepping down and crossover cut and an equivalent straight ahead task. Ground reaction force was used to determine the cut angle, stance time and compare the lower limb loading during each task. Electromyography data during all tasks were normalized to the average activation during the straight ahead tasks to determine relative changes in muscle activation between the straight ahead and different cut styles (crossover and side step). There were no differences in the pattern of muscle activation of the vastus lateralis, or lateral hamstring muscles when comparing the cutting tasks to the equivalent straight ahead task. However, the crossover cut task resulted in significantly higher muscle activation of the medial hamstrings and lateral gastrocnemius muscles relative to both the side step cut and straight ahead tasks. These results suggest the medial/lateral hamstrings and medial/lateral gastrocnemius play a role in transverse and frontal plane control during cut tasks.     

Does using an ejector chair affect muscle activation patterns in rheumatoid arthritic patients? A preliminary investigation.

The present study examined knee and arm extensor muscle activation patterns displayed by 12 elderly female rheumatoid arthritic patients (mean age = 65.5 +/- 8.6 yr) rising from an instrumented Eser ejector chair under four conditions: high seat (540 mm), low seat (450 mm), with and without ejector assistance. Electromyographic (EMG) signals were sampled (1000 Hz) for vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF) and triceps brachii (TB) using a Noraxon Telemyo System (bandwidth 0-340 Hz). Muscle onset, offset and peak activity relative to loss of seat contact (SS), and integrated EMG, were calculated for each muscle burst before SS. A high seat significantly (p < or = 005) decreased VL and TB intensity but did not change muscle activation patterns compared with rising from a low seat. Ejector assistance significantly increased VM and RF burst duration and RF intensity but had no effect on vastii muscle intensity. It was concluded that concerns pertaining to muscle disuse when rising with ejector assistance were unfounded in the present study. However, further research is required to investigate the effects of habitual use of a mechanical ejector device on muscle activation patterns.