Electromyographic activity using Elastic Resistance and Nautilus Machine exercises

The purpose of this study, therefore, was to quantify and compare Integrated Electromyography (I-EMG) within perfuming 8-RM seated knee extension in contribution of elastic resistance and nautilus machine exercises. All data were collected within one testing session. Subjects completed 8-RM seated knee extension by three modalities of resistance exercises comprised of nautilus machine (NM), elastic tubing with original elongation (E0%) and elastic tubing with 30% decrement of original elongation (E30%). Electromyographic muscle activation and range of motion were collected and synchronized from vastus lateralis (VL). Results: manipulating the resting length of elastic resistance resulted in significantly higher I-EMG for E30% in compare with E0% (25% increasing muscle activation); however, no significant difference observed between E30% and NM (P = 0.443). Based on these results, it seems that shortened form of elastic exercise (E30%) and NM exercises offer equivalent muscle activation. Thus, they could be used interchangeably for lower body strength development.