Effect of foot type on electromyographic characteristics and synergy of selected lower limb muscles during running

Abstract

Background The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of foot structure on the electromyography factors and the synergy of the selected muscles of the lower extremity. Methods The activity of eight lower limb muscles during running was recorded at 3.3 m/s from 60 beginner runners with different foot structures during running. Also, muscle synergies were extracted using non-negative matrix factorization algorithm. Results The results showed that there were differences between groups with different foot type in muscle activity under different phases of running in some muscles. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the number of synergies was similar in different groups and the relative weight of muscles was not different across groups. Conclusion Despite the difference in muscle activity under different phases of the running cycle, muscle synergies are similar among the groups. This can indicate similar control by the central nervous system in runners with different arch structures while running and the observed changes in muscle activity can be attributed to the type of forces exerted on the body, the length-tension relationship, and changes in the direction of the lower limbs in people with different arch structures.