Interlimb and Intralimb Coordination of Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris Muscles at Different Running Speeds

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spatiotemporal variables and the muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) in both legs at various running speeds. Methods Eighteen well-trained male athletes (age: 20.7 ± 1.8 yr) were asked to run for 50 m with 7 different “subjective efforts (SE)” (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, 95%, and 100% SE). SE scaled relative to the maximal effort running (100%). The spatiotemporal variables (running speed, step frequency, step length) were measured over the distance from 30 to 50 m. The RF and BF muscle activities were obtained from both legs with wireless electromyography (EMG) sensors. We calculated RF and BF onset/offset timings in both legs (e.g., ipsilateral leg RF is “iRF,” contralateral leg BF is “cBF”), which were expressed as % of a running cycle. Based on those timings, we obtained the EMG timing variables (%), as Switch1 (iBF offset to iRF onset), Switch2 (iRF offset to iBF onset), Scissors1 (cBF onset to iRF onset), and Scissors2 (iRF offset to cBF offset). Results running speed was well correlated with the SE, and higher running speed (>9 m·s−1) was achieved with higher step frequency (>4.0 Hz). Relative timings of RF and BF onset/offset (%) appeared earlier and later, respectively, with an increase in running speed. The absolute duration of RF activation (s) was elongated with the decrease in absolute running cycle time (increase in running speed). Both Switch and Scissors showed significant negative correlations with running speed and step frequency. Conclusions The RF and BF excitation in both legs, as evidenced by changes in both Switch and Scissors, is coordinated for controlling running speed, as well as step frequency.