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Elastic resistance bands require little space, are light and portable, but their efficacy has not yet been established for several resistance exercises. The main objective of this study was to compare the muscle activation levels induced by elastic resistance bands versus conventional resistance training equipment (dumbbells) in the upper-body resistance exercises flyes and reverse flyes. The level of muscle activation was measured with surface electromyography in 29 men and women in a cross-over design where resistance loadings with elastic resistance bands and dumbbells were matched using 10-repetition maximum loadings. Elastic resistance bands induced slightly lower muscle activity in the muscles most people aim to activate during flyes and reverse flies, namely pectoralis major and deltoideus posterior, respectively. However, elastic resistance bands increased the muscle activation level substantially in perceived ancillary muscles, that is deltoideus anterior in flyes, and deltoideus medius and trapezius descendens in reverse flyes, possibly due to elastic bands being a more unstable resistance modality. Overall, the results show that elastic resistance bands can be considered a feasible alternative to dumbbells in flyes and reverse flyes.
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Journal of Human Kinetics volume 61/2018, 5-13 DOI: 10.1515/hukin-2017-0137 5
Section I – Kinesiology
1 - Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
2 - Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
3 - Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
.
Authors submitted their contribution to the article to the editorial board.
Accepted for printing in the Journal of Human Kinetics vol. 61/2018 in March 2018.
Muscle Activity in Upper-Body Single-Joint Resistance Exercises
with Elastic Resistance Bands vs. Free Weights
by
Ronny Bergquist1, Vegard Moe Iversen2, Paul J Mork2, Marius Steiro Fimland1, 3
Elastic resistance bands require little space, are light and portable, but their efficacy has not yet been
established for several resistance exercises. The main objective of this study was to compare the muscle activation levels
induced by elastic resistance bands versus conventional resistance training equipment (dumbbells) in the upper-body
resistance exercises flyes and reverse flyes. The level of muscle activation was measured with surface electromyography
in 29 men and women in a cross-over design where resistance loadings with elastic resistance bands and dumbbells
were matched using 10-repetition maximum loadings. Elastic resistance bands induced slightly lower muscle activity
in the muscles most people aim to activate during flyes and reverse flies, namely pectoralis major and deltoideus
posterior, respectively. However, elastic resistance bands increased the muscle activation level substantially in perceived
ancillary muscles, that is deltoideus anterior in flyes, and deltoideus medius and trapezius descendens in reverse flyes,
possibly due to elastic bands being a more unstable resistance modality. Overall, the results show that elastic resistance
bands can be considered a feasible alternative to dumbbells in flyes and reverse flyes.
Key words: electromyography, resistance training, pectoralis muscles, deltoid muscle.
Introduction
Regular resistance training provides
several health benefits (Chodzko-Zajko et al.,
2009; Kristensen and Franklyn-Miller, 2012;
Williams et al., 2007). However, limitations
associated with conventional resistance training
equipment might restrain therapists, patients and
the general population from using this form of
exercise. Barbells, dumbbells, weight-plates and
resistance training machines are heavy, stationary
and require space. Moreover, many people do not
have the interest or opportunity to exercise at a
fitness center.
An alternative way of performing
resistance training is by using elastic bands, which
require little space and are light and portable.
When barbells, dumbbells or conventional
training machines are used, external resistance
does not change during the range of motion,
while elastic resistance provided by elastic bands
will increase with elongation of the band
(Patterson et al., 2001).
Several studies have used surface
electromyography (EMG) to compare muscle
activation in resistance exercises using both elastic
and conventional resistance. Some of these
suggest that when relative resistance is matched –
the same percentage of one-repetition maximum -
similar levels of muscle activation can be achieved
for the prime movers (Aboodarda et al., 2011;
Andersen et al., 2010; Brandt et al., 2013;
Calatayud et al., 2014; Jakobsen et al., 2012;
Jakobsen et al., 2014), whereas others have found
conventional resistance to be the favorable
modality (Sundstrup et al., 2014; Vinstrup et al.,
2015; Vinstrup et al., 2015).
The muscular activation patterns have
been found to differ between elastic bands and
conventional resistance training exercises, with
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Journal of Human Kinetics - volume 61/2018 http://www.johk.pl
higher muscle activity for conventional and elastic
resistance in different phases of the contraction.
Generally, muscle activity induced by
conventional equipment is higher than from
elastic resistance early in the concentric phase of
the contraction, while towards the end – when the
band is elongated - muscle activity levels are more
similar. However, this is affected by the “sticking
point” of the exercise in question. The sticking
point is commonly known as the point in the
range-of-motion (ROM) where one experiences a
disproportionally large increase in the difficulty to
complete the movement (van den Tillaar and
Ettema, 2009), and is the performance bottleneck
in a resistance exercise (Kompf and Arandjelovic,
2016). In movements where the sticking point
occurs in the early phase of the concentric ROM
with conventional resistance one might assume
that the sticking point occurs later in the
movement phase with elastic bands, due to the
gradually increasing external resistance, but to
our knowledge this has not been experimentally
verified.
This study compares the single-joint flyes
and reverse flyes exercises using dumbbells
versus elastic bands. The fly primarily targets
muscles in the chest, while reverse flyes primarily
targets the posterior shoulder muscles.
Furthermore, the fly is an exercise where the
sticking point is early in the concentric phase with
dumbbells, due to the high leverage created by
the arms in this position. For reverse flyes the
sticking point will occur towards the end of the
concentric ROM for both dumbbells and the
elastic band, as the leverage will be highest here.
Thus, we hypothesized that overall EMG levels
would be comparable between the modalities, yet
higher EMG levels would be induced by elastic
bands than dumbbells in the late concentric and
early eccentric phase in flyes, but not in reverse
flyes where we expected similar activation for
dumbbells and elastic bands throughout the
movement.
Methods
Participants
Twenty-nine healthy subjects including 17
men (age 26 ± 3 years, body height 180 ± 7 cm,
body mass 75.6 ± 11.2 kg) and 12 women (age 25 ±
2 years, body height 168 ± 7 cm, body mass 60.2 ±
7.4 kg) were enrolled in the study. Ten of the
participants reported to have previous experience
with structured strength training. The study
conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki and the
study protocol was approved by the Regional
Committee for Medical and Health Research
Ethics in central Norway (project no: 2014/1157).
All subjects signed informed consent before
participating in the study.
Measures
10-RM
All participants attended two
familiarization and strength assessment sessions.
In these sessions, they performed a 10-RM test
protocol, where we identified the load the
participants were able to perform 10 repetitions
with but not more, in order to match the load
from the elastic bands with that of the dumbbells
for subsequent muscle activation comparisons.
EMG
EMG signals were sampled using self-
adhesive, gel-coated electrodes with a centre-to-
centre distance of 25 mm (Blue Sensor, M-00-S,
Ambu A/S, Ballerup, Denmark). Before electrode
placement, the skin was abraded and washed
with alcohol. Electrodes were placed on the
participant’s dominant side, and placement
followed Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the Non-
Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM)
recommendations (http://www.seniam.org). For
the pectoralis major, the electrodes were placed ~4
cm medial to the axillary fold (Schick et al., 2010),
and for the latissimus dorsi, the electrodes were
placed ~1 cm lateral to the inferior border of the
scapula (Lehman et al., 2004). The EMG signal
was recorded through shielded wires to the EMG
system (MuscleLab 4020e, Ergotest Technology
AS, Langesund, Norway). A pre-amplifier near
the recording site was used to minimize external
noise, with a common mode rejection ratio of 100
dB. The signal was filtered using a fourth-order
Butterworth band-pass filter with a bandwidth of
8-600 Hz. A hardware circuit network was used to
convert the filtered EMG signals, with a frequency
response of 0-600 kHz, averaging constant of 100
ms, and total error of ±0.5%. The root-mean-
square (RMS) signal was then sampled at 100 Hz
with a 16-bit A/D converter (AD637).
EMG was recorded during the exercises
and maximal voluntary isometric contractions for
the following muscles: biceps brachii, deltoideus
anterior, deltoideus medius, deltoideus posterior,
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trapezius descendens, latissimus dorsi, and
pectoralis major. The procedure for maximal
voluntary contraction testing was standardized,
and two tests were performed for each muscle.
Participants were instructed to gradually increase
force to a maximal level within 2-3 s and exert
maximal force until told to stop. Each test lasted 5
s. Standardized strong verbal encouragement was
given to all participants. A second maximal
voluntary contraction was performed 1 min after
ending the first one, and the test with the highest
recorded EMG signal for each muscle was used
for normalization of the EMG signals during the
exercises.
To measure EMG in the different phases
of contraction, a linear encoder was used and
synchronized with the EMG signals (sampling
frequency of 100 Hz, resolution of 0.075 mm; ET-
Enc-02, Ergotest Technology AS, Langesund,
Norway). The linear encoder was placed on the
floor during flyes and reverse flyes when
performed with free-weight resistance. During
flyes and reverse flyes performed with elastic
resistance, the linear encoder was attached to the
wall close to the attachment point of the elastic
band.
Commercial software was used for
analyzing the RMS EMG and position signals
(MuscleLab v8.13, Ergotest Technology AS,
Langesund, Norway). The start and the end of
each contraction was identified from the position
data. The range of motion of 10-90% in the
concentric and eccentric phases was used in EMG
analysis. This time window was then split in two
equal phases constituting the first and the second
half of the concentric (denoted as CON1 and
CON2) and eccentric (denoted as ECC1 and
ECC2) phase of a contraction. Mean RMS EMG
values in these time windows were calculated and
averaged from two contractions in each series of
three. For the concentric phase, the last two
contractions were used, while for the eccentric
phase the first two contractions were considered.
The reason for such proceeding was that the
start/stop point was difficult to identify in the
concentric and eccentric phase of the first and last
repetition, respectively. The mean RMS EMG
obtained during CON1, ECC1, CON2, and ECC2
was then normalized to the maximal EMG signal
obtained during the maximal voluntary
contraction tests for all muscles, yielding
%EMGmax.
Rating of perceived exertion
Before testing, the participants were
explained how to use the Borg CR10 scale
(Saeterbakken and Fimland, 2013). Immediately
after performing 10-RM, the participants were
asked to rate their perceived exertion. It had
previously been demonstrated that a moderate to
strong relation existed between ratings on the
Borg CR10, actual loading, and muscle activity
levels from elastic bands and dumbbells
(Andersen et al., 2010).
Procedures
All participants attended four sessions in
total. The 10-RM protocol was performed in
session one and two, using elastic bands on one
day and dumbbells the other day. The
participants were instructed to abstain from
strength exercise for at least three consecutive
days before the 10-RM tests. Prior to the 10-RM
test, a demonstration of correct execution was
given, and the participants practiced the
technique until it could be performed properly.
Subsequently, the load was gradually increased.
Before making larger increments, at least two sets
at relatively low resistance had to be performed.
To avoid muscle fatigue, participants were
encouraged to stop if the load felt easy enough to
perform more than 10 repetitions. With elastic
resistance, the load was manipulated by changing
and/or increasing the number of bands and/or by
changing the distance between the participant and
the anchor point. The combination of bands and
distance was recorded for all participants so that
the load could be replicated for the EMG and
motion sampling. As the manufacturer
recommended, the elastic bands were pre-
stretched and never stretched to >300% of resting
length.
In sessions three and four, the participants
performed maximum voluntary contractions,
before proceeding with EMG measurements
during exercise. As a warm-up, they performed a
set of 10 repetitions at 50% of the 10-RM load. A
linear encoder was attached to the participants’
dominant hand, and the metronome was set to 60
beats per minute. Participants then performed
three repetitions with the 10-RM load, using 2 s
each on the concentric and eccentric phase. Flyes
were tested before reverse flyes, and exercises
with dumbbells were performed before the ones
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with elastic bands. When performing flyes and
reverse flyes with dumbbells, the participant lay
on a bench (Impulse Sterling FID bench, Impulse
Fitness, Newbridge, Midlothian, Scotland). The
dumbbells used were rubber coated iron
dumbbells ranging from 1 to 25 kg, with intervals
of 1 kg from 1 to 10 kg, and of 2.5 kg from 10 to 25
kg. TheraBand® elastic bands and TheraBand®
exercise handles were used as elastic resistance
(Hygenic Corporation, Akron, OH, USA). Levels
of resistance used were indicated by different
colours i.e. yellow, red, green, blue, black, silver
and gold, which at 200% elongation corresponded
to 2, 2.5, 3, 3.9, 4.6, 6.9 and 9.5 kg, respectively. A
metronome application on a smartphone was
used to standardize the lifting time.
In flyes, the participant lay on the bench
in a supine position, holding one dumbbell in
each hand with arms erect in a straight vertical
line towards the ceiling. The participants were
instructed to keep their elbows slightly bent
throughout the movement. When starting, the
dumbbells were lowered in an arc to the sides and
the movement stopped when the upper arms
were parallel to the floor. The dumbbells were
then returned to the starting position.
Elastic bands were attached to a wall-bar
at shoulder height. Handles were connected to
each end of the band, and the participant started
the exercise facing away from the wall-bar, in a
position where the arms were kept extended in a
forward horizontal line, while leaning the upper
body slightly forward for balance. The non-
dominant foot was placed in front of the other for
support. With slightly bent elbows, the arms were
then moved out in an arc to the sides until the
upper arms formed a straight line through the
torso. The movement was completed by pressing
the handles toward each other.
For reverse flyes, the participant lay on
the bench in a prone position, with one dumbbell
in each hand, keeping the arms erect in a straight
vertical line towards the floor. The participants
were instructed to keep their elbows slightly bent
throughout the movement. The movement started
by lifting the dumbbells in an arc out to the sides,
returning them when the upper arms were
elevated to a position parallel to the floor.
Elastic bands were attached to a wall-bar
at shoulder height. Handles were connected to
each end of the band, and the participant started
the exercise while facing the wall-bar with arms in
a forward horizontal line, parallel to the floor. The
handles were then pulled in an arc out to the sides
until the upper arms formed a straight line
through the torso. The handles were then
returned to the starting position. Elbows were
slightly bent throughout the movement.
Statistical analyses
Statistical analyses were performed using
SPSS for Windows (v. 21.0). A two-way (2x4)
repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA)
was used to assess the effect of the exercise
modality (elastic band vs. dumbbells) and
interaction with the contraction phase (CON1,
CON2, ECC1, and ECC2) on muscle activity.
Significant interaction effects were investigated
within the concentric and eccentric phases, i.e.,
between CON1 and CON2, and ECC1 and ECC2,
respectively. When significant main effects or
interactions were detected (p < 0.05), post-hoc tests
were performed within each contraction phase to
assess differences in muscle activity between
dumbbells and elastic bands. For post hoc tests, p-
values lower than 0.01 were considered
significant, and p-values up to 0.05 were
considered trends toward significance to account
for multiple testing. The dependent variable was
%EMGmax. For the rating of perceived loading on
the Borg CR10 scale, a paired samples t-test was
used and a p-value of 0.05 was considered
significant. The data was checked for normality
with a Shapiro-Wilk test. A log transformation
was performed on all EMG variables.
Results
For flyes, there were significant main
effects of the exercise modality on muscle activity
levels for all muscles (p 0.026 for all
comparisons) and also significant interactions
between muscle activity and the exercise modality
in both the concentric and eccentric phases (p
0.001 for all comparisons). For the pectoralis
major, muscle activity was highest when using
dumbbells, whereas for the deltoideus anterior,
biceps brachii and latissimus dorsi, elastic bands
induced the highest levels of muscle activity.
Figure 3 shows results of post hoc comparisons
for muscle activity in the different contraction
phases of flyes with elastic bands versus
dumbbells.
For reverse flyes, there were significant
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main effects of the exercise modality on muscle
activity levels for all muscles (p 0.001 for all
comparisons). Significant interactions were found
for the deltoideus medius and trapezius
descendens in both the concentric and eccentric
phase (p 0.011 for both comparisons). Higher
muscle activity was observed when using elastic
resistance compared to free-weight resistance for
the trapezius and deltoideus medius. In contrast,
the deltoideus posterior and latissimus dorsi
displayed higher muscle activity when using free-
weight resistance. Figure 4 shows results of post
hoc comparisons for muscle activity in the
different contraction phases of reverse flyes with
elastic bands versus dumbbells.
Table 1 shows the perceived exertion rated on
the Borg CR10 scale after performing the 10-RM
tests with elastic bands and dumbbells. Elastic
bands were rated heavier compared to dumbbells
for both flyes and reverse flyes; yet statistical
significance was only reached for reverse flyes.
Figure 1
Start- and end position of flyes with elastic bands (A) and dumbbells (B)
Figure 2
Start- and end position of reversed flyes with elastic bands (A) and dumbbells (B).
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Figure 3
EMG data for flyes with elastic bands and dumbbells in the first and second half of the concentric
(CON1 and CON2) and eccentric (ECC1 and ECC2) phases for the pectoralis major
(A), deltoideus anterior (B), biceps brachii (C) and latissimus dorsi
(D). Means and standard deviations. * p 0.01; # p 0.05
Figure 4
EMG data for reverse flyes with elastic bands and dumbbells in the first and second half of the concentric
(CON1 and CON2) and eccentric phases (ECC1 and ECC2) for the deltoideus posterior
(A), trapezius descendens (B), deltoideus medius (C), and latissimus dorsi
(D). Means and standard deviations. * p 0.01; # p 0.05
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Table 1
Perceived exertion rated on the Borg CR10 scale after performing the 10-RM tests with elastic
and free-weight resistance. Values are mean (SD).
Exercises Elastic Free-weight p-value
Flyes 8.2 (1.2) 7.8 (1.3) 0.073
Reversed flyes 7.9 (1.4) 7.1 (1.9) 0.040
Discussion
The main objective of this study was to
assess differences in muscle activity levels
induced by elastic bands and dumbbells in flyes
and reverse flyes. In flyes, elastic bands generally
induced lower levels of muscle activation for the
pectoralis major than dumbbells, but higher for
the deltoideus anterior. In reverse flyes, elastic
bands generally induced lower levels of muscle
activation for the deltoideus posterior, but higher
for the deltoideus medius and trapezius
descendens.
Flyes are primarily used to target chest
muscles. Overall, dumbbells were slightly more
effective for this muscle group. However, the
results showed that elastic bands activated the
deltoideus anterior substantially more, and that
flyes, performed with elastic bands in particular,
could be effectively used to train the deltoideus
anterior as well.
Partly in accordance with our expectation
that higher EMG levels would be induced during
exercises with elastic bands than dumbbells in the
end ranges in flyes, muscle activity for the
pectoralis major in flyes was lower with elastic
bands in CON1 and ECC2, but higher in CON2,
and similar in ECC1. This may be explained by
the very high leverage provided by dumbbells in
the beginning of the concentric phase. When the
sticking point is passed, a pronounced decline in
muscle activity is seen for dumbbells. In contrast,
muscle activity induced during exercises with
elastic bands increases from the beginning
towards the end of the range of motion, mirroring
the increasing external resistance caused by
elongation of the band. In ECC1 there was no
difference between the modalities, whereas when
the dumbbells were lowered out to the sides in
ECC2, the dumbbells again induced a higher
pectoralis major activation level.
Reverse flyes are primarily utilized for
deltoideus posterior training. Overall, dumbbells
were slightly more effective in activating this
muscle, more or less in all phases of the
contraction. However, the activation level of the
deltoideus medius and trapezius descendens
during exercises with elastic bands was
substantially higher than with dumbbells, and
reverse flyes with elastic bands appear to be a
very effective exercise for these muscles. As
expected, when the sticking point occurred at the
end of the concentric range of motion for both
elastic bands and dumbbells, we did not observe
the differential development in reverse flyes for
the deltoideus posterior that we observed in flyes
for the pectoralis major, in which the sticking
point was in the early concentric phase (Figure 3A
and 4A).
A similar pattern was observed from both
single-joint exercises in the sense that elastic
bands were slightly less effective in activating the
muscles usually perceived to be the prime movers
(i.e. pectoralis major for flyes and deltoideus
posterior for reverse flyes). However, elastic
bands induced substantially higher activation
levels in muscles perceived to be ancillary. It
could be that performing these exercises with
elastic bands instead of dumbbells made them
more unstable. Increased stability requirement
could possibly elicit higher neural drive to
stabilize the shoulder joint, which had been
suggested previously for dumbbells versus the
barbell chest press (Saeterbakken et al., 2011).
However, it is also possible that the different
postures contributed to these effects, as
participants were lying on a bench when the
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exercises with dumbbells were performed, but
standing during execution with elastic bands,
which is another way of inducing higher
instability and to increase muscle activation of the
deltoideus anterior (Saeterbakken and Fimland,
2013)
The increased stability requirement
possibly induced by a standing posture, involving
more stabilizing muscles, could also explain why
higher ratings of perceived effort on the Borg
CR10 scale were reported for elastic bands
compared to dumbbells. Partly in agreement with
our finding, Jakobsen and coworkers found a
higher rating of perceived effort when performing
knee flexions with elastic bands versus a
conventional training machine (Jakobsen et al.,
2014).
A limitation of this study is the use of
EMG to measure dynamic contractions. The
interpretation of the EMG signal during
movement can be complicated by issues such as
signal nonstationarity, the relative shift of the
electrodes, and fluctuations in conductivity
properties of the skin (Farina, 2006). Importantly,
the EMG measurements were performed in the
same session, thus there was no need to replace
electrodes. Furthermore, we measured EMG on
one side of the body only. In our study, we used
an 8-channel EMG system, so measuring on one
side only allowed us to measure more muscles at
the same time. The decision to measure the
dominant vs. non-dominant side was arbitrary.
However, we do not expect that the activation
patterns would be different on the non-dominant
side.
Another limitation is the 10-RM protocol
used for matching the loads between the
modalities. It is challenging to find the true 10-
RM, particularly with elastic bands. However, the
test leader was experienced in resistance training,
ensuring that 10-RM could be identified within 5
attempts and we are unaware of a better
procedure to match relative resistance.
Furthermore, to fine-tune resistance with elastic
bands, it was necessary to change the distance
between the participant and the anchor point
individually. Hence, we are unable to report a
standardized pre-stretch of the elastic bands for
each exercise.
In conclusion, elastic resistance bands
induced slightly lower muscle activity in the
muscles most people aim to activate during flyes
and reverse flyes, i.e., pectoralis major and
deltoideus posterior, respectively. However,
elastic resistance bands increased the muscle
activation level substantially in the deltoideus
anterior in flyes, and deltoideus medius and
trapezius descendens in reverse flyes, possibly
due to elastic bands being a more unstable
resistance modality.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the participants for their enthusiastic contribution to the study, and Xiangchun Tan
and Alan K. Bourke for assisting in data processing. There are no known conflicts of interest that the authors
are aware of. This study was in part supported by a grant from KLP (Kommunal landspensjonskasse),
Norway.
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Corresponding author:
Ronny Bergquist
NTNU, Fakultet for medisin og helsevitenskap,
PB 8905, 7491 TRONDHEIM
Phone: 0047 72571259
E-mail: ronny.bergquist@ntnu.no
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... Traditional strength training requires various equipment such as dumbbell, barbell, and weight machines to provide external load. However, a large space is needed for the heavy and stationary equipment (Bergquist et al., 2018). Practical concerns may arise for considerations of space, convenience, and safety under PE settings. ...
... Variable resistance training has been considered an effective training method for muscular strength (Suchomel et al., 2018). Similar electromyographic (EMG) patterns have been identified in elastic band training compared with machine (Aboodarda et al., 2011;Jakobsen et al., 2012) and free-weight training (Bergquist et al., 2018). Additionally, research findings reported comparable effects between elastic band and traditional resistance training (Andersen et al., 2010;Melchiorri and Rainoldi, 2011). ...
... The changing forces give rise to an unstable condition which induces higher neural drive and greater activation of muscle groups to maintain a stable posture (Saeterbakken et al., 2011). Compared with the strength training under a stable condition, elastic band may result in greater energy expenditure in exercise (Bergquist et al., 2018). ...
... We use the 4.5 kg weight dumbbell in our work because of three reasons. The first reason is that several previous works have used medium-weight dumbbells ranging between 3.5 kg and 5.5 kg to study muscular strength and fatigue [51][52][53]. The second reason is that medium-weight dumbbells are often reported as the most commonly used dumbbells across gym-goers [54]. ...
... In contrast, heavyweight dumbbells lead to shorter recording sessions with fewer data entries, which do not capture kinetic changes clearly throughout the exercise because participants reach fatigue quickly. Although we use a 4.5 kg weight dumbbell as recommended by previous studies, we believe having dumbbell weights will provide us with more information and different patterns of biceps muscle fatigue [51][52][53]. ...
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Nowadays, wearables-based Human Activity Recognition (HAR) systems represent a modern, robust, and lightweight solution to monitor athlete performance. However, user data variability is a problem that may hinder the performance of HAR systems, especially the cross-subject HAR models. Such a problem may have a lesser effect on the subject-specific model because it is a tailored model that serves a specific user; hence, data variability is usually low, and performance is often high. However, such a performance comes with a high cost in data collection and processing per user. Therefore, in this work, we present a personalized model that achieves higher performance than the cross-subject model while maintaining a lower data cost than the subject-specific model. Our personalization approach sources data from the crowd based on similarity scores computed between the test subject and the individuals in the crowd. Our dataset consists of 3750 concentration curl repetitions from 25 volunteers with ages and BMI ranging between 20–46 and 24–46, respectively. We compute 11 hand-crafted features and train 2 personalized AdaBoost models, Decision Tree (AdaBoost-DT) and Artificial Neural Networks (AdaBoost-ANN), using data from whom the test subject shares similar physical and single traits. Our findings show that the AdaBoost-DT model outperforms the cross-subject-DT model by 5.89%, while the AdaBoost-ANN model outperforms the cross-subject-ANN model by 3.38%. On the other hand, at 50.0% less of the test subject’s data consumption, our AdaBoost-DT model outperforms the subject-specific-DT model by 16%, while the AdaBoost-ANN model outperforms the subject-specific-ANN model by 10.33%. Yet, the subject-specific models achieve the best performances at 100% of the test subjects’ data consumption.
... Furthermore, an intervention to generate maintenance of values within normality is essential for healthcare [39,40]. A group × time interaction in the cognitive outcome was not found. ...
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Background: Combined (CT) and multicomponent training (MT) presents several benefits for aging individuals. However, the literature does not provide evidence on which of the two physical training models can better enhance improvements in physical capacity and health parameters in middle-aged and older women. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MT and CT on physical capacity, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial assessment, and biochemical profile of physically inactive women aged between 50 and 70 years. Methods: Participants were randomized into two groups: MT (32 women, 64.2 ± 6.4 years) and CT (39 women, 61.4 ± 4.3 years). Both training sessions had a weekly volume of 180 min, for 14 weeks, with assessments at baseline and after the training period. Results: CT showed better results when compared to MT. In the four evaluation blocks, we noticed differences in the effect size (L = large, M = moderate, S = small, and T = trivial) between the groups in 26 variables in total, highlighting the CT group (L = 11, M = 5, S = 2, and T = 8) compared to the MT group (L = 8, M = 7, S = 7, and T = 4). Our findings showed group-time differences for strength variables using the maximum dynamic repetition test in upper and lower limbs and for agility. The multicomponent training showed improvement in the functional strength of the upper limbs evaluated through the elbow flexion and extension test (p = 0.037), and HDL (p = 0.022). Conclusions: Fourteen weeks of CT showed better benefits when compared to MT.
... On the other hand, the higher RPE of the first repetition could be probably due to the greater resistance added by the Menatechpro System ® 's elastomeric technology. This result is in line with previous research (Bergquist et al., 2018). ...
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Resistance training is one key method for improving physical conditioning. With this purpose, Menatechpro System® has designed an avant-garde garment that includes elastomeric technology that may stimulate the neuromuscular system in a better way, but a deeper knowledge of its effects is needed. Objective: To explore the effects of a new garment with elastomeric technology on upper-limb performance, and neuromuscular, perceptual, and cardiovascular responses in two upper-extremities exercises. Methodology: Fit young men trained in resistance exercises performed a seated shoulder press (80% of one-repetition maximum) and push up (bodyweight) until muscle failure with the garment that incorporates the elastomeric technology versus a placebo garment without it. The number of repetitions, mean propulsive velocity, mean and peak muscle activation, rate of perceived effort and perceived velocity, and heart rate were analysed. Possible differences were obtained with a two-way mixed ANOVA of repeated measures with post-hoc analysis. Results: Compared with a placebo garment, the use of this new garment with elastomeric technology improved positively the physical performance and muscular activation during the exercises analysed (p ≤ .05). Conclusion: Menatechpro System®'s elastomeric technology integrated into the garment could provide an optimal neuromuscular stimulus for the development of the performance during the upper extremity training.
... The use of a Theraband induces muscle activity that progressively increases from the beginning till the end of the range, mirroring the increasing resistance offered by the Theraband with its elongation. This gives an upper hand over the use of free weights as the muscle activation varies throughout the range (Bergquist et al. 2018). The goal of such an approach was to improve overall muscle strength, flexibility, and movement coordination of the upper limbs. ...
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BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is one of the commonest metabolic disorder in the world which is also responsible for manifesting other diseases. It has a deleterious effect on the nerves resulting in diabetic neuropathy. Patients with diabetic neuropathy have reported to be more disabled in self-care tasks and housework. But the general therapeutic measures pays less attention to the upper limb problems. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a rehabilitation approach to the disability associated with diabetic neuropathy that is widely used by physiotherapists in many countries. Theraband exercises with PNF pattern on the other hand can be an alternative to the conventional PNF technique in the management of subjects with diabetic neuropathy. So this study was done with an objective of comparing the effectiveness of the PNF technique and the Theraband exercises with PNF pattern along with conventional exercises common to both groups on the upper limb functions in patients with diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: A simple randomized sampling was done and pre-test and post-test experimental method was used, treating one group with PNF technique and other group with Theraband exercises with PNF pattern for a period of 4 weeks (3 sessions per week on alternative days). RESULTS: Both the groups showed statistically significant improvement from the baseline. But the group treated with Theraband exercises with PNF pattern on upper limb functions showed improvement as compared to PNF technique on upper limb functions in patients with diabetic neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: After 4 week of intervention it has been observed that Theraband exercises with PNF pattern on upper limb functions showed better improvement as compared to PNF technique on upper limb functions in patients with diabetic neuropathy. KEYWORDS: Diabetic Mellitus, Diabetic Neuropathy, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Theraband, Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, Upper Extremity Functional Index
... Furthermore, the studies reviewed in this report and studies in other populations (e.g., aging) employ the use of therapeutic elastic bands with minimal resistance, unlike the heavy resistance elastic bands used to supplement traditional RT in populations such as fit individuals. Since the strength-and hypertrophy-related progression potential of elastic bands varies [64], it may be more optimal for improvements in muscular performance to (1) start a program with resistance bands and progress to other forms of RT, such as free weights or machines; ...
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... The effects of this type of training on whole-body muscle strength have previously been explored [19,20], but the efficacy of this specific type of training on isokinetic and isometric strength measures of the shoulder remains unknown. Strength gains observed with single-joint and multi-joint elastic resistance exercises have shown to be comparable to that of conventional resistance training [19,[21][22][23][24]. The effects of resistance training have been documented to be affected by the sex, health status, and initial strength capability of the user, and should be considered in the context of this treatment method. ...
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... Elastic resistance bands can be a viable option to conventional resistance-training equipment during single-joint resistance exercises [24,25]. Elastic band resistance training produces adaptations similar to those with weight resistance training in the early phases of strength training [26]. ...
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Objective: To investigate whether elastic resistance training can induce comparable levels of muscle activity as conventional machine training in chronic stroke patients. Design: Comparative study SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation facility PARTICIPANTS: 18 stroke patients with hemiparesis (mean age 57 (SD: 8) years). Interventions: Patients performed 3 consecutive reps at 10 repetition maximum (RM) of unilateral knee extension- and flexion, using elastic resistance and conventional training machines. Main outcome measure: Surface electromyography (EMG) was measured in vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST), and normalized to the maximal EMG (nEMG) of the non-paretic leg. Results: In the paretic leg, agonist muscle activity ranged from 18-24% nEMG during knee flexion and 32-40% nEMG during knee extension. For the latter, VL nEMG was higher during machine exercise compared with elastic resistance (40% [95% CI 33 - 47] vs 32% [95% CI 25 - 39], P=0.003). In the non-paretic leg, agonist muscle activity ranged from 54-61% during knee flexion and 52-68% during knee extension (n.s.). For knee flexion, ST nEMG was higher (61% [95% CI 50 - 71] vs 54% [95% CI 44 - 64], P=0.016), and for knee extension VM nEMG was higher (68% [95% CI 60 - 76] vs 56% [95% CI 48 - 64], P<0.001) during machine exercise compared with elastic resistance. By contrast, antagonist co-activation was significantly higher during knee flexion with elastic resistance compared with the machine. Lastly, there were no differences in perceived exertion between exercise modalities. Conclusion: Machine training appears to induce slightly higher levels of muscle activity in some of the investigated muscles compared to elastic resistance during lower-limb strength training in chronic stroke patients. The higher level of co-activation during knee flexions with elastic tubing suggests that elastic resistance exercises are more difficult to perform. This is likely due to a higher level of movement instability.
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Electromyography (EMG) exercise evaluation is commonly used to measure intensity of muscle contraction. While researchers assume that biomechanically comparable resistance exercises with similar high EMG levels will produce similar strength gains over the long term, no studies have actually corroborated this hypothesis. This study evaluated EMG levels during 6-repetition maximum (6RM) bench press and push-up, and subsequently performed a 5-week training period where subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups (i.e., 6RM Bench press group, 6RM Elastic band push-up group or control group) to evaluate muscle strength gains. Thirty university students with advanced resistance training experience participated in the two-part study. During the training period, exercises were performed using the same loads and variables that were used during the EMG data collection. At baseline, EMG amplitude showed no significant difference between 6RM bench press and band push-up. Significant differences among the groups were found for percent change (Δ) between pre-test and post-test for 6RM (p=0.017) and for 1-repetition maximum (1RM) (p<0.001). 6RM Bench press group and 6RM Elastic band push-up group improved their 1RM and 6RM (Δ ranging from 13.65 to 22.21) tests significantly with similar gains, whereas Control group remain unchanged. Thus, when the EMG values are comparable and the same conditions are reproduced, the aforementioned exercises can provide similar muscle strength gains.
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Therapists commonly use elastic bands in resistance exercises during rehabilitation of smaller muscles, such as in the shoulder. However, the effectiveness has not yet been investigated for larger muscle groups. This study investigates muscle activity during lower extremity exercises. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of 10 muscles was measured in 24 women and 18 men during lunges with elastic resistance, lunges with dumbbells, and unilateral leg press in machine using 10 repetition maximum loadings, and normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contraction EMG. Lunges with dumbbells and leg press showed higher activity than lunges with elastic resistance for the vasti and rectus femoris (P < 0.01), whereas lunges with elastic resistance showed higher activity of gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and erector spinae (P < 0.01). Gender, age, and pain in the knees and hip did not influence these findings. However, pain in the lower back decreased muscular activity of the gluteus maximus and vastus medialis (P < 0.01). Lunges with elastic resistance induce high levels of muscle activity in all the large muscle groups at the hip, knee, and back. Importantly, the efficiency of these exercises was equally high regardless of gender, age, and pain in the knees and hip, whereas pain in the lower back led to altered activation strategies.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate muscle activity during hamstring rehabilitation exercises performed in training machine compared with elastic resistance. Six women and 13 men aged 28-67 yrs participated in a crossover study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded in the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus during the concentric and the eccentric phase of hamstring curls performed with TheraBand elastic tubing and Technogym training machines and normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contraction-EMG (normalized EMG). Knee joint angle was measured using electronic inclinometers. Training machines and elastic resistance showed similar high levels of muscle activity (biceps femoris and semitendinosus peak normalized EMG >80%). EMG during the concentric phase was higher than during the eccentric phase regardless of exercise and muscle. However, compared with machine exercise, slightly lower (P < 0.05) normalized EMG values were observed using elastic resistance at 30- to 50-degree knee joint angle for the semitendinosus and the biceps femoris during the concentric and the eccentric phase, respectively. Perceived loading (Borg CR10) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) during hamstring curl performed with elastic resistance (7.58 ± 0.08) compared with hamstring curl performed in a machine (5.92 ± 0.03). Hamstring rehabilitation exercise performed with elastic resistance induces similar peak hamstring muscle activity but slightly lower EMG values at more extended knee angles and with higher perceived loading as hamstring curls using training machines.