<b>Electromyographical analysis of hamstrings in prone leg curl and seated leg curl</b> - doi: 10.4025/reveducfis.v21i4.8328

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to analyze the electromyographic activity (EMG) of long head Bíceps Femoris (BF) and Semitendinosus (ST) muscles during knee flexion movements in two different machines: Prone leg curl (decubitus ventral position) and Seated leg curl (sitting position). Nine bodybuilders aged 20 to 40 years old participated in this study. They followed a protocol specifying 5 repetitions of flexion of the knee in each machines. EMG activity was recorded using surface electrodes and data were expressed in terms of root mean squares (RMS). Statistical analysis employed T Test (data paired). There was greater EMG amplitude of BF and ST in decubitus ventral position with a statistically significant difference for the BF muscle. There is greater muscle activation of the hamstrings during flexion exercises performed on the prone leg curl suggesting that this equipment is more efficient than the chair for training with the aim of improving the capacity of muscle activation.