Abstract
Neuromuscular activity of the lower leg is dependent on the task performed, speed
of movement and gender. Whether training volume influences neuromuscular activity
is not known. The EMG of physically active persons differing in running mileage was
analysed to investigate this. 55 volunteers were allocated to a low (LM: < 30 km),
intermediate (IM: > 30 km & < 45 km) or high mileage (HM: > 45 km) group according
to their weekly running volume. Neuromuscular activity of the lower leg was measured
during running (3.33 m·s − 1). Mean amplitude values for preactivation, weight acceptance and push-off were calculated
and normalised to the mean activity of the entire gait cycle.
Higher activity in the gastrocnemius group was observed in weight acceptance in LM
compared to IM (+30%) and HM (+25%) but lower activity was present in the push-off
for LM compared to IM and HM. For the peroneal muscle, differences were present in
the push-off where HM showed increased activity compared to IM (+24%) and LM (+60%).
The tibial muscle revealed slightly lower activity during preactivation for the high
mileage runners. Neuromuscular activity differs during stance between the high and
intermediate group compared to low mileage runners. Slight adaptations in neuromuscular
activation indicate a more target-oriented activation strategy possibly due to repetitive
training in runners with higher weekly mileage.
Key words
locomotion - neuromuscular control - running gait - training volume
