Comparative analysis of lower limb muscle activity between a passive-control foot press trainer and heel raise exercises in young adult women: A preliminary study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ko, Byung-Woo^a | Bae, Young-Hyeon^{b; 1; *} | Yoon, Bum Chul^{c; 1} | Shin, Joon-Ho^d

Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea | [b] Department of Healthcare and Public Health Research, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea | [c] Major of Rehabilitation Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea | [d] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Young-Hyeon Bae, Department of Healthcare and Public Health, National Rehabilitation Center, 58 Samgaksan-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea. Tel.: +82 2 901 1950; Fax: +82 2 901 1900; E-mail: [email protected].

Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A passive-control foot press trainer (PFPT) based on spring resistance aims to strengthen the ankle joint, similar to heel raise exercise (HRE). OBJECTIVE: To compare the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris between PFPT and HRE. METHODS: Eight healthy women performed four exercise conditions: PFPT forefoot (PFPT FF), PFPT rearfoot (PFPT RF), HRE at the floor level (HRE F), and HRE on the block (HRE B). During exercise, muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography and subsequently converted to percentages of maximum voluntary isometric contraction. RESULTS: Tibialis anterior showed the highest activity in PFPT FF, with significant difference from other conditions. Gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis demonstrated the highest activity in HRE B; Rectus femoris showed the highest activity in PFPT RF, showing significant differences from other conditions (p< 0.05). Biceps femoris exhibited the highest activity in HRE F and a significant difference from PFPT FF and PFPT RF. CONCLUSIONS: Lower leg and thigh muscle activity between PFPT and HRE had similarities and differences. Future studies should analyze the long-term effects of PFPT, including on patients with musculoskeletal and nervous system injuries.

Keywords: Passive-control foot press trainer, heel raise exercise, ankle exercise, electromyography, muscle activity, muscle strength

DOI: 10.3233/IES-230157

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024