Neuromuscular activation and RPE in the quadriceps at low and high isometric intensities.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine neuromuscular activation and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) at 10% and 80% quadriceps MVC in healthy males.

METHODS: Seventeen college-aged volunteers (mean age = 22.6 years, mean height = 178.9 cm, mean weight = 78.8 kg) were assessed for isometric EMG activity of the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) at 10% and 80% MVC, and RPE at 80% MVC. Perceived exertion was measured with a modified category ratio scale (CR-10) and was anchored with 1 high and 1 low anchor. Raw EMG signals were sampled via telemetry (rate = 1,000 Hz) and integrated (3 sec) for each contraction for each muscle (bandpass = 16-500 Hz, CMRR = 130 dB). A one-sample t-test was performed for each variable and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS: Means and CI for each variable are as follows: 10% MVC VM IEMG (t16 = 5.05, p < 0.001, .95 CI = 3.11 +/- 1.3), 80% MVC VM IEMG (t16 = 22.51, p < 0.001, .95 CI = 73.2 +/- 6.89), 10% MVC VL IEMG (t16 = 8.10, p < 0.001, .95 CI = 9.41 +/- 2.47), 80% MVC VL IEMG (t16 = 39.56, p < 0.001, .95 CI = 87.32 +/- 4.68), and 80% MVC RPE (t16 = 11.85, p < 0.001, .95 CI = 5.24 +/- 0.93).

DISCUSSION: The major findings illustrate an apparent underestimation of RPE at 80% MVC for the quadriceps. Neuromuscular activation appears to be lower than the expected force output at both intensities for the VM while VL activation corresponded closely at 10% MVC and was higher at 80% MVC.