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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Exercise--Physiological aspects; Exercise therapy; Leg;

Abstract

The prevention of quadriceps atrophy during prolonged knee immobilization is of concern to the athletic trainer or the physical therapist. Several exercises have been used in the past for rehabilitation during this period of immobilization. Selection of an exercise which produces the greatest amount of muscular activity is beneficial as it would produce a greater training effect on the muscles and prevent extensive atrophy from occurring. The most common exercise used in rehabilitation of the quadriceps during this period of immobilization is the supine straight-leg raising exercise. This exercise, however, has some shortcomings in producing an increased amount of muscular activity in the quadricep muscles because of the assistance from the hip flexor muscles and the abdominal muscles. The intent of this study was to provide the practitioner with information on alternative methods for performing the straight-leg raising exercise. Six male and six female subjects were utilized in the study. Each performed six repetitions of three forms of straight-leg raising exercises. The exercises included the supine straight-leg raising exercise, the sitting straight-leg raising exercise and the supine full straight-leg raising exercise (the exercised leg was raised to an angle perpendicular to the table). Electromyography was utilized to determine the amount of muscular activity occurring in the muscle during each exercise. All three exercises were performed with a 10 pound weight attached to the ankle and the leg held in full extension (to simulate immobilization) by a posterior splint. The study examined the effect of the three forms of straight-leg raising exercises on the amount of muscular activity produced in the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris. The effect of sex as a factor in muscular activity of the tested muscles was also examined for the three exercises. The results of the study indicated that the sitting straight-leg raising exercise produced greater muscular activity in the rectus femoris and the vastus medialis. The results indicated also that sex was not a factor in the muscular activity produced during any exercise. Sex was also not a significant factor in the difference of muscular activity produced among the exercises.

Year of Submission

1983

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

First Advisor

Susann Doody

Second Advisor

Larry D. Hensley

Third Advisor

Whitfield East

Comments

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Date Original

1983

Object Description

1 PDF file (65 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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