Evaluation of the Electromyography Test for the Analysis of the Aerobic-Anaerobic Transition in Elite Cyclists during Incremental Exercise

摘要

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of surface electromyography (EMG) for automatic detection of the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds during an incremental continuous cycling test using 1 min exercise periods in elite cyclists. (2) Methods: Sixteen well-trained cyclists completed an incremental exercise test (25 W/1 min) to exhaustion. Surface bipolar EMG signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and gluteus maximus, and the root mean square (RMS) were assessed. The multi-segment linear regression method was used to calculate the first and second EMG thresholds (EMG T1 and EMG T2 ). During the test, gas exchange data were collected to determine the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT 1 and VT 2 ). (3) Results: Two breakpoints (thresholds) were identified in the RMS EMG vs. time curve for all muscles in 75% of participants. The two breakpoints, EMG T1 and EMG T2 , were detected at around 70%–80% and 90%–95% of VO 2MAX , respectively. No significant differences were found between the means of VT 1 and EMG T1 for the vastii and biceps femoris muscles ( p 0.05). There were no significant differences between means of EMG T2 and VT 2 ( p 0.05). (4) Conclusions: It is concluded that the multi-segment linear regression algorithm is a valid non-invasive method for analyzing the aerobic-anaerobic transition during incremental tests with 1 min stage durations.