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Date Permissions Signed

1-20-2017

Date of Award

Winter 2017

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Health and Human Development

First Advisor

Suprak, David N. (David Nathan)

Second Advisor

San Juan, Jun G.

Third Advisor

Brilla, Lorraine R., 1955-

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of linear path and converging path ellipticals at three varying crossramp angles (35°, 25°, and 15°) on mean muscle activation of the gluteus maximus (GMAX), semitendinosus (ST), vastus medialis (VM), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and vastus lateralis (VL). The study consisted of 25 young adults (15 males and 10 females. All subjects had previous experience with elliptical trainers and had no contraindications preventing them from taking part in the study. The main outcome measure was mean muscle activation, presented at %MVC, for GMAX, ST, VM, LG, and VL. A two-way, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine significance, with an alpha level of 0.05. The converging path elliptical trainer showed no significant difference in muscle activation for GMAX, ST, VM, or LG, compared to the linear path elliptical, but was significantly higher (p = .006) for VL. Results for the crossramp angle showed that VM and VL had significantly higher muscle activation on the 35° ramp angle, with activation lessening from 25° to 15° (p = .027 and p < .001 respectively). LG showed higher activation on the 15° ramp angle with activation lessening from 25° to 35° (p = .003). Exercising at a higher crossramp angle appears to activate the quadriceps more, while exercising at a lower crossramp angle would activate the LG to a higher degree. Additionally, individuals wanting to focus on VL activation should perform exercise on a converging path elliptical at a higher crossramp angle; however, caution should be exercised to account for over strengthening of the VL.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/5aa9-ak50

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

973023582

Subject – LCSH

Elliptical trainers; Muscle contraction; Leg--Muscles; Gluteus maximus

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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