Muscle Use During Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise (Gliding) Compared to Conventional Weight Lifting Equipment, Part 2

Six subjects between the ages of 18 and 35 years old were examined to compare muscle use. The rectus abdominus, erector spinal, gluteus maximus, quadriceps, hamstring, gastrocnemius, and tibiallis anterior muscles were assessed by electromyogram. Conventional exercise was performed by weight lifting on quadriceps, hamstring, abdominal and back extension machines and then compared to low-impact aerobic exercise involving extension of the legs on inexpensive discs that slide on the floor, a technique called Gliding. Subjects performed a maximum effort for each muscle and by measuring the maximum electromyogram, data could then be normalized to assess muscle use during the various exercises. The results of the experiments showed that although there is no external resistance in low-impact aerobics Gliding, the equivalent muscle activity Petrofsky2-vol5no1 3/19/05 11:28 AM Page 136