Real-time evaluation of anaerobic threshold with rms-EMG of working and nonworking muscles during incremental bicycle ergometer test.

Surface rms-EMG measurement as a real time monitoring method for detecting the anaerobic threshold during a bicycle ergometer test was evaluated and compared with blood lactate and ventilatory parameters. The study group consisted of 12 healthy ice hockey players. The anaerobic threshold indicated as dislinearity of increase in blood lactate level, ventilatory parameters and myoelectrical activity was observed at the work level of 300 (range 270-330) W in each case. The linearity disappeared at same time in the rms-EMG-load ratio both in working (quadriceps and gastrocnemius) and nonworking (frontalis) muscles. The rms-EMG follow-up was easier to perform than measurements of blood lactate and ventilatory parameters.