Comparison of mechanomyographic sensors during incremental cycle ergometry for the quadriceps femoris.

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus power output relationships for the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles during incremental cycle ergometry between the piezoelectric contact sensor (HP) and the accelerometer (ACC) sensor. Nine men performed an incremental cycle ergometry test to voluntary exhaustion. Polynomial regression analyses on a subject-by-subject basis indicated that the relationship between the normalized MMG amplitude versus normalized power output was best fit with either a linear, quadratic, or cubic model. These patterns were consistent between sensors for each muscle for each subject. No consistent relationship was found for MMG MPF within subjects and between muscle groups. In addition, there were no significant sensor x power output interactions for normalized MMG amplitude or MPF. These results suggest that, for cycle ergometry, the HP and ACC sensors provide similar information for the interpretation of motor control strategies during continuous exercise.