Electromyography of five arm muscles was measured on-line from the scull movement in the Single Ballet Leg Alternate. The patterns of the arm EMG were compared using the IDANCO system for eo-contraction and specificity. The iEMG was used as a reference for muscular intensity. Normalization of data was made according to the highest peak principle. On analysing relations between synergist, agonist and antagonist muscles, significant differences were found (P < 0.05) in integrated EMG during the lifting of the leg (iEMG of M. brachioradialis = 40%, iEMG of M. flexor carpi ulnaris = 60% of the normalized highest peak contraction). A comparison of the movement phases with leg lifted versus the "Back Layout" phases, found significant differences in iEMG for the M. pectoralis major. During the "Ballet Leg" phase the iEMG-level was lower (45%) than during the "Back Layout" phase.
© Copyright 1992 Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Swimming Science VI. Published by E & FN Spon. All rights reserved.