Differences in Muscle Activities of Healthy Males in Bicycle Ergometer Exercise in the Supine and Sitting Positions

[Purpose] To investigate the differences in muscle activities during bicycle ergometer in the supine (SE) and sitting (BE) positions. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 11 healthy males. Exercise loads during SE were 10, 20, 30, 43, and 75 W; and during BE were 10, 20, 30, 44, and 76 W. EMG activities of the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, soleus, erector spinae and rectus abdominis were recorded. The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was used to normalize the recorded EMG activities (%MVC). [Results] As exercise load increased, %MVC also increased in both BE and SE. The %MVC for the tibialis anterior, vastus medialis and erector spinae were significantly lower in SE. [Conclusion] Both SE and BE may be useful as muscle strength training methods for the lower limb; however, the use of this training method for dialysis patients may need further investigation.