Evaluation of muscle activity during a strandardized resistance training bout in novice individuals

Momentary fatigue is an important variable in resistance training periodization programs. Although several studies have examined neuromuscular activity during single repetitions of resistance training, information is lacking in regard to neuromuscular fatigue indices throughout a full resistance training bout. The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activity during a shoulder resistance training bout with 15 repetitions maximum (RM) loadings in novice individuals. 12 healthy sedentary women (age = 27-58 years; weight = 54-85 kg; height = 160-178 cm) were recruited for this study. Normalized electromyographic activity (nEMG) and median power frequency (MPF) of the upper, medial and lower trapezius, the medial deltoid, infraspinatus and serratus anterior was measured during 3 sets of 15 RM during the exercises front raise, reverse flyes, shrugs and lateral raise. For the majority of exercises nEMG activity was high (>60% of MVC). From the first to the last repetition of each set nEMG - averaged for all muscles - increased 10.0+0.4% (P