The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in EMG signals while running on different surface conditions. Volunteers (n = 47) participated in a study, where surface EMG was recorded from six muscles of the lower extremity while running on three different surfaces (barefoot on grass, barefoot on tartan, shod on tartan). Different surface conditions led to changes in muscle activation within all subjects. Muscle activation patterns were highly individual and different for men and women. Changes of activity patterns depending on running surface were muscle specific and clearly different between gender groups. A deeper understanding of muscular activation while running may yield valuable information for future footwear design and injury sources.
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