Can vastus medialis oblique be preferentially activated? A systematic review of electromyographic studies

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

Volumn 25, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 69-98

  Smith, Toby O ^a   Bowyer, Damien ^b   Dixon, John ^c   Stephenson, Richard ^d   Chester, Rachel ^a,d   Donell, Simon T ^d  

^a NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL   (United Kingdom)

^b Physiotherapy Outpatient Department   (United Kingdom)

^c TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

^d UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ADOLESCENT; ADULT; CHILD; ELECTROMYOGRAPHY; EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE; FEMALE; HUMANS; JOINTS; LOWER EXTREMITY; MALE; MUSCLE CONTRACTION; MUSCLE STRENGTH; PHYSICAL THERAPY MODALITIES; QUADRICEPS MUSCLE; RANGE OF MOTION, ARTICULAR; YOUNG ADULT;

EID: 61649106949     PISSN: 09593985     EISSN: 15325040     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/09593980802686953     Document Type: Review

References (88)

1. Amis AA, Farahmand F 1996 Extensor mechanism of the knee. Current Orthopaedics 10: 102-109
2. Andriacchi TP, Anderson GBJ, Örtengren R, Mikosz RP 1984 A study of factors influencing muscle activity about the knee joint. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 1: 266-275
3. Barbaix E, Pouders C 2005 Vastus medialis obliquus. Clinical Anatomy 19: 184-186
4. Basmajian JV, Harden TP, Regenos EM 1971 Integrated actions of the four heads of the quadriceps femoris: An electromyographic study. The Anatomical Records 172: 15-20
5. Bicos J, Fulkerson JP, Amis A 2007 Current concepts review. The medial patellofemoral ligament. American Journal of Sports Medicine 35: 485-492
6. Bland M 2006 An introduction to medical statistics, 3rd ed. Oxford, Oxford University Press
7. Boling MC, Bolgla LA, Mattacola CG, Uhl TL, Hosey RG 2006 Outcomes of a weight-bearing rehabilitation program for patients diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 87: 1428-1435
8. Bos RR, Blosser TG 1970 An electromyographic study of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis during selected isometric exercises. Medicine and Science in Sport 2: 218-223
9. Boucher JP, King MA, Lefebvre R, Pépin A 1992 Quadriceps femoris muscle activity in patellofemoral pain syndrome. American Journal of Sports Medicine 20: 527-532
10. Brunet M, Stewart G 1989 Patellofemoral rehabilitation. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 8: 319-329
11. Burks RT 1992 Sport injuries. In: Nickel VL, Botte MJ (eds) Orthopaedic rehabilitation, 2nd ed, pp 679-694. London, Churchill Livingstone
12. Byrne CA, Lyons GM, Donnelly AE, O'Keeffe DT, Hermens H, Nene A 2005 Rectus femoris surface myoelectric signal cross-talk during static contractions. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 15: 564-575
13. Callaghan MJ, McCarthy CJ, Oldham JA 2009 The reliability of surface electromyography to assess quadriceps fatigue during multi joint tasks in healthy and painful knees. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 19: 172-180
14. CASP (Critical Skills Appraisal Programme) 2007 Learning & Development Public Health Resource Unit, Oxford, UK. Available at: http://www.phru.nhs.uk/casp/critical-appraisal-tools.htm (Accessed May 1, 2007)
15. Cerny K 1995 Vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis muscle activity ratios for selected exercises in a person with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome. Physical Therapy 75: 672-683
16. Chester R, Smith TO, Sweeting D, Dixon J, Wood S, Song F 2008 The relative timing of VMO and VL in anterior knee pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 9: 64
17. Coqueiro KRR, Bevilaqua-Grossi D, Berzin F, Soares AB, Candolo C, Monteiro-Pedro V 2005 Analysis on the activation of the VMO and VLL muscles during semisquat exercises with and without hip adduction in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 15: 596-603
18. Cowan SM, Bennell KL, Crossley KM, Hodges PW, McConnell J 2002 Physical therapy alters recruitment of the vasti in patellofemoral pain syndrome. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 34: 1879-1885
19. Cowan S, Bennell K, Hodges P, Crossley K, McConnell J 2001 Delayed onset of electromyographic activity of vastus medialis obliquus relative to vastus lateralis in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 82: 183-189
20. Crossley KM, Cowan SM, McConnell J, Bennell KL 2005 Physical therapy improves knee flexion during stair ambulation in patellofemoral pain. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 37: 176-183
21. Earl JE, Schmitz RJ, Arnold BL 2001 Activation of the VMO and VL during dynamic mini-squat exercises with and without isometric hip adduction. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 11: 381-386
22. Eburne J, Bannister G 1996 The McConnell regimen versus isometric quadriceps exercises in the management of anterior knee pain. A randomised prospective controlled trial. The Knee 3: 151-153
23. Gough JV, Ladley G 1971 An investigation into the effectiveness of various forms of quadriceps exercises. Physiotherapy 57: 356-361
24. Grabiner MD, Koh TJ, Draganich LF 1994 Neuromechanics of the patellofemoral joint. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 26: 10-21
25. Gregersen CS, Hull ML, Hakansson NA 2006 How changing the inversion/eversion foot angle affects the nondriving intersegmental knee moments and the relative activation of the vastii muscles in cycling. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 128: 391-398
26. Grelsamer RP 2000 Current concept review. Patellar malalignment. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 82-A: 1639-1650
27. Hanten WP, Schulthies SS 1990 Exercise effect on electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis muscles. Physical Therapy 70: 561-565
28. Hasler EM, Denoth J, Stacoff A, Herzog W 1994 Influence of hip and knee joint angles on excitation of knee extensor muscles. Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology 34: 355-361
29. Herrington L, Blacker M, Enjuanes N, Smith P, Worthington D 2006 The effect of limb position, exercise mode and contraction type on overall activity of VMO and VL. Physical Therapy in Sport 7: 87-92
30. Herrington L, Pearson S 2006 Does level of load affect relative activation levels of vastis medialis oblique and vastis lateralis?. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 16: 379-383
31. Hertel J, Earl JE, Tsang KK, Miller SJ 2004 Combining isometric knee extension exercises with hip adduction or abduction does not increase quadriceps EMG activity. British Journal of Sports Medicine 38: 210-213
32. Hodges PW, Richardson CA 1993 The influence of isometric hip adduction on quadriceps femoris activity. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 25: 57-62
33. Hubbard JK, Sampson HW, Elledge JR 1997 Prevalence and morphology of the vastus medialis oblique muscle in human cadavers. Anatomical Records 249: 135-142
34. Hubbard JK, Sampson HW, Elledge JR 1998 The vastus medialis oblique muscle and its relationship to patellofemoral joint deterioration in human cadavers. Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy 28: 384-391
35. Hung YJ, Gross MT 1999 Effect of foot position on electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis during lower-extremity weight-bearing activities. Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy 29: 93-102
36. Karst GM, Jewett PD 1993 Electromyographic analysis of exercises proposed for differential activation of medial and lateral quadriceps femoris muscle components. Physical Therapy 73: 286-295
37. Koh TJ, Grabiner MD 1992 Cross talk in surface electromyograms of human hamstring muscles. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 10: 701-709
38. Kollmitzer J, Ebenbichler GR, Kopf A 1999 Reliability of surface electromyographic measurements. Clinical Neurophysiology 110: 725-734
39. Kongsgaard M, Aagaard P, Roikjaer S, Olsen D, Jensen M, Langberg H, Magnusson SP 2006 Decline eccentric squats increases patellar tendon loading compared to standard eccentric squats. Clinical Biomechanics 21: 748-754
40. Lam PL, Ng GY 2001 Activation of the quadriceps muscle during semisquatting with different hip and knee positions in patients with anterior knee pain. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 80: 804-808
41. Laprade J, Culham E, Brouwer B 1998 Comparison of five isometric exercises in recruitment of the vastus medialis oblique in a persons with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome. Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy 27: 197-204
42. Le Pera D, Graven-Nielsen T, Valeriani M, Oliviero A, Di Lazzaro V, Tonali PA, Arendt-Nielsen L 2001 Inhibition of motor system excitability at cortical and spinal level by tonic muscle pain. Clinical Neurophysiology 112: 1633-1641
43. Lieb FJ, Perry J 1968 Quadriceps function. Anatomical and mechanical study using amputated limbs. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 50-A: 1535-1548
44. Livecchi NM, Armstrong CW, Cordova ML, Merrick MA, Rankin JM 2002 Vastis lateralis and vastis medialis obliquus activity during a straight-leg raise and knee extension with lateral hip rotation. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 11: 120-126
45. MacGregor K, Gerlach S, Mellor R, Hodges P 2005 Cutaneous stimulation from patella tape causes a differential increase in vasti muscle activity in people with patellofemoral pain. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 23: 351-358
46. Mathur S, Eng JJ, MacIntyre DL 2005 Reliability of surface EMG during sustained contractions of the quadriceps. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 15: 102-110
47. McClinton S, Donatell G, Weir J, Heiderscheit B 2007 Influence of step height on quadriceps onset timing and activation during stair ascent in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy 37: 239-244
48. McConnell J 2002 The physical therapist's approach to patellofemoral disorders. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 21: 363-387
49. McConnell J 1996 Management of patellofemoral problems. Manual Therapy 1: 60-66
50. McConnell J 1986 The management of chondromalacia patellae: A long term solution. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 32: 215-223
51. Miller JP, Sedory D, Croce RV 1997a Leg rotation and vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis electromyogram activity ratio during closed chain kinetic exercises prescribed for patellofemoral pain. Journal of Athletic Training 32: 216-220
52. Miller JP, Sedory D, Croce RV 1997b Vastus medialis obliquus and vastis lateralis activity in patients with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 6: 1-10
53. Mirzabeigi E, Jordan C, Gronley JK, Rockowitz NL, Perry J 1999 Isolation of the vastus medialis oblique muscle during exercise. American Jouranl of Sports Medicine 27: 50-53
54. Møller BN, Jurik AG, Tidemand-Dal C, Krebs B, Aaris K 1987 The quadriceps function in patellofemoral disorders. A radiographic and electromyographic study. Archives of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery 106: 195-198
55. Monteiro-Pedro V, Vitti M, Bérzin F, Bevilaqua-Grosso D 1999 The effect of free isotonic and maximal isometric contraction exercises of the hip adduction on vastus medialis oblique muscle: An electromyographic study. Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology 39: 435-440
56. Ninos JC, Irrgang JJ, Burdett R, Weiss JR 1997 Electromyographic analysis of the squat performed in self-selected lower extremity neutral rotation and 30° of lower extremity turn-out from the self-selected neutral position. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 25: 307-315
57. Nozic M, Mitchell J, de Klerk D 1997 A comparison of the proximal and distal parts of the vastus medialis muscle. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 43: 277-281
58. Ono T, Riegger-Krugh C, Bookstein NA, Shimizu ME, Kanai S, Otsuka A 2005 The boundary of the vastus medialis oblique and the vastus medialis longus. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 17: 1-4
59. O'Sullivan SP, Popelas CA 2005 Activation of vastus medialis obliquus among individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 19: 302-304
60. Özer H, Tekdemir I, Elhan A, Turanli S, Engebretsen L 2004 A clinical case and anatomical study of the innervation supply of the vastus medialis muscle. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy 12: 119-122
61. Panagiotopoulos E, Strzelczyk P, Herrmann M, Scuderi G 2006 Caderavic study on static medial patellar stabilizers: The dynamizing role of the vastis medialis obliquus on medial patellofemoral ligament. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy 14: 7-12
62. Portney LG, Watkins MP 2000 Foundations of clinical research. Applications to practice, 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA, Prentice Hall
63. Powers C 1998 Rehabilitation of patellofemoral joint disorders: A critical review. Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy 28: 345-354
64. Rainoldi A, Falla D, Mellor R, Bennell K, Hodges P 2008 Myoelectric manifestations of fatigue in vastus lateralis, medialis obliquus and medialis longus muscles. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 18: 1032-1037
65. Rice M, Bennett J, Ruhling R 1995 Comparison of two exercises on VMO and VL EMG activity and force production. Isokinetics and Exercise Science 5: 61-67
66. Rothstein HR, Sutton AJ, Borenstein M 2005 Publication bias in meta-analysis. In: Rothstein HR, Sutton AJ, Borenstein M (eds) Publication bias in meta-analysis. Prevention, assessment and adjustment, pp 1-7. Chichester UK, John Wiley and Sons
67. Rutherford OM, Jones DA, Newham DJ 1986 Clinical and experimental application of the percutaneous twitch superimposition technique for the study of human muscle activation. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 49: 1288-1291
68. Scudero GR, McCann PD 2005 Sports medicine. A comprehensive approach, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Elsevier Mosby
69. Serrrão FV, Cabral CMN, Bérzin F, Candolo C, Monteiro-Pedro V 2005 Effect of tibia rotation on the electromyographical activity of the vastus medialis oblique and vastis lateralis longus muscles during isometric leg press. Physical Therapy in Sport 6: 15-23
70. Signorile JF, Kacsik D, Perry A, Robertson B, Williams R, Lowensteyn I, Digel S, Caruso J, LeBlanc WG 1995 The effect of knee and foot position on the electromyographical activity of the superficial quadriceps. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 22: 2-9
71. Solomon L, Warwick DJ, Nayagam S 2001 Apley's system of orthopaedics and fractures, 8th ed. London, Arnold
72. Song F, Eastwood AJ, Gilbody S, Duley L, Sutton AJ 2000 Publication and related biases. Health Technology Assessment 4: 1-115
73. Souza DR, Gross MT 1991 Comparison of vastus medialis obliquus: Vastus lateralis muscle integrated electromyographic ratios between healthy subjects and patients with patellofemoral pain. Physical Therapy 71: 310-316
74. Tang SF, Chen CK, Hsu R, Chou SW, Hong WH, Lew HL 2001 Vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis activity in open and closed kinetic chain exercises in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: an electromyographic study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 82: 1441-1445
75. Taşkiran E, Dinedurga Z, Yaǧiz A, Uludaǧ B, Ertekin C, Lök V 1998 Effect of the vastus medialis obliquus on the patellofemoral joint. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy 6: 173-180
76. Tepperman PS, Mazliah J, Naumann S, Delmore T 1986 Effect of ankle position on isometric quadriceps strengthening. American Journal of Physical Medicine 65: 69-74
77. Terry GC 1989 The anatomy of the extensor mechanism. Clinics in Sports Medicine 8: 163-177
78. Thomee R, Augustsson J, Karlsson J 1999 Patellofemoral pain syndrome. Sports Medicine 28: 245-262
79. Toumi H, Poumarat G, Benjamin M, Best T, F'Guyer S, Fairclough J 2007 New insights into the function of the vastus medialis with clinical implications. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 39: 1153-1159
80. Voight M, Wieder D 1991 Comparative reflex response times of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis in normal subjects and subjects with extensor mechanism dysfunction. American Journal of Sports Medicine 19: 131-137
81. Weiss L, Silver JK, Weiss J 2004 Easy EMG. A guide to performing nerve conduction studies and electromyography. London, Butterworth Heinemann
82. Wild JJ Jr., Franklin TD, Woods GW 1982 Patellar pain and quadriceps rehabilitation. An EMG study. American Journal of Sports Medicine 10: 12-15
83. Willis FB, Burkhardt EJ, Walker JE, Johnson MA, Spears TD 2005 Preferential vastus medialis oblique activation achieved as a treatment for knee disorders. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 19: 286-291
84. Winter DA 1991 Electromyogram recording, processing, and normalization: Procedures and considerations. Journal of Human Muscle Performance 1: 5-15
85. Wong Y-M, Ng GYF 2006 Surface electrode placement affects the EMG recording of the quadriceps muscles. Physical Therapy in Sport 7: 122-127
86. Yamada T, Demura S 2005 Instruction in reliability and magnitude of evaluation parameters at each phase of a sit-to-stand movement. Perceptual and Motor Skills 101: 695-706
87. Yamashita N 1988 EMG activities in mono- and bi-articular thigh muscles in combined hip and knee extension. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology 58: 274-277
88. Zakaria D, Harburn KL, Kramer JF 1997 Preferential activation of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and hip adductor muscles during isometric exercises in females. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 26: 23-28