The effect of a combined exercise program on different surfaces on gastrocnemius muscle activation in young athletes

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an exercise program (consisting of agility, balance, and coordination exercises) on the gastrocnemius muscle activation in young athletes on two different surfaces, sand (sea sand) and tartan (athletics track). Sixty-five young (15–17 years old) athletes (51% male, 49% female) were voluntarily included in this study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups as sand exercise group (SEG; n = 34) and tartan exercise group (TEG; n = 31). Participants were subjected to a 4-week (3 days) training program on the sand and tartan surfaces in addition to their normal athletic training. Participants were asked to perform an isometric plantar flexion movement at maximum strength with a stationary Active Force 2 hand dynamometer. During this movement, the participants’ gastrocnemius muscle activation was determined using Neurotrac Myoplus Pro surface electromyography (sEMG) biofeedback device with electrodes placed on the gastrocnemius muscle before and after the 4-week training program. In the gastrocnemius muscle of the right leg, significant increases in average EMG activation were observed in the post-test compared to the pre-test (p < .05). The interaction groups*test duration had a significant effect on average value. Compared to SEG, it was observed that the average value increased significantly more in TEG after 4 weeks. There was also a significant increase in interquartile range (IQR) and peak value in the post-test compared to the pre-test, regardless of the study groups (p < .05). For the left leg, the average, IQR, peak and power EMG activation increased significantly in the post-test compared to the pre-test, while the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) value decreased significantly in the post-test compared to the pre-test (p < .05). Furthermore, the groups*test times interaction for all parameter values for the left leg was not statistically significant over the four weeks (p > .05). Gastrocnemius muscle activation increased after the exercise program on both surfaces. However, results should be considered with caution, since not all the athletes have increased and not by the same magnitude.