A review on muscle activation behaviour during gait in shallow water and deep-water running and surface electromyography procedures

Background: Surface electromyography (sEMG) can provide information on muscle activation patterns during gait. Objectives: To characterize electromyographic activity during gait in shallow water and during deep-water running compare to on land and to review and analyse underwater surface-electromyographic (sEMG) procedures. Search methods: Eight databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, WEB OF SCIENCE, SPORT Discus, CINAHL, SCOPUS, SCIELO, and LILACS) were searched from their inception to the December of 2019. Selection criteria: The selected studies had to be related to electromyographic analysis of gait in an aquatic environment. Data collection and analysis: The studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed by two independent reviewers and divided into four groups. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Lower muscle activation was found with treadmill water walking compared to treadmill land walking. With deep-water running, the leg muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateralis) have lower muscle activation when compared to on land running, but the trunk and thigh muscles have higher activation. Conclusion: If gait is performed on an aquatic treadmill, the muscles assessed had lower muscle activation when compared to land. During deep-water running activities, lower activation of the distal leg muscles and a higher activation thigh muscles were found when compared to on land. Studies did not follow standard processes in sEMG procedures.