Muscle activation when using the shake weigt? in comparison to traditional dumbbells

Abstract

To determine the amount of muscle activation when using the Shake Weight in comparison to a traditional dumbbell of equal size. Methods: Sixteen apparently healthy volunteers served as subjects in the study. After three practice sessions, each subject completed two randomized exercise trials: Shake Weight? and equal sized dumbbell. To measure muscle activation, electromyography (EMG) was recorded at four upper body sites. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was carried out for each muscle prior to exercise trials. The averaged EMG values from each exercise trial were represented as a percentage of EMG collected during MVIC trials for each specific muscle. Results: The muscle activation values were higher, for all muscles, for all Shake Weight? exercises, compared to dumbbell exercises. On average, total muscle activity (the sum of the % MVIC values for all four muscles) was 66% greater when performing a Shake Weight? exercise compared to a dumbbell exercise. Conclusions: It is concluded that when summing up all four muscles for any given exercise, there is statistically greater average muscle activation for the Shake Weight? in comparison to the traditional dumbbell of equal size. Thus using the Shake Weight? may result in strength improvement if used regularly.