Does Pilates Breathing affect the Biceps Brachii neuromuscular efficiency during submaximal contraction

All sEMG data were normalized using the MVIC, and the mean muscle activities during concentric and eccentric phases of the biceps brachii muscles were calculated. All information was recorded and processed offline using the MIOTEC Suite™ software (MI-OTEC™; Biomedical Equipment). To set the elbow movement onset, the concen-tric-eccentric phase switch, and the end of the elbow movement, all movements were rec-orded using a camera synchronized to the sEMG acquisition. Markers were digitally set for each event (onset, switch, and end). Next, the concentric and eccentric biceps brachii electromyographic signals were windowed following the established video markers.
Neuromuscular efficiency index was determined calculating the ratio between the mean of sEMG activity (EMGs) normalized by MVIC and the corresponding percentage force (20%, 40% and 60% of MVIC). This variable was expressed as (%/Kgf). In this context, a lower ratio value indicates greater neuromuscular efficiency, meaning that the muscle can generate the required force with less electrical activity, reflecting a more optimized neuromuscular performance