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Kwok WY, So BCL, Ng SMS. Underwater Surface Electromyography for the Evaluation of Muscle Activity during Front Crawl Swimming: A Systematic Review. J Sports Sci Med 2023; 22:1-16. [PMID: 36876189 PMCID: PMC9982531 DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2023.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review is aimed to provide an up-to-date summary and review on the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) in evaluating front crawl (FC) swim performance. Several online databases were searched by different combinations of selected keywords, in total 1956 articles were retrieved, and each article was assessed by a 10-item quality checklist. 16 articles were eligible to be included in this study, and most of the articles were evaluating the muscle activity about the swimming phases and focused on assessing the upper limbs muscles, only few studies have assessed the performance in starts and turns phases. Insufficient information about these two phases despite the critical contribution on final swimming time. Also, with the contribution roles of legs and trunk muscles in swimming performance, more research should be conducted to explore the overall muscle activation pattern and their roles on swimming performance. Moreover, more detailed description in participants' characteristics and more investigations of bilateral muscle activity and the asymmetrical effects on relevant biomechanical performance are recommended. Lastly, with increasing attention about the effects of muscles co-activation on swimming performance, more in-depth investigations on this topic are also highly recommended, for evaluating its influence on swimmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Yu Kwok
- Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Billy Chun Lung So
- Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.,Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Sheung Mei Shamay Ng
- Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
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Phothirook P, Amatachaya S, Peungsuwan P. Muscle Activity and Co-Activation of Gait Cycle during Walking in Water and on Land in People with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:1854. [PMID: 36767224 PMCID: PMC9914649 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the muscle activity and co-activation index (CoA) of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius medialis (GM,) and tibialis anterior (TA) during walking on land and in water in healthy adolescents compared with those with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (CP) adolescents. METHODS Four healthy individuals (median; age: 14 years, height: 1.57 cm, BMI: 16.58 kg/m2) and nine CP individuals (median; age: 15 years, height: 1.42 cm, BMI: 17.82 kg/m2) participated in this study and performed three walking trials under both conditions. An electromyography (EMG) collection was recorded with a wireless system Cometa miniwave infinity waterproof device, and the signals were collected using customized software named EMG and Motion Tools, Inc. software version 7 (Cometa slr, Milan, Italy) and was synchronized with an underwater VDO camera. RESULTS A significant decrease in the muscle activity of all muscles and CoA of RF/BF muscles, but an increase in TA/GM was observed within the CP group while walking in water during the stance phase. Between groups, there was a lower CoA of RF/BF and a greater CoA of TA/GM during the stance phase while walking in water and on land in the CP group. A non-significant difference was observed within the healthy group. CONCLUSION Walking in water can decrease muscle activity in lower limbs and co-activation of thigh muscles in people with spastic CP, whereas CoA muscles around ankle joints increased to stabilize foot weight acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pariyaporn Phothirook
- Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Sugalya Amatachaya
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Punnee Peungsuwan
- Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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Cesari P, Piscitelli F, Pascucci F, Bertucco M. Postural threat influences the coupling between anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments in response to an external perturbation. Neuroscience 2022; 490:25-35. [PMID: 35276303 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fear of falling increases conscious control of balance and postural threat warrants accurate anticipatory motor commands for keeping a safe body posture. This study examines the anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural adjustments generated in response to an external perturbation while individuals are positioned at two different altitudes (2 cm and 80 cm) from the floor level. The main result indicates that due to the perceived emotional threat, different agonist and antagonist muscles synergies (R and C-Indexes) are manifested, particularly during the anticipatory phase. The results suggest that the CNS sends central commands for anticipating postural adjustments by adopting primarily a muscle reciprocal activation instead of a muscle co-activation strategy. Interestingly, the APAs strategies were modified under different postural threats by controlling the agonist-antagonist muscles at different joints of lower extremity. For CPAs the reciprocal activation was less applied compared to muscles co-activation to unsure larger margin for compensatory adjustments as needed and re-establish the postural stability. The results indicate that when facing to a postural threat, the CNS modulates the anticipatory and compensatory phases of postural adjustments to minimize the risk of falling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cesari
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco Piscitelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco Pascucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Bertucco
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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Hill NM, Sukal-Moulton T, Dewald JPA. Between Limb Muscle Co-activation Patterns in the Paretic Arm During Non-paretic Arm Tasks in Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:666697. [PMID: 34393702 PMCID: PMC8358604 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.666697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tasks of daily life require the independent use of the arms and hands. Individuals with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (HCP) often experience difficulty with fine motor tasks demonstrating mirrored movements between the arms. In this study, bilateral muscle activations were quantified during single arm isometric maximum efforts and submaximal reaching tasks. The magnitude and direction of mirrored activation was examined in 14 individuals with HCP and 9 age-matched controls. Participants generated maximum voluntary torques (MVTs) in five different directions and completed ballistic reaches while producing up to 80% of shoulder abduction MVT. Electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from six upper extremity muscles bilaterally. Participants with HCP demonstrated more mirrored activation when volitionally contracting the non-paretic (NP) arm than the paretic arm (F = 83.543, p < 0.001) in isometric efforts. Increased EMG activation during reach acceleration resulted in a larger increase in rest arm co-activation when reaching with the NP arm compared to the paretic arm in the HCP group (t = 8.425, p < 0.001). Mirrored activation is more pronounced when driving the NP arm and scales with effort level. This directionality of mirroring is indicative of the use of ipsilaterally terminating projections of the corticospinal tract (CST) originating in the non-lesioned hemisphere. Peripheral measures of muscle activation provide insight into the descending pathways available for control of the upper extremity after early unilateral brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayo M Hill
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Theresa Sukal-Moulton
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Julius P A Dewald
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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Elnaggar RK, Alqahtani BA, Elbanna MF. Functional outcomes of botulinum neurotoxin-A injection followed by reciprocal electrical stimulation in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2021; 38:431-441. [PMID: 33252102 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-201088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The integration of therapeutic approaches is increasingly recommended for children with cerebral palsy, to enhance outcomes. Nevertheless, clinicians still opt for separate or combined therapies based on little credible knowledge. OBJECTIVE This study endeavored to evaluate the effect of botulinum neurotoxin-A (BoNT-A) injection and reciprocal neuromuscular electrical stimulation (rNMES) and their combination on the upper extremity function in children with spastic hemiplegia. METHODS Sixty-four children with spastic hemiplegia (aged 6- 10 years) were randomly assigned to four treatment-based groups [group I (BoNT-A), group II (rNMES), group III (combined BoNT-A and rNMES), and group IV (Control)]. All children received a physical rehabilitation program, thrice/week over three months. Unilateral upper-limb function, bimanual hand function, and real-time arm-hand function were assessed using Melbourne Assessment (MA), Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), and Pediatric Motor Activity Log (PMAL) scales respectively pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS Post-treatment, group III achieved greater improvement in MA, AHA, and PMAL compared to other groups (all P < 0.05), and the difference remained in favor of group III at the follow-up (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that BoNT-A and rNMES combined are more effective than either of them alone to enhance upper-extremity function in children with spastic hemiplegia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragab K Elnaggar
- Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Bader A Alqahtani
- Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed F Elbanna
- Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.,Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Kern H, Carraro U. Home-Based Functional Electrical Stimulation of Human Permanent Denervated Muscles: A Narrative Review on Diagnostics, Managements, Results and Byproducts Revisited 2020. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:E529. [PMID: 32751308 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10080529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces muscle wasting that is especially severe after complete and permanent damage of lower motor neurons, as can occur in complete conus and cauda equina syndrome. Even in this worst-case scenario, mass and function of permanently denervated quadriceps muscle can be rescued by surface functional electrical stimulation using a purpose designed home-based rehabilitation strategy. Early diagnostics is a key factor in the long-term success of this management. Function of quadriceps muscle was quantitated by force measurements. Muscle gross cross-sections were evaluated by quantitative color computed tomography (CT) and muscle and skin biopsies by quantitative histology, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. Two years of treatment that started earlier than 5 years from SCI produced: (a) an increase in cross-sectional area of stimulated muscles; (b) an increase in muscle fiber mean diameter; (c) improvements in ultrastructural organization; and (d) increased force output during electrical stimulation. Improvements are extended to hamstring muscles and skin. Indeed, the cushioning effect provided by recovered tissues is a major clinical benefit. It is our hope that new trials start soon, providing patients the benefits they need.
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Carraro U. Thirty years of translational research in Mobility Medicine: Collection of abstracts of the 2020 Padua Muscle Days. Eur J Transl Myol 2020; 30:8826. [PMID: 32499887 PMCID: PMC7254447 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
More than half a century of skeletal muscle research is continuing at Padua University (Italy) under the auspices of the Interdepartmental Research Centre of Myology (CIR-Myo), the European Journal of Translational Myology (EJTM) and recently also with the support of the A&CM-C Foundation for Translational Myology, Padova, Italy. The Volume 30(1), 2020 of the EJTM opens with the collection of abstracts for the conference "2020 Padua Muscle Days: Mobility Medicine 30 years of Translational Research". This is an international conference that will be held between March 18-21, 2020 in Euganei Hills and Padova in Italy. The abstracts are excellent examples of translational research and of the multidimensional approaches that are needed to classify and manage (in both the acute and chronic phases) diseases of Mobility that span from neurologic, metabolic and traumatic syndromes to the biological process of aging. One of the typical aim of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is indeed to reduce pain and increase mobility enough to enable impaired persons to walk freely, garden, and drive again. The excellent contents of this Collection of Abstracts reflect the high scientific caliber of researchers and clinicians who are eager to present their results at the PaduaMuscleDays. A series of EJTM Communications will also add to this preliminary evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Carraro
- Interdepartmental Research Centre of Myology (CIR-Myo), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
- A&C M-C Foundation for Translational Myology, Padova, Italy
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Mayo M, DeForest BA, Castellanos M, Thomas CK. Characterization of Involuntary Contractions after Spinal Cord Injury Reveals Associations between Physiological and Self-Reported Measures of Spasticity. Front Integr Neurosci 2017; 11:2. [PMID: 28232792 PMCID: PMC5299008 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2017.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Correlations between physiological, clinical and self-reported assessments of spasticity are often weak. Our aims were to quantify functional, self-reported and physiological indices of spasticity in individuals with thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI; 3 women, 9 men; 19–52 years), and to compare the strength and direction of associations between these measures. The functional measure we introduced involved recording involuntary electromyographic activity during a transfer from wheelchair to bed which is a daily task necessary for function. High soleus (SL) and tibialis anterior (TA) F-wave/M-wave area ratios were the only physiological measures that distinguished injured participants from the uninjured (6 women, 13 men, 19–67 years). Hyporeflexia (decreased SL H/M ratio) was unexpectedly present in older participants after injury. During transfers, the duration and intensity of involuntary electromyographic activity varied across muscles and participants, but coactivity was common. Wide inter-participant variability was seen for self-reported spasm frequency, severity, pain and interference with function, as well as tone (resistance to imposed joint movement). Our recordings of involuntary electromyographic activity during transfers provided evidence of significant associations between physiological and self-reported measures of spasticity. Reduced low frequency H-reflex depression in SL and high F-wave/M-wave area ratios in TA, physiological indicators of reduced inhibition and greater motoneuron excitability, respectively, were associated with long duration SL and biceps femoris (BF) electromyographic activity during transfers. In turn, participants reported high spasm frequency when transfers involved short duration TA EMG, decreased co-activation between SL and TA, as well as between rectus femoris (RF) vs. BF. Thus, the duration of muscle activity and/or the time of agonist-antagonist muscle coactivity may be used by injured individuals to count spasms. Intense electromyographic activity and high tone related closely (possibly from joint stabilization), while intense electromyographic activity in one muscle of an agonist-antagonist pair (especially in TA vs. SL, and RF vs. BF) likely induced joint movement and was associated with severe spasms. These data support the idea that individuals with SCI describe their spasticity by both the duration and intensity of involuntary agonist-antagonist muscle coactivity during everyday tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Mayo
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Christine K Thomas
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of MiamiMiami, FL, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of MiamiMiami, FL, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of MiamiMiami, FL, USA
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Ranavolo A, Mari S, Conte C, Serrao M, Silvetti A, Iavicoli S, Draicchio F. A new muscle co-activation index for biomechanical load evaluation in work activities. Ergonomics 2015; 58:966-979. [PMID: 25555042 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2014.991764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Low-back disorders (LBDs) are the most common and costly musculoskeletal problem. Muscle co-activation, a mechanism that stabilises the spine, is adopted by the central nervous system to provide added protection and avoid LBDs. However, during high-risk lifting tasks, the compressive load on the spine grows owing to increased co-activation. The aim of this study was to develop a method for the sample-by-sample monitoring of the co-activation of more than two muscles, and to compare this method with agonist-antagonist methods. We propose a time-varying multi-muscle co-activation function that considers electromyographic (EMG) signals as input. EMG data of 10 healthy subjects were recorded while they manually lifted loads at three progressively heavier conditions. The repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of lifting condition on our co-activation index. Heavier conditions resulted in higher muscle co-activation values. Significant correlations were found between the time-varying multi-muscle co-activation index and other agonist-antagonist methods. Practitioner Summary: We have developed a method to quantify muscle co-activation during the execution of a lifting task. To do this we used surface electromyography. Our algorithm provides a measure of time-varying co-activation between more than two muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ranavolo
- a Department of Occupational Medicine , INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, Rome 00040 , Italy
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