Comparison between muscle activation measured by electromyography and muscle thickness measured using ultrasonography for effective muscle assessment

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 614-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Yong Kim ◽  
Jong-Duk Choi ◽  
Suhn-Yeop Kim ◽  
Duck-Won Oh ◽  
Jin-Kyung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Muscle Thickness

Strength training the free limb attenuates strength loss during unilateral immobilization

2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 830-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan P. Farthing ◽  
Joel R. Krentz ◽  
Charlene R. A. Magnus
Keyword(s):  
Strength Training ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Strength Loss ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Ulnar Deviation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cross Education ◽  
The Right ◽  
Arm Strength

The objective was to determine if strength training the free limb during a 3-wk period of unilateral immobilization attenuates strength loss in the immobilized limb through cross-education. Thirty right-handed participants were assigned to three groups. One group ( n = 10) wore a cast and trained the free arm (Cast-Train). A second group ( n = 10) wore a cast and did not train (Cast). A third group ( n = 10) received no treatment (control). Casts were applied to the nondominant (left) wrist and hand by a physician. Strength training was maximal isometric ulnar deviation (right hand) 5 days/wk. Peak torque (dynamometer), electromyography (EMG), and muscle thickness (ultrasound) were assessed in both arms before and after the intervention. Cast-Train improved right arm strength [14.3 (SD 5.0) to 17.7 (SD 4.8) N·m; P < 0.05] with no significant muscle hypertrophy [3.73 (SD 0.43) to 3.84 (SD 0.52) cm; P = 0.09]. The immobilized arm of Cast-Train did not change in strength [13.9 (SD 4.3) to 14.2 (SD 4.6) N·m] or muscle thickness [3.61 (SD 0.51) to 3.57 (SD 0.43) cm]. The immobilized arm of Cast decreased in strength [12.2 (SD 3.8) to 10.4 (SD 2.5) N·m; P < 0.05] and muscle thickness [3.47 (SD 0.59) to 3.32 (SD 0.55) cm; P < 0.05]. Control showed no changes in the right arm [strength: 15.3 (SD 6.1) to 14.3 (SD 5.8) N·m; muscle thickness: 3.57 (SD 0.68) to 3.52 (SD 0.75) cm] or left arm [strength: 14.5 (SD 5.3) to 13.7 (SD 6.1) N·m; muscle thickness: 3.55 (SD 0.77) to 3.51 (SD 0.70) cm]. Agonist muscle activation remained unchanged after the intervention for both arms [right: 302 (SD 188) to 314 (SD 176) μV; left: 261 (SD 139) to 288 (SD 151) μV] with no group differences. Strength training of the free limb attenuated strength loss in the immobilized limb during unilateral immobilization. Strength training may have prevented muscle atrophy in the immobilized limb.

scholarly journals Force production and muscle activation during partial vs. full range of motion in Paralympic Powerlifting

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0257810
Author(s):  
Tanise Pires Mendonça ◽  
Felipe José Aidar ◽  
Dihogo Gama Matos ◽  
Raphael Fabrício Souza ◽  
Anderson Carlos Marçal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Pectoralis Major Muscle ◽  
National Level ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Pectoralis Major ◽  
Post Exercise

Paralympic Powerlifting is a sport in which the strength of the upper limbs is assessed through bench press performance in an adapted specific bench. It is therefore essential to optimize training methods to maximize this performance. The aim of the present study was to compare force production and muscle activation involved in partial vs. full range of motion (ROM) training in Paralympic Powerlifting. Twelve male athletes of elite national level in Paralympic Powerlifting participated in the study (28.60 ± 7.60 years of age, 71.80 ± 17.90 kg of body mass). The athletes performed five sets of 5RM (repetition maximum), either with 90% of 1RM in full ROM or with a load of 130% 1RM in partial ROM. All subjects underwent both exercise conditions in consecutive weeks. Order assignment in the first week was random and counterbalanced. Fatigue index (FI), Maximum Isometric Force (MIF), Time to MIF (Time) and rate of force development (RFD) were determined by a force sensor. Muscle thickness was obtained using ultrasound images. All measures were taken pre- and post-training. Additionally, electromyographic signal (EMG) was evaluated in the last set of each exercise condition. Post-exercise fatigue was higher with full ROM as well as loss of MIF. Full ROM also induced greater. EMG showed greater activation of the Clavicular portion and Sternal portion of pectoralis major muscle and lower in the anterior portion of deltoid muscle when full ROM was performed. Muscle thickness of the pectoralis major muscle increased post-exercise. We concluded that training with partial ROM enables higher workloads with lower loss of muscle function.

scholarly journals Fused Ultrasound And Electromyography-Driven Neuromuscular Model To Improve Plantarflexion Moment Prediction Across Walking Speeds

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Natalie Fragnito ◽  
Jason R. Franz ◽  
Nitin Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Accuracy ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Semg Signal ◽  
Prediction Ability ◽  
Imaging Results ◽  
Speed Mode ◽  
Neurological Injuries ◽  
Walking Speeds

Abstract Background: Improving the prediction ability of a human-machine interface (HMI) is critical to accomplish a bio-inspired or model-based control strategy for rehabilitation interventions, which are of increased interest to assist limb function post neurological injuries. A fundamental role of the HMI is to accurately predict human intent by mapping signals from a mechanical sensor or surface electromyography (sEMG) sensor. These sensors are limited to measuring the resulting limb force or movement or the neural signal evoking the force. As the intermediate mapping in the HMI also depends on muscle contractility, a motivation exists to include architectural features of the muscle as surrogates of dynamic muscle movement, thus further improving the HMI's prediction accuracy. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate a non-invasive sEMG and ultrasound (US) imaging-driven Hill-type neuromuscular model (HNM) for net ankle joint plantarflexion moment prediction. We hypothesize that the fusion of signals from sEMG and US imaging results in a more accurate net plantarflexion moment prediction than sole sEMG or US imaging. Methods: Ten young non-disabled participants walked on a treadmill at speeds of 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, and 1.50 m/s. The proposed HNM consists of two muscle-tendon units. The muscle activation for each unit was calculated as a weighted summation of the normalized sEMG signal and normalized muscle thickness signal from US imaging. The HNM calibration was performed under both single-speed mode and inter-speed mode, and then the calibrated HNM was validated across all walking speeds. Results: On average, the normalized moment prediction root mean square error was reduced by 14.58 % (p = 0.012) and 36.79 % (p < 0.001) with the proposed HNM when compared to sEMG-driven and US imaging-driven HNMs, respectively. Also, the calibrated models with data from the inter-speed mode were more robust than those from single-speed modes for the moment prediction.Conclusions: The proposed sEMG-US imaging-driven HNM can significantly improve the net plantarflexion moment prediction accuracy across multiple walking speeds. The findings imply that the proposed HNM can be potentially used in bio-inspired control strategies for rehabilitative devices due to its superior prediction.

scholarly journals Different Muscle Action Training Protocols on Quadriceps-Hamstrings Neuromuscular Adaptations

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (05) ◽  
pp. 355-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassio Ruas ◽  
Lee Brown ◽  
Camila Lima ◽  
G. Gregory Haff ◽  
Ronei Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Muscle Action ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Electromechanical Delay ◽  
Neuromuscular Adaptations ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Training Protocols

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare three specific concentric and eccentric muscle action training protocols on quadriceps-hamstrings neuromuscular adaptations. Forty male volunteers performed 6 weeks of training (two sessions/week) of their dominant and non-dominant legs on an isokinetic dynamometer. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups; concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON, n=10), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC, n=10), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC, n=10), or no training (CTRL, n=10). Intensity of training was increased every week by decreasing the angular velocity for concentric and increasing it for eccentric groups in 30°/s increments. Volume of training was increased by adding one set every week. Dominant leg quadriceps and hamstrings muscle thickness, muscle quality, muscle activation, muscle coactivation, and electromechanical delay were tested before and after training. Results revealed that all training groups similarly increased MT of quadriceps and hamstrings compared to control (p<0.05). However, CON/ECC and ECC/ECC training elicited a greater magnitude of change. There were no significant differences between groups for all other neuromuscular variables (p>0.05). These findings suggest that different short-term muscle action isokinetic training protocols elicit similar muscle size increases in hamstrings and quadriceps, but not for other neuromuscular variables. Nevertheless, effect sizes indicate that CON/ECC and ECC/ECC may elicit the greatest magnitude of change in muscle hypertrophy.

scholarly journals Differences in Pedaling Technique in Cycling: A Cluster Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 959-964
Author(s):  
Fábio J. Lanferdini ◽  
Rodrigo R. Bini ◽  
Pedro Figueiredo ◽  
Fernando Diefenthaeler ◽  
Carlos B. Mota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Pedal Force ◽  
Cluster 2

Purpose:To employ cluster analysis to assess if cyclists would opt for different strategies in terms of neuromuscular patterns when pedaling at the power output of their second ventilatory threshold (POVT2) compared with cycling at their maximal power output (POMAX).Methods:Twenty athletes performed an incremental cycling test to determine their power output (POMAX and POVT2; first session), and pedal forces, muscle activation, muscle–tendon unit length, and vastus lateralis architecture (fascicle length, pennation angle, and muscle thickness) were recorded (second session) in POMAX and POVT2. Athletes were assigned to 2 clusters based on the behavior of outcome variables at POVT2 and POMAX using cluster analysis.Results:Clusters 1 (n = 14) and 2 (n = 6) showed similar power output and oxygen uptake. Cluster 1 presented larger increases in pedal force and knee power than cluster 2, without differences for the index of effectiveness. Cluster 1 presented less variation in knee angle, muscle–tendon unit length, pennation angle, and tendon length than cluster 2. However, clusters 1 and 2 showed similar muscle thickness, fascicle length, and muscle activation. When cycling at POVT2 vs POMAX, cyclists could opt for keeping a constant knee power and pedal-force production, associated with an increase in tendon excursion and a constant fascicle length.Conclusions:Increases in power output lead to greater variations in knee angle, muscle–tendon unit length, tendon length, and pennation angle of vastus lateralis for a similar knee-extensor activation and smaller pedal-force changes in cyclists from cluster 2 than in cluster 1.

scholarly journals Shifting gears: dynamic muscle shape changes and force-velocity behavior in the medial gastrocnemius

2017 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 1433-1442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor J. M. Dick ◽  
James M. Wakeling
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Force Velocity ◽  
Shape Changes

When muscles contract, they bulge in thickness or in width to maintain a (nearly) constant volume. These dynamic shape changes are tightly linked to the internal constraints placed on individual muscle fibers and play a key functional role in modulating the mechanical performance of skeletal muscle by increasing its range of operating velocities. Yet to date we have a limited understanding of the nature and functional implications of in vivo dynamic muscle shape change under submaximal conditions. This study determined how the in vivo changes in medial gastrocnemius (MG) fascicle velocity, pennation angle, muscle thickness, and subsequent muscle gearing varied as a function of force and velocity. To do this, we obtained recordings of MG tendon length, fascicle length, pennation angle, and thickness using B-mode ultrasound and muscle activation using surface electromyography during cycling at a range of cadences and loads. We found that that increases in contractile force were accompanied by reduced bulging in muscle thickness, reduced increases in pennation angle, and faster fascicle shortening. Although the force and velocity of a muscle contraction are inversely related due to the force-velocity effect, this study has shown how dynamic muscle shape changes are influenced by force and not influenced by velocity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY During movement, skeletal muscles contract and bulge in thickness or width. These shape changes play a key role in modulating the performance of skeletal muscle by increasing its range of operating velocities. Yet to date the underlying mechanisms associated with muscle shape change remain largely unexplored. This study identified muscle force, and not velocity, as the mechanistic driving factor to allow for muscle gearing to vary depending on the contractile conditions during human cycling.

Determining the Effects of Cross-Education on Muscle Strength, Thickness and Cortical Activation Following Limb Immobilization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Madelaine Haggert ◽  
Alan Pearce ◽  
Ashlyn Frazer ◽  
Simin Rahman ◽  
Dawson Kidgell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Cortical Activation ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Cortical Level ◽  
Cross Education ◽  
Limb Immobilization

Purpose: Cross-education (CE) increases strength of both the trained and untrained limb, with emerging evidence, suggesting CE could be used to attenuate muscle strength and thickness following periods of limb immobilization. This study examined the available evidence for the clinical efficacy of CE to attenuate muscle strength, thickness and neural activation during limb immobilization. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of CE on muscle strength, thickness and activation of an immobilized limb.  The evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were pooled to assess effect estimates for changes in strength, muscle thickness and neural activation of the untrained immobilized limb. Results: CE attenuated muscle strength in 5 RCTs (n= 78) which reported a SMD of 1.60 (95% CI 0.62, 2.59; P = 0.001) and muscle thickness, with an SMD of 1.52 (95% CI 0.22, 2.81; P = 0.02) compared to control. There was no difference in muscle activation (SMD of 0.08; 95% CI -0.34, 0.50; P = 0.72), regions of cortical activation (MD 31.8; 95% CI -22.71, 86.31; P = 0.25) or corticospinal excitability (MD 5.2; 95% CI -2.38, 12.78; P = 0.18) compared to control.    Conclusions: These results show that strength training the free limb via cross-education maintains muscle strength and muscle thickness of the immobilized limb compared to control (immobilization only). Because there was no effect on muscle activation, but a large mean difference in cortical activation, it is likely that the attenuation of muscle strength is due to neural adaptations at a cortical level.

scholarly journals Reliability and Validity of the Feedback Sensor for Activating the Transversus Abdominis Muscle

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
Duangruedee Dissanguan ◽  
Patraporn Sitilertpisan ◽  
Suchart Kiatwattanacharoen ◽  
Leonard H. Joseph ◽  
Pinyo Puangmali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Ultrasound Measurement ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Pressure Biofeedback ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Transversus Abdominis Muscle

Background: Core muscle activation is an effective intervention for the management of Low Back Pain (LBP). This study developed new feedback for detecting activation of the transversus abdominis muscle in the lumbar spine. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the feedback device for transversus abdominis muscle contraction. Methods: The participants in this study were 20 healthy males and females (aged 24.1 ± 6.8 years). The feedback sensor was attached to the lumbar support at the front of the trunk. The participants performed an abdominal drawing-in maneuver in order to activate the transversus abdominis muscle, and values from the feedback sensor were collected at the same time. Ultrasound imaging of the transversus abdominis muscle was also collected simultaneously. The feedback sensor collected values at different clinical levels of the pressure biofeedback unit at 64, 66, 68, and 70 mmHg. The protocol was repeated with a 24-hr interval. Intra-class correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation and standard error of measurements were used to examine reliability. The validity of the values obtained from the relationship between the feedback sensor and transversus abdominis muscle thickness was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Results: Test–retest reliability of the feedback sensor was excellent (ICC = 0.946, CV = 2.6%, SEMs = 0.54%). Values of the feedback sensor reported a significantly moderate correlation with the gold standard ultrasound measurement (r = - 0.514, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The feedback device demonstrated potential reliability and validity for clinical use by indicating activation of the transversus abdominis muscle.

scholarly journals Gastrocnemius Muscle Architecture in Elite Basketballers and Cyclists: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha May ◽  
Simon Locke ◽  
Michael Kingsley
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Tibial Length ◽  
Significant Difference

Eccentric and concentric actions produce distinct mechanical stimuli and result in different adaptations in skeletal muscle architecture. Cycling predominantly involves concentric activity of the gastrocnemius muscles, while playing basketball requires both concentric and eccentric actions to support running, jumping, and landing. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the architecture of gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) between elite basketballers and cyclists. A trained sonographer obtained three B-mode ultrasound images from GM and GL muscles in 44 athletes (25 basketballers and 19 cyclists; 24 ± 5 years of age). The images were digitized and average fascicle length (FL), pennation angle (θ), and muscle thickness were calculated from three images per muscle. The ratio of FL to tibial length (FL/TL) and muscle thickness to tibial length (MT/TL) was also calculated to account for the potential scaling effect of stature. In males, no significant differences were identified between the athletic groups in all parameters in the GM, but a significant difference existed in muscle thickness in the GL. In basketballers, GL was 2.5 mm thicker (95% CI: 0.7–4.3 mm, p = 0.011) on the left side and 2.6 mm thicker (95% CI: 0.6–5.7 mm, p = 0.012) on the right side; however, these differences were not significant when stature was accounted for (MT/TL). In females, significant differences existed in the GM for all parameters including FL/TL and MT/TL. Female cyclists had longer FL in both limbs (MD: 11.2 and 11.3 mm), narrower θ (MD: 2.1 and 1.8°), and thicker muscles (MD: 2.1 and 2.5 mm). For the GL, female cyclists had significantly longer FL (MD: 5.2 and 5.8 mm) and narrower θ (MD: 1.7 and 2.3°) in both limbs; no differences were observed in absolute muscle thickness or MT/TL ratio. Differences in gastrocnemius muscle architecture were observed between female cyclists and basketballers, but not between males. These findings suggest that participation in sport-specific training might influence gastrocnemius muscle architecture in elite female athletes; however, it remains unclear as to whether gastrocnemius architecture is systematically influenced by the different modes of muscle activation between these respective sports.

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