The Relationship Between Joint Stiffness and Muscle Activity in Unstable Ankles and Copers

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan R. Needle ◽  
Thomas W. Kaminski ◽  
Jochen Baumeister ◽  
Jill S. Higginson ◽  
William B. Farquhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Ankle Injury ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Injury Rehabilitation ◽  
Ankle Stiffness ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Context:Rolling sensations at the ankle are common after injury and represent failure in neural regulation of joint stiffness. However, deficits after ankle injury are variable and strategies for optimizing stiffness may differ across patients.Objective:To determine if ankle stiffness and muscle activation differ between patients with varying history of ankle injury.Patients:Fifty-nine individuals were stratified into healthy (CON, n = 20), functionally unstable (UNS, n = 19), and coper (COP, n = 20) groups.Main Outcome Measures:A 20° supination perturbation was applied to the ankle as position and torque were synchronized with activity of tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and soleus. Subjects were tested with muscles relaxed, while maintaining 30% muscle activation, and while directed to react and resist the perturbation.Results:No group differences existed for joint stiffness (F = 0.07, P = .993); however, the UNS group had higher soleus and less tibialis anterior activation than the CON group during passive trials (P < .05). In addition, greater early tibialis anterior activation generally predicted higher stiffness in the CON group (P ≤ .03), but greater soleus activity improved stiffness in the UNS group (P = .03).Conclusion:Although previous injury does not affect the ability to stiffen the joint under laboratory conditions, strategies appear to differ. Generally, the COP has decreased muscle activation, whereas the UNS uses greater plantar-flexor activity. The results of this study suggest that clinicians should emphasize correct preparatory muscle activation to improve joint stiffness in injury-rehabilitation efforts.

Hip-Abduction Torque and Muscle Activation in People With Low Back Pain

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Sutherlin ◽  
Joseph M. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Hip Muscle ◽  
Hip Abduction ◽  
History Of

Context:Individuals with a history of low back pain (LBP) may present with decreased hip-abduction strength and increased trunk or gluteus maximus (GMax) fatigability. However, the effect of hip-abduction exercise on hip-muscle function has not been previously reported.Objective:To compare hip-abduction torque and muscle activation of the hip, thigh, and trunk between individuals with and without a history of LBP during repeated bouts of side-lying hip-abduction exercise.Design:Repeated measures.Setting:Clinical laboratory.Participants:12 individuals with a history of LBP and 12 controls.Intervention:Repeated 30-s hip-abduction contractions.Main Outcome Measures:Hip-abduction torque, normalized root-mean-squared (RMS) muscle activation, percent RMS muscle activation, and forward general linear regression.Results:Hip-abduction torque reduced in all participants as a result of exercise (1.57 ± 0.36 Nm/kg, 1.12 ± 0.36 Nm/kg; P < .001), but there were no group differences (F = 0.129, P = .723) or group-by-time interactions (F = 1.098, P = .358). All participants had increased GMax activation during the first bout of exercise (0.96 ± 1.00, 1.18 ± 1.03; P = .038). Individuals with a history of LBP had significantly greater GMax activation at multiple points during repeated exercise (P < .05) and a significantly lower percent of muscle activation for the GMax (P = .050) at the start of the third bout of exercise and for the biceps femoris (P = .039) at the end of exercise. The gluteal muscles best predicted hip-abduction torque in controls, while no consistent muscles were identified for individuals with a history of LBP.Conclusions:Hip-abduction torque decreased in all individuals after hip-abduction exercise, although individuals with a history of LBP had increased GMax activation during exercise. Gluteal muscle activity explained hip-abduction torque in healthy individuals but not in those with a history of LBP. Alterations in hip-muscle function may exist in individuals with a history of LBP.

Influence of Ankle Injury on Muscle Activation and Postural Control During Ballet Grand Plié

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Wei Lin ◽  
Fong-Chin Su ◽  
Cheng-Feng Lin
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Ankle Injury ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Temporal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns

Ballet deep squat with legs rotated externally (grand plié) is a fundamental movement for dancers. However, performing this task is a challenge to ankle control, particularly for those with ankle injury. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate how ankle sprains affect the ability of postural and muscular control during grand plié in ballet dancers. Thirteen injured dancers and 20 uninjured dancers performed a 15 second grand plié consisting of lowering, squatting, and rising phases. The lower extremity motion patterns and muscle activities, pelvic orientation, and center of pressure (COP) excursion were measured. In addition, a principal component analysis was applied to analyze waveforms of muscle activity in bilateral medial gastrocnemius, peroneus longus, and tibialis anterior. Our findings showed that the injured dancers had smaller pelvic motions and COP excursions, greater maximum angles of knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion as well as different temporal activation patterns of the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior. These findings suggested that the injured dancers coped with postural challenges by changing lower extremity motions and temporal muscle activation patterns.

scholarly journals Sports Related Concussion Impacts Speech Rate and Muscle Function

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell E. Banks ◽  
Deryk S. Beal ◽  
Eric J. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Function ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Michigan State University ◽  
State University ◽  
The Past ◽  
Student Community ◽  
History Of ◽  
Concussion History

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine speech rate and muscle function in athletes with and without sports related concussion (SRC).MethodsWe recruited 30 athletes aged 19-22 years-old who had sustained a SRC within the past 2 years and 30 pair-wise matched controls with no history of SRC from the student community at Michigan State University. Speech rate and muscle function were evaluated during diadochokinetic (DDK) tasks. Speech rate was measured via average time per syllable, average unvoiced time per syllable, and expert perceptual judgement. Speech muscle function was measured via surface electromyography over the obicularis oris, masseter, and segmental triangle. Group differences were assessed using MANOVA, bootstrapping and predictive ROC analyses.ResultsAthletes with SRC had slower speech rates during DDK tasks than controls as evidenced by longer average time per syllable (F(1, 52) = 11.072, p =.002, [95% CI : .01 to .04]), longer average unvoiced time per syllable (F(1, 52) = 16.031, p < .000, [95% CI : .01 to .029] and expert judgement of slowed rate (F(1, 22) = 9.782, p = .005, [95% CI : .163 to .807]). Rate measures were predictive of concussion history. Further, athletes with SRC required more speech muscle activation than controls to complete the DDK tasks (F(1, 3) = 17.12, p =.000, [95% CI: .003 to .006]).ConclusionWe found clear evidence of slowed speech and increased muscle activation during the completion of DDK tasks in athletes with SRC histories relative to controls. Speech rate and muscle assessment should be incorporated into clinical evaluation of concussion.

The Effect of Fatigue on Leg Muscle Activation and Tibial Acceleration During a Jumping Task

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1093-1099
Author(s):  
Michelle A. Sandrey ◽  
Yu-Jen Chang ◽  
Jean L. McCrory
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
History Of ◽  
Linear Envelope ◽  
And Control

Context: Lower-extremity stress fractures (SFx) are a common occurrence during load-bearing activities of jumping and landing. To detect biomechanical changes during jumping postinjury, a fatigue model could be used. Objective: To evaluate muscle activation in the lower leg and tibial accelerations (TAs) prefatigue to postfatigue following a jumping task in those with and without a history of SFx. Design: Repeated-measures. Setting: Athletic Training Research Lab. Participants: A total of 30 active college-aged students with and without a history of lower-extremity (leg or foot) SFx (15 males and 15 females; 21.5 [5.04] y, height = 173.5 [12.7] cm, weight = 72.65 [16.4] kg). Intervention: A maximal vertical jump on one leg 3 times with arms folded across the chest prefatigue to postfatigue was performed. Fatigue protocol was standing heel raises on a custom-built platform at a pace controlled by a metronome until task failure was reached. Legs were tested using a randomized testing order. Electromyographic (EMG) surface electrodes were placed on the medial gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior following a standardized placement protocol. A triaxial accelerometer was attached to the proximal anteromedial surface of the tibia. Main Outcome Measures: Linear envelopes of the medial gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior and peak accelerations (resultant acceleration takeoff and landing). Results: Significant interaction for leg × test for tibialis anterior with a posttest difference between SFx and control (P = .05). There were decreases in EMG linear envelope following fatigue for medial gastrocnemius (P < .01) and tibialis anterior (P = .12) pretest to posttest. At takeoff, TA was greater in the SFx contralateral leg in comparison with the control leg (P = .04). At landing, TA was greater in posttest (P < .01) and in the SFx leg compared with SFx contralateral (P = .14). Conclusion: A decrease in muscle activity and an increase in TA following fatigue were noted for all subjects but especially for those with a history of SFx.

Muscle Preactivation Control: Simulation of Ankle Joint Adjustments at Touchdown During Running on Uneven Ground

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 718-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Müller ◽  
Tobias Siebert ◽  
Reinhard Blickhan
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Musculoskeletal Model ◽  
Uneven Terrain ◽  
Ankle Stiffness ◽  
Ankle Angle ◽  
Antagonistic Muscles ◽  
Vertical Height

In locomotion, humans have to deal with irregularities in the ground. When they encounter uneven terrain with changes in vertical height, they adjust the geometry of their legs. Recent investigations have shown that the preactivation of the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) correlates with the ankle angle at touchdown, but it is as of yet unclear why these adjustments were achieved by the GM and not by the preactivation of the tibialis anterior (TA). To examine the differences between TA regulation and GM regulation regarding (1) ankle angle adjustment and (2) joint stiffness, we used a three-segment musculoskeletal model with two antagonistic muscles (GM, TA). During the GM regulation, the ankle angle was adjusted from 121° to 109° (dorsiflexion) by a 41% decrease in the GM activation. During the TA regulation, the activation of TA must be increased by about 52%. In addition, we found that the ankle stiffness was most sensitive to changes in activation of the GM and decreased by about 20% while adjusting the angle. In contrast, the ankle stiffness remains similar when using TA regulation. Thus, the GM regulation is more adequate for adjustment in the ankle joint, enabling sufficient regulation of angle and stiffness.

The Effect of Ankle Kinesio Tape on Ankle Muscle Activity During a Drop Landing

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirleeah D. Fayson ◽  
Alan R. Needle ◽  
Thomas W. Kaminski
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Drop Jump ◽  
Joint Stability ◽  
Kinesio Tape ◽  
Time To Peak ◽  
History Of

Context:The use of Kinesio Tape among health care professional has grown recently in efforts to efficiently prevent and treat joint injuries. However, limited evidence exists regarding the efficacy of this technique in enhancing joint stability and neuromuscular control.Objective:To determine how Kinesio Tape application to the ankle joint alters forces and muscle activity during a drop-jump maneuver.Design:Single-group pretest– posttest.Setting:University laboratory.Subjects:22 healthy adults with no previous history of ankle injury.Interventions:Participants were instrumented with electromyography on the lower-leg muscles as they jumped from a 35-cm platform onto force plates. Test trials were performed without tape (BL), immediately after application of Kinesio Tape to the ankle (KT-I), and after 24 h of continued use (KT-24).Main Outcome Measures:Peak ground-reaction forces (GRFs) and time to peak GRF were compared across taping conditions, and the timing and amplitude of muscle activity from the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and lateral gastrocnemius were compared across taping conditions.Results:No significant differences in amplitude or timing of GRFs were observed (P > .05). However, muscle activity was observed to decrease from BL to KT-I in the tibialis anterior (P = .027) and from BL to KT-24 in the PL (P = .022).Conclusions:The data suggest that Kinesio Tape decreases muscle activity in the ankle during a drop-jump maneuver, although no changes in GRFs were observed. This is contrary to the proposed mechanisms of Kinesio Tape. Further research might investigate how this affects participants with a history of injury.

Do fiction writers have superior perspective taking ability?

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theanna Bischoff ◽  
Joan Peskin
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Writing Quality ◽  
Fiction Writing ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Fiction Writers ◽  
The Relationship

In investigating the relationship between fiction writing and perspective taking, beliefs about the ability of fiction writers to correctly infer the mental states of others were assessed via survey, in comparison to other professions. Next, two groups of fiction writers (established and intermediate) and a control group were compared across different measures of perspective taking. Possible moderating variables such as age, verbal intelligence, depressive symptoms, and fiction reading were measured. Participants provided writing samples, which were scored for quality. Analyses revealed that the general public believes fiction writers demonstrate above-average perspective-taking ability; however, empirical tests revealed no significant between-group differences on the outcome measures, nor any relationship between fiction writing quality and any outcome measures. The results of the suggest that fiction writers are no better than similar individuals who do not write fiction in terms of their ability to infer others’ mental states or take their perspectives.

scholarly journals The Effect of Tibial Rotation on the Presence of Instability in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Knee

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Samukawa ◽  
David Magee ◽  
Masaki Katayose
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Tibial Rotation ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Acl Deficient ◽  
Control Study

Context:The effects of tibial rotation after ACL injury have not yet been well determined.Objective:To show whether clinical outcomes such as the amount of tibial rotation can affect functional outcomes in normal and ACL deficient knees.Design:Case control study.Setting:Research laboratory.Participants:Twenty normal subjects (Control) and 20 subjects with ACL deficient knees (ACL).Main Outcome Measures:Tibial rotation at 30 and 90 degrees of knee flexion was measured using an inclinometer. One-legged hop, crossover hop, figure-of-eight running and 10-m running tests were used and determined the effect(s) of tibial rotation on the outcome of the functional tests.Results:There were significant between-group differences in internal and external rotation. The relationship between external tibial rotation and the figure-of-eight index was significantly negatively correlated.Conclusions:The amount of tibial rotation is greater in ACL ruptured knees than in uninjured knees, and these greater amounts of tibial rotation affected the figure-of-eight running index.

Effects of Menthol-Based Counterirritant on Quadriceps Motoneuron-Pool Excitability

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Huffman ◽  
Brian G. Pietrosimone ◽  
Terry L. Grindstaff ◽  
Joseph M. Hart ◽  
Susan A. Saliba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Motoneuron Pool ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
History Of ◽  
Anterior Knee

Context:Motoneuron-pool facilitation after cryotherapy may be mediated by stimulation of thermoreceptors surrounding a joint. It is unknown whether menthol counterirritants, which also stimulate thermoreceptors, have the same effect on motoneuron-pool excitability (MNPE).Objective:To compare quadriceps MNPE after a menthol-counterirritant application to the anterior knee, a sham counterirritant application, and a control treatment in healthy subjects.Design:A blinded, randomized controlled laboratory study.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:Thirty healthy subjects (16 m, 14 f; 24.1 ± 3.9 y, 170.6 ± 11.4 cm, 72.1 ± 15.6 kg) with no history of lower extremity surgery volunteered for this study.Intervention:Two milliliters of menthol or sham counterirritant was applied to the anterior knee; control subjects received no intervention.Main Outcome Measures:The average vastus medialis normalized Hoffmann reflex (Hmax:Mmax ratio) was used to measure MNPE. Measurements were recorded at 5, 15, 25, and 35 minutes postintervention and compared with baseline measures.Results:Hmax:Mmax ratios for all groups significantly decreased over time (F4,108 = 10.52, P < .001; menthol: baseline = .32 ± .20, 5 min = .29 ± .18, 15 min = .27 ± .18, 25 min = .28 ± .19, 35 min = .27 ± .18; sham: baseline = .46 ± .26, 5 min = .36 ± .20, 15 min = .35 ± .19, 25 min = .35 ± .20, 35 min = .34 ± .18; control: baseline = .48 ± .32, 5 min = .37 ± .27, 15 min = .37 ± .27, 25 min = .37 ± .29, 35 min = .35 ± .28). No significant Group × Time interaction or group differences in Hmax:Mmax were found.Conclusions:Menthol did not affect quadriceps MNPE in healthy subjects.

Shoulder-Muscle Activation in Individuals With Previous Shoulder Injuries

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa Muething ◽  
Shellie Acocello ◽  
Kimberly A. Pritchard ◽  
Stephen F. Brockmeier ◽  
Susan A. Saliba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Shoulder Injuries ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
History Of ◽  
Anterior Deltoid ◽  
Lower Trapezius

Context:Understanding how muscles activate in a population with a previous glenohumeral-joint (GH) injury may help clinicians understand how to build a conservative treatment plan to strengthen or activate the specific muscles in an attempt to reduce recurrent shoulder injury and development of GH laxity.Objective:To investigate muscle-activation differences between the previously injured limb of individuals with a history of GH-joint injury and healthy matched controls during functional isometric contractions.Design:Case control.Setting:University research laboratory.Participants:17 individuals (8 women, 9 men; age 22.3 ± 2.6 y, height 172.4 ± 8.8 cm, mass 75.4 ± 16.5 kg) with previous unilateral shoulder pain and 17 (8 women, 9 men; age 22.9 ± 3.9 y, height 170.9 ± 11.3 cm, mass 73.6 ± 22.9 kg) with no history of shoulder pain or injury.Intervention(s):Diagnostic ultrasound measurements of the supraspinatus were completed in both resting and contracted states to assess changes in muscle thickness. Manual muscle tests (anterior deltoid, upper trapezius, infraspinatus, lower trapezius, serratus anterior) and functional isometric contractions (forward flexion, scaption, abduction) were measured using electromyography.Main Outcome Measures:Peak, normalized activation of each muscle and supraspinatus thickness activation ratio were compared between groups and bilaterally within groups using separate ANOVAs.Results:The anterior deltoid was significantly less activated during all functional isometric tasks in previously injured subjects than in healthy subjects (P = .024). In previously injured subjects, the involved limb-lower trapezius was significantly less activated during scaption and abduction tasks than the contralateral side (P = .022 and P = .031, respectively).Conclusions:There were decreases in muscle activation in the anterior deltoid between previously injured and healthy people, as well as in the lower trapezius, in previously injured subjects. Understanding the source of muscle-activation deficits can help clinicians focus rehabilitation exercises on specific muscles.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document