scholarly journals The Electromyographic Threshold in Girls and Women

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devon Long ◽  
Raffy Dotan ◽  
Brynlynn Pitt ◽  
Brandon McKinlay ◽  
Thomas D. O’Brien ◽  
...  

Background:The electromyographic threshold (EMGTh) is thought to reflect increased high-threshold/type-II motor-unit (MU) recruitment and was shown higher in boys than in men. Women differ from men in muscular function.Purpose:Establish whether females’ EMGTh and girls–women differences are different than males’.Methods:Nineteen women (22.9 ± 3.3yrs) and 20 girls (10.3 ± 1.1yrs) had surface EMG recorded from the right and left vastus lateralis muscles during ramped cycle-ergometry to exhaustion. EMG root-mean-squares were averaged per pedal revolution. EMGTh was determined as the least residual sum of squares for any two regression-line data divisions, if the trace rose ≥ 3SD above its regression line. EMGTh was expressed as % final power-output (%Pmax) and %VO2pk power (%PVO2pk).Results:EMGTh was detected in 13 (68%) of women, but only 9 (45%) of girls (p < .005) and tended to be higher in the girls (%Pmax= 88.6 ± 7.0 vs. 83.0 ± 6.9%, p = .080; %PVO2pk= (101.6 ± 17.6 vs. 90.6 ± 7.8%, p = .063). When EMGTh was undetected it was assumed to occur at 100%Pmax or beyond. Consequently, EMGTh values turned significantly higher in girls than in women (94.8 ± 7.4 vs. 88.4 ± 9.9%Pmax, p = .026; and 103.2 ± 11.7 vs. 95.2 ± 9.9%PVO2pk, p = .028).Conclusions:During progressive exercise, girls appear to rely less on higher-threshold/type-II MUs than do women, suggesting differential muscle activation strategy.

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Parsons ◽  
Wendy Gilleard

Patellofemoral taping is a technique used in the management of patellofemoral pain that has been shown to alter the pattern of muscle activation onset in symptomatic subjects. It is unknown, however, if this taping technique directly influences the patterns of muscle activity that controls patella position or if its benefits are more related to the effect of pain reduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a taping technique on the muscle activation onset of selected quadriceps muscles where pain was not a confounding factor. Thirteen asymptomatic subjects completed a stair ascent and descent task with the right patella untaped and taped for a medial patella glide. Muscle activation onset was determined by computer algorithm from surface EMG of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO). Taping significantly delayed the muscle activation onset of VMO and VL during stair ascent. There was no significant change for stair descent. This effect may be an attempt by the motor control system to counter the mechanical effect of patella perturbation or may be due to cutaneous stimulation affecting threshold or recruitment of motor units.


Author(s):  
Emily Whitcomb ◽  
Oscar Ortiz ◽  
Jacqueline Toner ◽  
Usha Kuruganti

Abstract Background The bilateral limb deficit (BLD) phenomenon suggests that lower forces are produced with bilateral limb contractions compared to the summed force produced when the same muscles are contracted unilaterally. While interhemispheric inhibition has been suggested as a cause of BLD, the origin of the deficit is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate central and peripheral factors responsible for the BLD during leg press using surface electromyography (EMG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Methods Fourteen adults (age = 23.7 ± 4.7 years old) completed bilateral (BL), unilateral left (UL) and unilateral right (UR) isometric leg press exercises. Bilateral limb ratio (BLR) was calculated similar to previous studies and surface EMG from three muscles of the quadriceps femoris (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and rectus femoris) was used to measure the level of muscle activation. Movement related cortical potentials (MRCPs) over the left and right motor cortex areas (C3 and C4, respectively) were used to assess brain activity asymmetries reflecting central factors. Results No significant difference was noted in the mean BLR (BLR = 94.8%), but a subset of ten participants did demonstrate a BLD (BLR = 81.4%, p < 0.01). Mean differences in relative activation were found among the three quadricep muscles (p < 0.001) with the right VM having significantly higher amplitude for the unilateral right (0.347 ± 0.318 mV) and bilateral right (0.436 ± 0.470 mV) conditions, respectively) than either the VL or RF (p < 0.05). The VL had significantly lower amplitudes in all conditions (0.127 ± 0.138 mV; 0.111 ± 0.104 mV; 0.120 ± 0.105 mV; 0.162 ± 0.147 mV for unilateral left, bilateral left, unilateral right, and bilateral right, respectively). However no overall significant differences were noted between bilateral and unilateral conditions. No significant differences in MRCPs were observed between brain activity of the C3 and C4 electrodes in any of the conditions. Conclusion While the sample size was low, this exploratory study noted the presence of BLD however the results did not provide evidence of significant limitations in either the EMG or EEG data.


2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Grabiner ◽  
Tammy M. Owings

For this study it was hypothesized that when participants intended to perform a maximum voluntary concentric (or eccentric) contraction but had an eccentric (or concentric) contraction imposed upon them, the initial EMG measured during the isometric phase preceding the onset of the dynamometer motion would reflect the intended contraction condition. The surface EMG of the vastus lateralis muscle was measured in 24 participants performing isokinetic concentric and eccentric maximum voluntary knee extensor contractions. The contractions were initiated from rest and from the same knee flexion angle and required the same level of external force to trigger the onset of dynamometer motion. Vastus lateralis EMG were quantified during the isometric phase preceding the onset of the dynamometer motion. When participants intended to perform a concentric contraction but had an eccentric contraction imposed upon them, the initial EMG resembled that of a concentric contraction. When they intended to perform an eccentric contraction but had a concentric contraction imposed upon them, the initial EMG resembled that of an eccentric contraction. Overall, the difference between concentric and eccentric contractions observed during the period of theinitialmuscle activation implies that descending signals include information that distinguishes between eccentric and concentric contractions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 282-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff A. Nessler ◽  
Thomas Hastings ◽  
Kevin Greer ◽  
Sean C. Newcomer

Low back pain is a commonly reported problem among recreational surfers. Some individuals report that wearing a vest with an inflatable bladder that alters trunk angle may help to alleviate pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such a vest has an effect on muscle activation and extension of the lower back. Twelve recreational surfers completed 12 paddling trials at 1.1 m/s in a swim flume on both a shortboard and a longboard on 2 separate days. Three conditions of no vest, vest uninflated, and vest inflated were presented to participants in random order. Surface EMG and trunk angle were acquired via wireless sensors placed over the right erector spinae, mid-trapezius, upper trapezius, and latissimus dorsi. Wearing the inflated vest affected muscle activation: erector spinae and mid-trapezius demonstrated a significant decrease in activation relative to wearing no vest (12% and 18% respectively, p < .05). Trunk extension was also significantly reduced when the vest was inflated (18% reduction, p < .05). Results were similar for both the short and longboard, though this effect was greater while paddling the larger board. These results suggest that a properly inflated vest can alter trunk extension and muscle activity while paddling a surfboard in water.


1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 752-756
Author(s):  
Steven A. Lavender ◽  
Yang-Hwei Tsuang ◽  
Gunnar B.J. Andersson

The present investigation describes the electromyographic (EMG) response of eight trunk muscles during the application of loads to the torso while subjects maintained a twisted posture. The external moments of 20 and 40 Nm were applied to a harness system as each of the 10 subjects twisted 25 degrees. The applied moment direction was varied in 3 0 degree increments completely around the subjects (0 to 33 0 degrees). Surface EMG was used to monitor the left and right Latissimus Dorsi, Erector Spinae, External Oblique, and Rectus Abdominus. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance (MANOVA and ANOVA) procedures showed significant main effects for all muscles and a significant moment magnitude by moment direction interaction effect in 6 of the 8 muscles. The greatest muscle activity was observed in the right Erector Spinae and the left External Oblique muscles. The results are also compared with an earlier study in which a similar loading paradigm was used as subject maintained a neutral upright posture.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinzhuang Xiao ◽  
Junmin Gao ◽  
Hongrui Wang ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
Xincai Yang

Bending forward and squatting down are two common physical tasks in everyday life and at work. This study determined the sEMG characteristics between erector spinae and vastus lateralis during bending forward and squatting down tasks by analyzing the regularity of variation in sEMG frequency domain index-median frequency (MNF) in healthy subjects. The results indicate that sEMG activities in erector spinae are significantly higher than those in the right vastus lateralis during bending forward task. Instead, in squatting down task, sEMG activities in the right vastus lateralis are significantly greater than those in erector spinae. It also shows that the fatigue degree of low back caused by trunk bending is much deeper than that by squatting down. The ratio scope of one-order fitting values of MNF between erector spinae and vastus lateralis ranges from 0.87 to 1.72 among 80% of subjects during bending forward task and ranges from 0.31 to 1.11 during squatting down task. This study provides certain theoretical basis for using the strength of low back in a proper way to avoid getting it hurt in daily physical activities.


Author(s):  
Melinda L. Estes ◽  
Samuel M. Chou

Many muscle diseases show common pathological features although their etiology is different. In primary muscle diseases a characteristic finding is myofiber necrosis. The mechanism of myonecrosis is unknown. Polymyositis is a primary muscle disease characterized by acute and subacute degeneration as well as regeneration of muscle fibers coupled with an inflammatory infiltrate. We present a case of polymyositis with unusual ultrastructural features indicative of the basic pathogenetic process involved in myonecrosis.The patient is a 63-year-old white female with a one history of proximal limb weakness, weight loss and fatigue. Examination revealed mild proximal weakness and diminished deep tendon reflexes. Her creatine kinase was 1800 mU/ml (normal < 140 mU/ml) and electromyography was consistent with an inflammatory myopathy which was verified by light microscopy on biopsy muscle. Ultrastructural study of necrotizing myofiber, from the right vastus lateralis, showed: (1) degradation of the Z-lines with preservation of the adjacent Abands including M-lines and H-bands, (Fig. 1), (2) fracture of the sarcomeres at the I-bands with disappearance of the Z-lines, (Fig. 2), (3) fragmented sarcomeres without I-bands, engulfed by invading phagocytes, (Fig. 3, a & b ), and (4) mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in the endomysium.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (3) ◽  
pp. C528-C536 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Uhal ◽  
S. R. Rannels ◽  
D. E. Rannels

Type II pneumocytes were isolated by either Percoll density gradient centrifugation or by immunoglobulin G (IgG) panning from the lungs of normal rats and the right lung of rats subjected to left pneumonectomy. Cells were studied at 7- (pnx-7) and 15- (pnx-15) days postoperative, times during and after, respectively, rapid compensatory growth of the right lung. Acridine orange staining permitted resolution of type II cells from contaminants on the basis of high red fluorescence (greater than 590 nm). Simultaneous measurement of forward-angle light scatter (FALS) suggested a shift of pnx-7 cells toward greater size, which was reversed in pnx-15 cells. By Percoll gradient isolation, approximately 15% of pnx-7 cells analyzed were above the mean FALS of control cells. In contrast, approximately 30% of the pnx-7 cells isolated by IgG panning were above the mean FALS of corresponding control cells. Biochemical analyses of pnx-7 cells separated by cell sorting into "high FALS" and "low FALS" subgroups revealed that high FALS type II cells contained 50% more protein (P less than 0.05) and 140% more RNA (P less than 0.01) than low FALS cells, with no significant change in cellular DNA content. These data are consistent with previous studies of type II cells isolated from the lungs of pneumonectomized animals and confirm the presence of hypertrophic cells in these preparations. They provide a foundation from which to design further flow cytometric studies of the role of hypertrophic type II pneumocytes in compensatory lung growth.


2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Danuta Roman-Liu ◽  
Krzysztof Kȩdzior

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of constant or intermittent load on muscle activation and fatigue. The analysis and assessment of muscular activation and fatigue was based on surface EMG measurements from eight muscles (seven muscles of the right upper limb and trapezius muscle). Two EMG signal parameters were analyzed for each of the experimental conditions distinguished by the value of the external force and the character of the load – constant or intermittent. The amplitude related to its maximum (AMP) and the slope of the regression line between time and median frequency (SMF) were the EMG parameters that were analyzed. The results showed that constant load caused higher muscular fatigue than intermittent load despite the lower value of the external force and lower muscle activation. Results suggest that additional external force might influence muscle activation and fatigue more than upper limb posture. The results of the study support the thesis that all biomechanical factors which influence upper limb load and fatigue (upper limb posture, external force and time sequences) should be considered when work stands and work processes are designed. They also indicate that constant load should be especially avoided.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Young Ko ◽  
Hayoung Kim ◽  
Joonyoung Jang ◽  
Jun Chang Lee ◽  
Ju Seok Ryu

AbstractAge-related weakness due to atrophy and fatty infiltration in oropharyngeal muscles may be related to dysphagia in older adults. However, little is known about changes in the oropharyngeal muscle activation pattern in older adults. This was a prospective and experimental study. Forty healthy participants (20 older [> 60 years] and 20 young [< 60 years] adults) were enrolled. Six channel surface electrodes were placed over the bilateral suprahyoid (SH), bilateral retrohyoid (RH), thyrohyoid (TH), and sternothyroid (StH) muscles. Electromyography signals were then recorded twice for each patient during swallowing of 2 cc of water, 5 cc of water, and 5 cc of a highly viscous fluid. Latency, duration, and peak amplitude were measured. The activation patterns were the same, in the order of SH, TH, and StH, in both groups. The muscle activation patterns were classified as type I and II; the type I pattern was characterized by a monophasic shape, and the type II comprised a pre-reflex phase and a main phase. The oropharyngeal muscles and SH muscles were found to develop a pre-reflex phase specifically with increasing volume and viscosity of the swallowed fluid. Type I showed a different response to the highly viscous fluid in the older group compared to that in the younger group. However, type II showed concordant changes in the groups. Therefore, healthy older people were found to compensate for swallowing with a pre-reflex phase of muscle activation in response to increased liquid volume and viscosity, to adjust for age-related muscle weakness.


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