Uncertainty of knee joint muscle activity during knee joint torque exertion: the significance of controlling adjacent joint torque

2005 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 1093-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daichi Nozaki ◽  
Kimitaka Nakazawa ◽  
Masami Akai
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Hip Joint ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Internal Variability ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Custom Made

In the single-joint torque exertion task, which has been widely used to control muscle activity, only the relevant joint torque is specified. However, the neglect of the neighboring joint could make the procedure unreliable, considering our previous result that even monoarticular muscle activity level is indefinite without specifying the adjacent joint torque. Here we examined the amount of hip joint torque generated with knee joint torque and its influence on the activity of the knee joint muscles. Twelve healthy subjects were requested to exert various levels of isometric knee joint torque. The knee and hip joint torques were obtained by using a custom-made device. Because no information about hip joint torque was provided to the subjects, the hip joint torque measured here was a secondary one associated with the task. The amount of hip joint torque varied among subjects, indicating that they adopted various strategies to achieve the task. In some subjects, there was a considerable internal variability in the hip joint torque. Such variability was not negligible, because the knee joint muscle activity level with respect to the knee joint torque, as quantified by surface electromyography (EMG), changed significantly when the subjects were requested to change the strategy. This change occurred in a very systematic manner: in the case of the knee extension, as the hip flexion torque was larger, the activity of mono- and biarticular knee extensors decreased and increased, respectively. These results indicate that the conventional single knee joint torque exertion has the drawback that the intersubject and/or intertrial variability is inevitable in the relative contribution among mono- and biarticular muscles because of the uncertainty of the hip joint torque. We discuss that the viewpoint that both joint torques need to be considered will bring insights into various controversial problems such as the shape of the EMG-force relationship, neural factors that help determine the effect of muscle strength training, and so on.

Force fluctuations are modulated by alternate muscle activity of knee extensor synergists during low-level sustained contraction

2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 2121-2131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoki Kouzaki ◽  
Minoru Shinohara ◽  
Kei Masani ◽  
Tetsuo Fukunaga
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Frequency Component ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
High Frequency Component ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Force Fluctuations

The study examined the hypothesis that altered synergistic activation of the knee extensors leads to cyclic modulation of the force fluctuations. To test this hypothesis, the force fluctuations were investigated during sustained knee extension at 2.5% of maximal voluntary contraction force for 60 min in 11 men. Surface electromyograms (EMG) were recorded from the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles. The SD of force and average EMG (AEMG) of each muscle were calculated for 30-s periods during alternate muscle activity. Power spectrum of force was calculated for the low- (≤3 Hz), middle- (4–6 Hz), and high-frequency (8–12 Hz) components. Alternate muscle activity was observed between RF and the set of VL and VM muscles. The SD of force was not constant but variable due to the alternate muscle activity. The SD was significantly greater during high RF activity compared with high VL and VM activity ( P < 0.05), and the correlation coefficient between the SD and AEMG was significantly greater in RF [0.736 (SD 0.095), P < 0.05] compared with VL and VM. Large changes were found in the high-frequency component. During high RF activity, the correlation coefficient between the SD and high-frequency component [0.832 (SD 0.087)] was significantly ( P < 0.05) greater compared with other frequency components. It is suggested that modulations in knee extension force fluctuations are caused by the unique muscle activity in RF during the alternate muscle activity, which augments the high-frequency component of the fluctuations.

scholarly journals The Effects of Exercise Induced Muscle Damage on Knee Joint Torque and Balance Performance

Sports ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Nicole Dabbs ◽  
Harish Chander
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Time Effect ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Significant Time ◽  
Significant Time Effect ◽  
Exercise Induced

The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effects of exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) on balance and knee joint torque. Thirteen males and females volunteered to participate in the study. Following a familiarization session, baseline measures were obtained for isometric torque measured during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for knee flexors and extensors, and ankle dorsi-flexors and plantar-flexors. Additionally, balance performance was tested in double leg (DL), and right single leg (RSL) static and dynamic unstable stability was measured. Participants then performed the muscle damage protocol of front loaded Bulgarian split squats. All measurements were re-assessed for torque and balance immediately and up to 72 h afterwards. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze differences between baseline and all time-points for torque and balance measures. There was a significant time effect for knee extensors MVIC torque, where baseline measures are greater than post EIMD, 24 h and 48 h post EIMD. There was no significant time effect for all balance conditions. These results provide evidence of EIMD following high intensity eccentric exercises with significant reductions in knee extensor torque up to at least 48 h and show that balance was not compromised following EIMD.

Development of Three-Dimensional Biped Walking Using Variation of Telescopic Knee Joint and Hip Joint Torque

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017.55 (0) ◽  
pp. K1215
Author(s):  
Tomoki TADA ◽  
Hiroki TUCHIDE ◽  
Tetsuya KINUGASA ◽  
Koji YOSHIDA ◽  
Ryota HAYASHI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Hip Joint ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Biped Walking

scholarly journals Function of the Distal Part of the Vastus Medialis Muscle as a Generator of Knee Extension Twitch Torque

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Yoshitsugu Tanino ◽  
Takaki Yoshida ◽  
Wataru Yamazaki ◽  
Yuki Fukumoto ◽  
Tetsuya Nakao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Distal Part ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Quadriceps Femoris ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Knee Angle ◽  
Quadriceps Femoris Muscle ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Femoris Muscle

The distal part of the vastus medialis (VM) (VM obliquus: VMO) muscle acts as the medial stabilizer of the patella. However, it has been known to facilitate VMO contraction during training of the quadriceps femoris muscle in knee joint rehabilitation. This study aimed to examine the contribution degree of VMO as a knee joint extension torque generator. Sixteen healthy male volunteers participated in this study. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) was performed on VMO at 60° knee angle for 20 min to induce muscle fatigue. Knee extension twitch torques (TT) at 90° and 30° knee angle evoked by femoral nerve stimulation were measured before and after EMS. Although each TT at 90° and 30° knee angle significantly decreased after EMS, the decreased TT rate in both joint angles showed no significant difference. Our results show that VMO might contribute to the generation of the knee joint torque at the same level in the range from flexion to extension. Therefore, it was suggested that the facilitating the neural drive for VMO is important during the quadriceps femoris muscle strengthening exercise.

scholarly journals Evaluation of 3-Axial Knee Joint Torques Produced by Compression Sports Tights in Running Motion

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Taisei Mori ◽  
Yohei Ogino ◽  
Akihiro Matsuda ◽  
Yumiko Funabashi
Keyword(s):  
Computer Graphics ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Human Model ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Fabric Materials

In this paper, 3-axial knee joint torques given by compression sports tights were performed by numerical simulations using 3-dimensional computer graphics of a human model. Running motions of the human model were represented as the 3-dimensional computer graphics, and the running motions were determined by the motion capturing system of human subjects. Strain distribution on the surface of the 3-dimentional computer graphics of the human model was applied to the boundary conditions of the numerical simulations. An anisotropic hyperelastic model considering stress softening of fabric materials was implemented to reproduce the mechanical characteristics of the compression sports tights. Based on the strain-time relationships, knee joint torques in 3-dimentional coordinates given by the compression sports tights were calculated. As a result, the three types of knee joint torque generated by the compression sports tights in running motions were calculated. From the calculated results, the maximum value of flexion/extension, varus/valgus, and internal/external knee joint torques were given as 2.52, 0.59, and 0.31 Nm, respectively. The effect of compression sports tights on the knee joint was investigated.

Effect of Knee Joint Angle on Regional Hamstrings Activation During Isometric Knee-Flexion Exercise

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Raki Kawama ◽  
Masamichi Okudaira ◽  
David H. Fukuda ◽  
Hirohiko Maemura ◽  
Satoru Tanigawa
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Joint Angle ◽  
Motor Nerve ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Knee Joint Angle

Context: Each hamstring muscle is subdivided into several regions by multiple motor nerve branches, which implies each region has different muscle activation properties. However, little is known about the muscle activation of each region with a change in the knee joint angle. Understanding of regional activation of the hamstrings could be helpful for designing rehabilitation and training programs targeted at strengthening a specific region. Objective: To investigate the effect of knee joint angle on the activity level of several regions within the individual hamstring muscles during isometric knee-flexion exercise with maximal effort (MVCKF). Design: Within-subjects repeated measures. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Sixteen young males with previous participation in sports competition and resistance training experience. Intervention: The participants performed 2 MVCKF trials at each knee joint angle of 30°, 60°, and 90°. Outcome Measures: Surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity in the proximal, middle, and distal regions of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh), semitendinosus, and semimembranosus of hamstrings at 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion during MVCKF. Results: Muscle activity levels in the proximal and middle regions of the BFlh were higher at 30° and 60° of knee flexion than at 90° during MVCKF (all: P < .05). Meanwhile, the activity levels in the distal region of the BFlh were not different among all of the evaluated knee joint angles. In semitendinosus and semimembranosus, the activity levels were higher at 30° and 60° than at 90°, regardless of region (all: P < .05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the effect of knee joint angle on muscle activity level differs between regions of the BFlh, whereas that is similar among regions of semitendinosus and semimembranosus during MVCKF.

MUSCLE ACTIVITY AND JOINT TORQUE AT THE HIP JOINT DURING COUNTERMOVEMENT VERTICAL JUMPS (CMJs)

2001 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. S282
Author(s):  
M E. Feltner ◽  
E J. Bishop ◽  
C M. Perez ◽  
L M. Mudd
Keyword(s):  
Hip Joint ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Vertical Jumps

scholarly journals Comparative study of knee joint torque estimations for linear and rotary actuators using bond graph approach for stand–sit–stand motions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 172988142096374
Author(s):  
Prakhar Jain ◽  
Tarun Kumar Bera ◽  
Sajid Rafique ◽  
Ashish Singla ◽  
Magnus Isaksson
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Bond Graph ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Battery Life ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Sudden Failure ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
Full Body

Stand–sit–stand (STS) motions are the most frequently performed activities of everyday life and require extensive movement of knee joint. People suffering from knee joint disorders face difficulties in performing this motion. The compact knee exoskeleton (KE) has proven to be a viable, less complex, and cheaper alternative to the available entire lower-, upper-, and full-body exoskeletons. With growing number of technical glitches and finite battery life problems, there exist risks of sudden failure of the actuator of KE that could be detrimental for the vulnerable users. To overcome this problem, there is a need to accommodate a backup actuator in KE which can continue providing assistance during movement if the primary actuator ceases to function. This article provides a performance comparison of a four-bar mechanism-driven KE that can accommodate both the linear and the rotary actuators. The modelling and simulation of the system are performed using the bond graph (BG) technique. The results successfully showed that both actuators offered desired ranges of motions needed for STS motion. Furthermore, the knee joint torques developed by the linear and rotary actuators were found to be 40 Nm and 57 Nm, respectively, which corresponds to 60% and 85% of the total torque required by the knee joint to perform STS motions, thereby reducing the user effort to 40% and 15%, respectively. Thus, both actuators are self-capable to provide necessary assistance at the knee joint even if the primary actuator ceases to work due to a sudden fault, the secondary actuator will provide the required rotation of the thigh link and will continue to deliver the assistive torque. The article also effectively shows the application of BG approach to model the multidisciplinary systems like KE as it conveniently models the system containing various elements in different energy domains.

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