scholarly journals Electromyographic Analysis of the Triceps Surae Muscle Complex During Achilles Tendon Rehabilitation Program Exercises

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 543-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mullaney ◽  
Timothy F. Tyler ◽  
Malachy McHugh ◽  
Karl Orishimo ◽  
Ian Kremenic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Triceps Surae Muscle ◽  
Elastic Resistance ◽  
Therapeutic Exercises ◽  
Muscle Complex

Background: Specific guidelines for therapeutic exercises following an Achilles tendon repair are lacking. Hypothesis: A hierarchical progression of triceps surae exercises can be determined on the basis of electromyographic (EMG) activity. Study Design: Randomized laboratory trial. Methods: Bipolar surface electrodes were applied over the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius as well as the soleus on 20 healthy lower extremities (10 participants, 27 ± 5 years old). Muscle activity was recorded during 8 therapeutic exercises commonly used following an Achilles repair. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) were also performed on an isokinetic device. The effect of exercise on EMG activity (% MVIC) was assessed using repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni corrections for planned pairwise comparisons. Results: Seated toe raises (11% MVIC) had the least amount of activity compared with all other exercises ( P < 0.01), followed by single-leg balance on wobble board (25% MVIC), prone ankle pumps (38% MVIC), supine plantarflexion with red elastic resistance (45% MVIC), normal gait (47% MVIC), lateral step-ups (60% MVIC), single-leg heel raises (112% MVIC), and single-leg jumping (129% MVIC). Conclusion: There is an increasing progression of EMG activity for exercises that target the triceps surae muscle complex during common exercises prescribed in an Achilles tendon rehabilitation program. Seated toe raises offer relatively low EMG activity and can be utilized as an early rehabilitative exercise. In contrast, the single-leg heel raise and single-leg jumping should be utilized only during later-stage rehabilitation. Clinical Relevance: EMG activity in the triceps surae is variable with common rehab exercises.

scholarly journals Early Neuromechanical Outcomes of the Triceps Surae Muscle-Tendon After an Achilles' Tendon Repair

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 1590-1598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsing-Kuo Wang ◽  
Hongsen Chiang ◽  
Wen-Shiang Chen ◽  
Tiffany Tingfang Shih ◽  
Yung-Cheng Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Triceps Surae Muscle ◽  
Achilles Tendon Repair

The effect of toe-tap exercise on abductor hallucis activity and medial longitudinal arch angle in individuals with pes planus

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-422
Author(s):  
Min-Hyeok Kang ◽  
Sang-Min Cha ◽  
Jae-Seop Oh
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Medial Longitudinal Arch ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Pes Planus ◽  
Longitudinal Arch

BACKGROUND: Active interventions for pes planus, including short-foot exercises (SF) and toe-spread-out exercises (TSO), aim to continuously support the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) by activating the abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscle. However, compensatory movements, such as ankle supination and/or plantar flexion, often occur during these exercises. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a novel exercise, i.e., the toe-tap (TT) exercise on AbdH activity and MLA angle. METHODS: A total of 16 participants with pes planus participated in this study. Participants performed SF, TSO, and TT exercises. Electromyographic activity of the AbdH and MLA angle during three AbdH contraction exercises were recorded using surface EMG system and digital image analysis program, respectively. The differences in outcome measures among the three exercises were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The EMG activity of the AbdH was significantly greater during the TT exercise compared to the SF and TSO exercises. The MLA angle was significantly smaller during the TT exercise compared with the SF and TSO exercises. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the TT exercise could be effective in activating the AbdH and increasing height of the MLA, as part of a sports rehabilitation program for individuals with pes planus.

scholarly journals Older Adults Overcome Reduced Triceps Surae Structural Stiffness to Preserve Ankle Joint Quasi-Stiffness During Walking

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-216
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Krupenevich ◽  
William H. Clark ◽  
Gregory S. Sawicki ◽  
Jason R. Franz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Triceps Surae Muscle ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Lower Ankle Joint

Ankle joint quasi-stiffness is an aggregate measure of the interaction between triceps surae muscle stiffness and Achilles tendon stiffness. This interaction may be altered due to age-related changes in the structural properties and functional behavior of the Achilles tendon and triceps surae muscles. The authors hypothesized that, due to a more compliant of Achilles’ tendon, older adults would exhibit lower ankle joint quasi-stiffness than young adults during walking and during isolated contractions at matched triceps surae muscle activations. The authors also hypothesized that, independent of age, triceps surae muscle stiffness and ankle joint quasi-stiffness would increase with triceps surae muscle activation. The authors used conventional gait analysis in one experiment and, in another, electromyographic biofeedback and in vivo ultrasound imaging applied during isolated contractions. The authors found no difference in ankle joint quasi-stiffness between young and older adults during walking. Conversely, this study found that (1) young and older adults modulated ankle joint quasi-stiffness via activation-dependent changes in triceps surae muscle length–tension behavior and (2) at matched activation, older adults exhibited lower ankle joint quasi-stiffness than young adults. Despite age-related reductions during isolated contractions, ankle joint quasi-stiffness was maintained in older adults during walking, which may be governed via activation-mediated increases in muscle stiffness.

scholarly journals Muscle Actuators, Not Springs, Drive Maximal Effort Human Locomotor Performance

2021 ◽  
pp. 766-777
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. McBride
Keyword(s):  
Motion Analysis ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Active Muscle ◽  
Muscle Work ◽  
Triceps Surae Muscle ◽  
Muscle Fascicle ◽  
Muscle Complex ◽  
Muscle Actuators ◽  
Maximal Effort

The current investigation examined muscle-tendon unit kinematics and kinetics in human participants asked to perform a hopping task for maximal performance with variational preceding milieu. Twenty-four participants were allocated post-data collection into those participants with an average hop height of higher (HH) or lower (LH) than 0.1 m. Participants were placed on a customized sled at a 20º angle while standing on a force plate. Participants used their dominant ankle for all testing and their knee was immobilized and thus all movement involved only the ankle joint and corresponding propulsive unit (triceps surae muscle complex). Participants were asked to perform a maximal effort during a single dynamic countermovement hop (CMH) and drop hops from 10 cm (DH10) and 50 cm (DH50). Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed by utilizing an infrared camera VICON motion analysis system and a corresponding force plate. An ultrasound probe was placed on the triceps surae muscle complex for muscle fascicle imaging. HH hopped significantly higher in all hopping tasks in comparison to LH. In addition, the HH group concentric ankle work was significantly higher in comparison to LH during all of the hopping tasks. Active muscle work was significantly higher in HH in comparison to LH as well. Tendon work was not significantly different between HH and LH. Active muscle work was significantly correlated with hopping height (r = 0.97) across both groups and hopping tasks and contributed more than 50% of the total work. The data indicates that humans primarily use a motor-driven system and thus it is concluded that muscle actuators and not springs maximize performance in hopping locomotor tasks in humans.

scholarly journals Considerations on the human Achilles tendon moment arm for in vivo triceps surae muscle–tendon unit force estimates

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Holzer ◽  
Florian Kurt Paternoster ◽  
Daniel Hahn ◽  
Tobias Siebert ◽  
Wolfgang Seiberl
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Muscle Forces ◽  
Moment Arm ◽  
Unit Force ◽  
Plateau Region ◽  
Triceps Muscle ◽  
Triceps Surae Muscle ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Moment arm-angle functions (MA-a-functions) are commonly used to estimate in vivo muscle forces in humans. However, different MA-a-functions might not only influence the magnitude of the estimated muscle forces but also change the shape of the muscle’s estimated force-angle relationship (F-a-r). Therefore, we investigated the influence of different literature based Achilles tendon MA-a-functions on the triceps surae muscle–tendon unit F-a-r. The individual in vivo triceps torque–angle relationship was determined in 14 participants performing maximum voluntary fixed-end plantarflexion contractions from 18.3° ± 3.2° plantarflexion to 24.2° ± 5.1° dorsiflexion on a dynamometer. The resulting F-a-r were calculated using 15 literature-based in vivo Achilles tendon MA-a-functions. MA-a-functions affected the F-a-r shape and magnitude of estimated peak active triceps muscle–tendon unit force. Depending on the MA-a-function used, the triceps was solely operating on the ascending limb (n = 2), on the ascending limb and plateau region (n = 12), or on the ascending limb, plateau region and descending limb of the F-a-r (n = 1). According to our findings, the estimated triceps muscle–tendon unit forces and the shape of the F-a-r are highly dependent on the MA-a-function used. As these functions are affected by many variables, we recommend using individual Achilles tendon MA-a-functions, ideally accounting for contraction intensity-related changes in moment arm magnitude.

scholarly journals Muscle Activation and Perceived Loading During Rehabilitation Exercises: Comparison of Dumbbells and Elastic Resistance

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 538-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars L. Andersen ◽  
Christoffer H. Andersen ◽  
Ole S. Mortensen ◽  
Otto M. Poulsen ◽  
Inger Birthe T. Bjørnlund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Absolute Maximum ◽  
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction ◽  
Emg Amplitude ◽  
Elastic Resistance ◽  
Resistance Exercises

BackgroundHigh-intensity resistance training plays an essential role in the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Although resistance exercises with heavy weights yield high levels of muscle activation, the efficacy of more user-friendly forms of exercise needs to be examined.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate muscle activation and perceived loading during upper-extremity resistance exercises with dumbbells compared with elastic tubing.DesignA single-group, repeated-measures study design was used.SettingExercise evaluation was conducted in a laboratory setting.ParticipantsSixteen female workers (aged 26–55 years) without serious musculoskeletal diseases and with a mean neck and shoulder pain intensity of 7.8 on a 100-mm visual analog scale participated in the study.MeasurementsElectromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in 5 selected muscles during the exercises of lateral raise, wrist extension, and shoulder external rotation during graded loadings with dumbbells (2–7.5 kg) and elastic tubing (Thera-Band, red to silver resistance). The order of exercises and loadings was randomized for each individual. Electromyographic amplitude was normalized to the absolute maximum EMG amplitude obtained during maximal voluntary isometric contraction and exercise testing. Immediately after each set of exercise, the Borg CR10 scale was used to rate perceived loading during the exercise.ResultsResistance exercise with dumbbells as well as elastic tubing showed increasing EMG amplitude and perceived loading with increasing resistance. At the individually maximal level of resistance for each exercise—defined as the 3 repetitions maximum—normalized EMG activity of the prime muscles was not significantly different between dumbbells (59%–87%) and elastic tubing (64%–86%). Perceived loading was moderately to very strongly related to normalized EMG activity (r=.59–.92).LimitationsThe results of this study apply only for exercises performed in a controlled manner (ie, without sudden jerks or high acceleration).ConclusionsComparably high levels of muscle activation were obtained during resistance exercises with dumbbells and elastic tubing, indicating that therapists can choose either type in clinical practice. The Borg CR10 can be a useful aid in estimating intensity of individual rehabilitation protocols.

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