Effects of Physical Symptoms on Muscle Activity Levels in Skilled Violinists

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM McCrary ◽  
Mark Halaki ◽  
Bronwen J Ackermann
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: Physical symptoms present in a large percentage of instrumental musicians at all levels of expertise, yet the impact of these symptoms on patterns of muscle use and perceived exertion during performance is still unclear. PURPOSE: Quantify the effects of physical symptoms on muscle activity and perceived exertion in skilled violinists during a range of bowing actions. METHODS: Fifty-five professional or university (undergraduate or postgraduate) violinists performed 5 randomly ordered 45-second musical excerpts designed to elicit a range of right arm bowing actions. Surface electromyography data were obtained from 16 muscles of the trunk, shoulder, and right arm during each excerpt performance. Sites of current physical symptoms were reported using a pre-test questionnaire. Average rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for the excerpt performances was obtained immediately after the final excerpt performance. RESULTS: Right upper trapezius muscle activity levels were significantly reduced in participants reporting right shoulder symptoms (p<0.05). Violinists with right wrist symptoms displayed global increases in average muscle activity across all investigated muscles (p<0.03). RPE did not differ significantly between any groups of symptomatic and asymptomatic participants. CONCLUSION: Differential muscle activity patterns appear between right shoulder symptomatic, right wrist symptomatic, and asymptomatic violinists, presenting the possibility of altered biomechanical responses to physical symptoms that vary with symptom location.

scholarly journals Motion Analytics of Trapezius Muscle Activity in an 18-Year-Old Female with Extended Upper Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. e51-e55
Author(s):  
Jasmine J. Lin ◽  
Gromit Y.Y. Chan ◽  
Cláudio T. Silva ◽  
Luis G. Nonato ◽  
Preeti Raghavan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Visual Analytics ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Shoulder Abduction ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy ◽  
Birth Palsy

Abstract Background The trapezius muscle is often utilized as a muscle or nerve donor for repairing shoulder function in those with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP). To evaluate the native role of the trapezius in the affected limb, we demonstrate use of the Motion Browser, a novel visual analytics system to assess an adolescent with BPBP. Method An 18-year-old female with extended upper trunk (C5–6–7) BPBP underwent bilateral upper extremity three-dimensional motion analysis with Motion Browser. Surface electromyography (EMG) from eight muscles in each limb which was recorded during six upper extremity movements, distinguishing between upper trapezius (UT) and lower trapezius (LT). The Motion Browser calculated active range of motion (AROM), compiled the EMG data into measures of muscle activity, and displayed the results in charts. Results All movements, excluding shoulder abduction, had similar AROM in affected and unaffected limbs. In the unaffected limb, LT was more active in proximal movements of shoulder abduction, and shoulder external and internal rotations. In the affected limb, LT was more active in distal movements of forearm pronation and supination; UT was more active in shoulder abduction. Conclusion In this female with BPBP, Motion Browser demonstrated that the native LT in the affected limb contributed to distal movements. Her results suggest that sacrificing her trapezius as a muscle or nerve donor may affect her distal functionality. Clinicians should exercise caution when considering nerve transfers in children with BPBP and consider individualized assessment of functionality before pursuing surgery.

scholarly journals Muscle Pain Induces a Shift of the Spatial Distribution of Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity During a Repetitive Task

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1006-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Falla ◽  
Corrado Cescon ◽  
Rene Lindstroem ◽  
Marco Barbero
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Pain ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle

Use of a Shoulder Rest for Playing the Violin Revisited: An Analysis of the Effect of Shoulder Rest Height on Muscle Activity, Violin Fixation Force, and Player Comfort

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M Kok ◽  
Jim Schrijvers ◽  
Marta Fiocco ◽  
Barend van Royen ◽  
Jaap Harlaar
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Anterior Part ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Deltoid Muscle ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Shoulder Muscles ◽  
Rest Condition

AIMS: For violinists, the shoulder rest is an ergonomic adaptation to reduce musculoskeletal load. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how the height of the shoulder rest affects the violin fixation force and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the superficial neck and shoulder muscles. METHODS: In professional violinists, four different shoulder rest heights during five playing conditions were evaluated. Outcome variables included the jaw-shoulder violin fixation force and bilateral surface EMG of the upper trapezius (mTP), sternocleidomastoid (mSCM), and left anterior part of the left deltoid muscle (mDTA). Playing comfort was subjectively rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Linear regression models were estimated to investigate the influence of the shoulder rest height on muscle activity and violin fixation force as well as the muscle activity of the five evaluated muscles on violin fixation force. RESULTS: 20 professional violinists (4 males, 16 females, mean age 29.4 yrs) participated in this study. The shoulder rest condition had a significant effect on playing comfort (p<0.001), with higher shoulder rest conditions associated with decreased subjective playing comfort. The mean violin fixation force for each shoulder rest condition ranged between 2.92 and 3.39 N; higher shoulder rests were related to a higher violin fixation force (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, violin fixation force and muscle activity of the left mDTA increased while playing with an increasing height of the shoulder rest. As the shoulder rest influences muscle activity patterns and violin fixation force, adjustment of the shoulder rest and positioning of the violin need to be carefully optimized.

Muscle Activity as a Releasing Factor for Pain in the Shoulder and Neck

Cephalalgia ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (25_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
RH Westgaard
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Experimental Situation ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Occupational Setting ◽  
Autonomic Activation ◽  
Pain Symptoms ◽  
Vocational Studies

In this review, the evidence for trapezius muscle activity as a releasing factor for shoulder and neck pain is considered, mainly on the basis of studies in our laboratory. Two lines of evidence are produced, (i) vocational studies in an occupational setting, where muscle activity pattern is recorded by surface EMG and a clinical examination of the shoulder region of the subjects performed; and (ii) laboratory studies where muscle activity patterns and pain development are recorded in an experimental situation with mental stress and minimal physical activity. The vocational studies demonstrate pain development in the shoulder and neck despite very low muscle activity recorded, making it very difficult to assume muscular involvement for all cases with such complaints. However, the hypothesis of pain development through overexertion of a subpopulation of low-threshold motor units also makes it difficult to draw a firm negative conclusion. The laboratory experiments, on the other hand, show that trapezius activity patterns in response to stress have many features that would be expected if muscle activation induces pain symptoms. It is further noted that the trapezius is the only muscle with activity patterns that show these features. Possibly, we observe the effects of parallel physiological phenomena, e.g., a systemic autonomic activation that induces pain symptoms and also facilitates the motor response of some muscles. Evidence of autonomic activation of trapezius is presented by the observation of low-level, rhythmic EMG activity during sleep. However, this is not firm evidence for the above hypothesis, which at present best serves as a basis for further experimentation.

scholarly journals Alterations in Shoulder Kinematics and Associated Muscle Activity in People With Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula M Ludewig ◽  
Thomas M Cook
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Serratus Anterior Muscle ◽  
Serratus Anterior ◽  
Shoulder Impingement ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Load Conditions

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Treatment of patients with impingement symptoms commonly includes exercises intended to restore “normal” movement patterns. Evidence that indicates the existence of abnormal patterns in people with shoulder pain is limited. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze glenohumeral and scapulothoracic kinematics and associated scapulothoracic muscle activity in a group of subjects with symptoms of shoulder impingement relative to a group of subjects without symptoms of shoulder impingement matched for occupational exposure to overhead work. Subjects. Fifty-two subjects were recruited from a population of construction workers with routine exposure to overhead work. Methods. Surface electromyographic data were collected from the upper and lower parts of the trapezius muscle and from the serratus anterior muscle. Electromagnetic sensors simultaneously tracked 3-dimensional motion of the trunk, scapula, and humerus during humeral elevation in the scapular plane in 3 hand-held load conditions: (1) no load, (2) 2.3-kg load, and (3) 4.6-kg load. An analysis of variance model was used to test for group and load effects for 3 phases of motion (31°–60°, 61°–90°, and 91°–120°). Results. Relative to the group without impingement, the group with impingement showed decreased scapular upward rotation at the end of the first of the 3 phases of interest, increased anterior tipping at the end of the third phase of interest, and increased scapular medial rotation under the load conditions. At the same time, upper and lower trapezius muscle electromyographic activity increased in the group with impingement as compared with the group without impingement in the final 2 phases, although the upper trapezius muscle changes were apparent only during the 4.6-kg load condition. The serratus anterior muscle demonstrated decreased activity in the group with impingement across all loads and phases. Conclusion and Discussion. Scapular tipping (rotation about a medial to lateral axis) and serratus anterior muscle function are important to consider in the rehabilitation of patients with symptoms of shoulder impingement related to occupational exposure to overhead work.

scholarly journals Assessment of force and fatigue in isometric contractions of the upper trapezius muscle by surface EMG signal and perceived exertion scale

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amedeo Troiano ◽  
Francesco Naddeo ◽  
Erik Sosso ◽  
Gianfranco Camarota ◽  
Roberto Merletti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Emg Signal ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Surface Emg Signal

Effect of Prior Mental or Physical Fatigue on the Biomechanical Response During a Lifting Task

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 997-998
Author(s):  
Susan E. Kotowski ◽  
Joseph Niehaus ◽  
Alyssa Ofat ◽  
Michael Presnell ◽  
Alena Regelski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Physical Fatigue ◽  
Repetitive Lifting ◽  
Biomechanical Response ◽  
Activation Data ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Lifting Task

Repetitive lifting is a requirement in many occupations and often leads to prevalent and costly back injuries. What is unknown is how fatigue, whether mental or physical, occurring before the primary lifting task impacts the biomechanical response during the task. Study participants completed three lifting tasks with prior mental fatigue (Stroop test), prior physical fatigue (running on a treadmill), or no prior fatigue. Electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity and fatigue, and Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) was also assessed. Muscle activation data and RPE data indicated that both prior mental and physical fatigue increases muscle activation and perceived exertion.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document