A Pilot Study of Muscle Force between Normal Shoes and Bionic Shoes during Men Walking and Running Stance Phase Using Opensim

The original idea for bionic shoes (BSs) involves combining the function of unstable foot conditions and the structure of the human plantar. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between the normal shoes (NS) and the BS during the stance phases of walking and running. A total of 15 Chinese males from Ningbo University were recruited for this study (age: 24.3 ± 2.01 years; height: 176.25 ± 7.11 cm, body weight (BW): 75.75 ± 8.35 kg). The participants were asked to perform a walking and running task. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis was used to investigate any differences between NSs and BSs during the walking and running stance phases. The results demonstrated that there were significant differences found (21.23–28.24%, p = 0.040; 84.47–100%, p = 0.017) in hip extension and flexion between the NS and the BS during the walking stance phase. There were no significant differences found in ankle and moment during the running stance phase. Significant differences were found in the rectus femoris (5.29–6.21%; p = 0.047), tibialis anterior (14.37–16.40%; p = 0.038), and medial gastrocnemius (25.55–46.86%; p < 0.001) between the NS and the BS during the walking stance phase. Significant differences were found in rectus femoris (12.83–13.10%, p = 0.049; 15.89–80.19%, p < 0.001), tibialis anterior (15.85–18.31%, p = 0.039; 21.14–24.71%, p = 0.030), medial gastrocnemius (80.70–90.44%; p = 0.007), and lateral gastrocnemius (11.16–27.93%, p < 0.001; 62.20–65.63%, p = 0.032; 77.56–93.45%, p < 0.001) between the NS and the BS during the running stance phase. These findings indicate that BSs are more efficient for muscle control than unstable shoes and maybe suitable for rehabilitation training.

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Changes in muscle coactivation during running: a comparison between two techniques, forefoot vs rearfoot

Archivos de Medicina del Deporte ◽

10.18176/archmeddeporte.00059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 332-336

Author(s):

Daniel Araya ◽

Juan López ◽

Germán Villalobos ◽

Rodrigo Guzmán-Venegas ◽

Oscar Valencia

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Surface Electromyography ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Initial Contact ◽

Joint Stability ◽

Paired Data ◽

Lateral Gastrocnemius

Introduction: Surface electromyography has been a technique used to describe muscle activity during running. However, there is little literature that analyses the behaviour of muscle coactivation in runners, describing the effect between two techniques associated with the initial contact, such as the use of rearfoot (RF) and forefoot (FF). Material and method: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle coactivation levels developed in the lower limb during two running techniques, FF vs RF. Fourteen amateur runners were evaluated (eight men, six women; age= 23.21 ± 3.58 years, mass= 63.89 ± 8.13 kg, height= 1.68 ± 0.08m). Surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity during both running techniques evaluated on a treadmill, considering the muscle pairs: Rectus femoris- Biceps femoris (RFe-BF), Lateral Gastrocnemius–Tibialis Anterior (LG-TA), and Medial Gastrocnemius - Tibialis Anterior (MG-TA). These were calculated in three windows considering ten running cycles (0-5%, 80-100%, and 0-100%). To compare FF vs RF t-student test for paired data was used. Results: It was observed significant differences in the MG-TA pair (FF= 18.42 ± 11.84% vs RF = 39.05 ± 13.28%, p = 0.0018 during 0-5%, and RFe-BF pair (FF = 42.38 ± 18.11% vs RF = 28.37 ± 17.2%, p = 0.0331) during 80-100% of the race. Conclusion: Our findings show that the behaviour of muscle coactivation is different between FF vs RF techniques if we analyze little windows in the running cycle. This could be associated with an increase in the joint stability between these short intervals, represented in the initial and final regions of the running cycle.

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Recurrent inhibition to and from motoneurons innervating the flexor digitorum and flexor hallucis longus muscles of the cat

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1990.63.3.395 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 395-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

T. M. Hamm

Keyword(s):

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Recurrent Inhibition ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Flexor Hallucis Longus ◽

Flexor Digitorum Longus ◽

Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽

Hindlimb Muscles ◽

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials ◽

Flexor Digitorum ◽

Stimulation Of

1. Recurrent inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) to and from motoneurons innervating the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscles of the cat were investigated to determine whether recurrent inhibitory projections involving these motoneurons are similar--as would be consistent with the Ia and anatomic synergism of FDL and FHL--or are dissimilar, as are the activities of these muscles during locomotion (O'Donovan et al. 1982). 2. Composite recurrent IPSPs were recorded in several species of motoneurons innervating hindlimb muscles in response to stimulation of a number of muscle nerves in cats allowed to become unanesthetized after ischemic decapitation. 3. No recurrent IPSPs from stimulation of the FDL nerve were observed in motoneurons innervating FDL, FHL, lateral gastrocnemius-soleus (LG-S), medial gastrocnemius (MG), plantaris (Pl), tibialis anterior (TA), or extensor digitorum longus (EDL). 4. The recurrent IPSPs produced by stimulation of FHL were larger and found more frequently in LG-S than in FDL motoneurons. Recurrent inhibition from FHL was also greater in Pl than in FDL motoneurons. 5. The recurrent IPSPs produced by stimulation of LG-S, PL, and MG were larger in FHL than in FDL motoneurons, and those from LG-S and MG were found more frequently in FHL than in FDL motoneurons. 6. Stimulation of the TA nerve produces recurrent IPSPs in FDL but not in FHL motoneurons. A few FDL and FHL cells (6 of 23 and 9 of 34, respectively) received small (less than 0.5 mV) recurrent IPSPs from stimulation of the EDL nerve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Quantifying Topographical Changes in Muscle Activation: A Statistical Parametric Mapping Approach

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2020049071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 71

Author(s):

Patricio A. Pincheira ◽

Eduardo Martinez-Valdes ◽

Carlos De la Fuente ◽

Felipe Palma ◽

Oscar Valencia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Plantar Flexion ◽

Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Voluntary Contraction ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Isometric Contractions ◽

Parametric Mapping ◽

Repeated Measures Anova

Regional changes in muscle activation occur at different contraction intensities. These changes can be observed with activity maps created with high-density electromyography (HDEMG). When quantifying these changes, statistical parametric mapping (SPM) is a neuroimaging technique that may be used to perform statistical analyses with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The aim of this study was to identify regional changes in muscle activation at different contraction intensities, comparing SPM and the HDEMG barycenter (centroid). Twelve participants performed plantar flexion isometric contractions at 20%, 40%, and 60% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), while HDEMG was recorded from the medial gastrocnemius. An SPM repeated measures ANOVA design revealed specific mediolateral and cephalocaudal changes in muscle activation with increasing contraction intensities, which were not clearly detected by the variation in the barycenter coordinates. Only SPM revealed statistically significant nonuniform changes in EMG amplitude between all increasing levels of muscle activation.

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Dynamic Force Properties of Soleus, And Sensorimotor Interactions of Soleus, Medial Gastrocnemius, and Tibialis Anterior in the Freely Moving Cat

Journal of Musculoskeletal Research ◽

10.1142/s0218957797000116 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 01 (02) ◽

pp. 95-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W. Herzog ◽

T. R. Leonard

Keyword(s):

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Stance Phase ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Force Production ◽

Swing Phase ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Active Force ◽

Step Cycle ◽

Sensorimotor Interactions

The dynamic properties of the cat soleus muscle were studied in freely walking animal preparations. The force and EMG responses of the soleus following supramaximal, ins tants of the step cycle. The sensorimotor interactions of soleus with the medial head of the gastrocnemius (a functional agonist of the soleus at the ankle) and the tibialis anterior (a functional antagonist of soleus at the ankle) were studied by measuring their force and EMG responses following the artifical stimulation of the soleus nerve. Supramaximal nerve stimulation showed distinct increases in the soleus forces during the entire swing phase and the second part (after peak forces had been reached) of the stance phase. Soleus forces could only be increased slightly in the first part of stance (from paw contact to peak force). These results suggest that force production of the soleus is virtually maximal during the early phases of stance but is submaximal for the remainder of the step cycle. Forces and EMGs of the medial gastrocnemius muscle were affected by the soleus nerve stimulation only in the latter part of the swing phase. In these cases, the force and EMG of the medial gastrocnemius were reduced significantly for the step cycle following the perturbation. The active force production of soleus during late swing causes an inhibition of medial gastrocnemius activity and force. Forces and EMGs of the tibialis anterior muscle were always affected by the soleus nerve stimulation during the swing phase of the step cycle. In these case, the force EMG of the medial gastrocnemius were reduced significantly for the step cycle following the perturbation. The active force production of soleus during late swing causes an inhibition of medial gastrocnemius activity and force. Forces and EMGs of the tibialis anterior muscle were always affected by the soleus nerve stimulation during the swing phase of the step cycle. In these instances, forces and EMGs of the tibialis anterior were significantly increased compared to step cycles preceding or following the perturbation. Part of the force enhancement is caused by the stretch of the activated tibialis anterior by the soleus, and part of the enhancement is caused by reflex activation. No effects on forces or EMGs of the tibialis anterior were observed when the soleus nerve stimulation showed its effects during the stance phase of the step cycle. The results of theis study suggest that the magnitude and the quality of ensorimotor interactions of soleus with medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior depend on the phase of the step cycle. The strongest interactions appear to exist during the swing phase; no observable interactions were found during stance.

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Validity Evaluation of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in Gait Analysis Using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM)

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21113667 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. 3667

Author(s):

Sangheon Park ◽

Sukhoon Yoon

Keyword(s):

Gait Analysis ◽

Stance Phase ◽

Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽

Swing Phase ◽

Measurement Unit ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Parametric Mapping ◽

Inertial Measurement ◽

Ankle Joints ◽

Measurement Units

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are possible alternatives to motion-capture systems (Mocap) for gait analysis. However, IMU-based system performance must be validated before widespread clinical use. Therefore, this study evaluated the validity of IMUs using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for gait analysis. Ten healthy males (age, 30.10 ± 3.28 years; height, 175.90 ± 5.17 cm; weight: 82.80 ± 17.15 kg) participated in this study; they were asked to walk normally on a treadmill. Data were collected during walking at the self-selected speeds (preferred speed, 1.34 ± 0.10 m/s) using both Mocap and an IMU. Calibration was performed directly before each gait measurement to minimize the IMU drift error over time. The lower-extremity joint angles of the hip, knee, and ankle were calculated and compared with IMUs and Mocap; the hip-joint angle did not differ significantly between IMUs and Mocap. There were significant differences in the discrete (max, min, and range of motion) and continuous variables (waveform: 0–100%) of the knee and ankle joints between IMUs and Mocap, particularly on the swing phase (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that IMU-based data can be used confidently during the stance phase but needs evaluation regarding the swing phase in gait analysis.

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Electromyography features during physical and imagined standing up in healthy young adults, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-08-2019-0175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 89-101

Author(s):

Kanokwan Srisupornkornkool ◽

Kanphajee Sornkaew ◽

Kittithat Chatkanjanakool ◽

Chayanit Ampairattana ◽

Pariyanoot Pongtasom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Voluntary Contraction ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Content Type ◽

Standing Up ◽

Imagined Movement

PurposeTo compare the electromyography (EMG) features during physical and imagined standing up in healthy young adults.Design/methodology/approachTwenty-two participants (ages ranged from 20–29 years old) were recruited to participate in this study. Electrodes were attached to the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and the medial gastrocnemius muscles of both sides to monitor the EMG features during physical and imagined standing up. The %maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC), onset and duration were calculated.FindingsThe onset and duration of each muscle of both sides had no statistically significant differences between physical and imagined standing up (p > 0.05). The %MVC of all four muscles during physical standing up was statistically significantly higher than during imagined standing up (p < 0.05) on both sides. Moreover, the tibialis anterior muscle of both sides showed a statistically significant contraction before the other muscles (p < 0.05) during physical and imagined standing up.Originality/valueMuscles can be activated during imagined movement, and the patterns of muscle activity during physical and imagined standing up were similar. Imagined movement may be used in rehabilitation as an alternative or additional technique combined with other techniques to enhance the STS skill.

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Neuromuscular Responses of Elite Skaters During Different Roller Figure Skating Jumps

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2014-0029 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 23-32

Author(s):

Patrícia Dias Pantoja ◽

André Mello ◽

Giane Veiga Liedtke ◽

Ana Carolina Kanitz ◽

Eduardo Lusa Cadore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Gluteus Maximus ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Figure Skating ◽

Vastus Medialis ◽

Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽

Neuromuscular Activity

AbstractThis study aimed to describe the neuromuscular activity of elite athletes who performed various roller figure skating jumps, to determine whether the muscle activation is greater during jumps with more rotations and in which phase the muscles are more active. This study also aimed to analyze if there is any difference in the muscle activity pattern between female and male skaters. Four elite skaters were evaluated, and each participated in two experimental sessions. During the first session, anthropometric data were collected, and the consent forms were signed. For the second session, neuromuscular data were collected during jumps, which were performed with skates at a rink. The following four roller figure skating jumps were evaluated: single Axel, double Axel, double Mapes and triple Mapes. The neuromuscular activity of the following seven muscles was obtained with an electromyograph which was fixed to the waist of each skater with a strap: biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus. The signal was transmitted wirelessly to a laptop. During the roller figure skating jumps, the lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus, showed more activation during the jumps with more rotations, and the activation mainly occurred during the propulsion and flight phases. Female skaters demonstrated higher muscle activities in tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus during the landing phase of the triple Mapes, when compared to their male counterparts. The results obtained in this study should be considered when planning training programs with specific exercises that closely resemble the roller figure skating jumps. This may be important for the success of elite skaters in competitions.

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Evaluation of lower limb electromyographic activity when using unstable shoes for the first time: A pilot quasi control trial

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1177/0309364612464812 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 275-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Helen Branthwaite ◽

Nachiappan Chockalingam ◽

Anand Pandyan ◽

Gaurav Khatri

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Heel Strike ◽

Electromyographic Activity ◽

Temporal Parameters ◽

Unstable Shoes ◽

First Time

Background: Unstable shoes, which have recently become popular, claim to provide additional physiological and biomechanical advantages to people who wear them. Alterations in postural stability have been shown when using the shoe after training. However, the immediate effect on muscle activity when walking in unstable shoes for the first time has not been investigated. Objective: To evaluate muscle activity and temporal parameters of gait when wearing Masai Barefoot Technology shoes® for the first time compared to the subject’s own regular trainer shoes. Study Design: A pilot repeated-measures quasi control trial. Method: Electromyographic measurements of lower leg muscles (soleus, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and gluteus medius) were measured in 15 healthy participants using Masai Barefoot Technology shoes and trainer shoes over a 10-m walkway. Muscle activity of the third and sixth steps was used to study the difference in behaviour of the muscles under the two shoe conditions. Temporal parameters were captured with footswitches to highlight heel strike, heel lift and toe off. Paired samples t-test was completed to compare mean muscle activity for Masai Barefoot Technology and trainer shoes. Results: Indicated that the use of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes increased the intensity of the magnitude of muscle activity. While this increase in the activity was not significant across the subjects, there were inter-individual differences in muscle activity. This variance between the participants demonstrates that some subjects do alter muscle behaviour while wearing such shoes. Conclusion: A more rigorous and specific assessment is required when advising patients to purchase the Masai Barefoot Technology shoe. Not all subjects respond positively to using unstable shoes, and the point in time when muscle behaviour can change is variable. Clinical relevance Use of Masai Barefoot Technology shoe in patient management should be monitored closely as the individual muscle changes and the point in time when changes occur vary between subjects, and evaluation of how a subject responds is not yet clear.

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Leg intramuscular pressures during locomotion in humans

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1998.84.6.1976 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 84 (6) ◽

pp. 1976-1981 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Richard E. Ballard ◽

Donald E. Watenpaugh ◽

Gregory A. Breit ◽

Gita Murthy ◽

Daniel C. Holley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Function ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Stance Phase ◽

Muscle Force ◽

Joint Torque ◽

Heel Strike ◽

Intramuscular Pressure ◽

Biphasic Response ◽

Linear Relationships ◽

Tissue Deformations

To assess the usefulness of intramuscular pressure (IMP) measurement for studying muscle function during gait, IMP was recorded in the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles of 10 volunteers during treadmill walking and running by using transducer-tipped catheters. Soleus IMP exhibited single peaks during late-stance phase of walking [181 ± 69 (SE) mmHg] and running (269 ± 95 mmHg). Tibialis anterior IMP showed a biphasic response, with the largest peak (90 ± 15 mmHg during walking and 151 ± 25 mmHg during running) occurring shortly after heel strike. IMP magnitude increased with gait speed in both muscles. Linear regression of soleus IMP against ankle joint torque obtained by a dynamometer produced linear relationships ( n = 2, r = 0.97 for both). Application of these relationships to IMP data yielded estimated peak soleus moment contributions of 0.95–1.65 N ⋅ m/kg during walking, and 1.43–2.70 N ⋅ m/kg during running. Phasic elevations of IMP during exercise are probably generated by local muscle tissue deformations due to muscle force development. Thus profiles of IMP provide a direct, reproducible index of muscle function during locomotion in humans.

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Acute Effects of Barefoot And Minimalist Footwear on Medial Tibiofemoral Compartment Loading During Running: A Statistical Parametric Mapping Approach

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2018-0037 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 35-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jonathan Sinclair ◽

Bobbie Butters ◽

Philip Stainton

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Stance Phase ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽

Medial Compartment ◽

Knee Adduction Moment ◽

Camera System ◽

Parametric Mapping ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Load Rate

Abstract The current investigation examined the effects of running barefoot and in minimalist footwear on medial tibiofemoral compartment loading, compared to conventional running trainers. Fifteen male runners ran over a force platform in five different footwear conditions (barefoot, Vibram five-fingers (Footwear A), Inov-8 (Footwear B) Nike-Free (Footwear C), and running trainer) whilst lower extremity kinematics were examined using a three-dimensional camera system. Medial compartment loading during the stance phase was explored using the knee adduction moment (KAM). In addition, the KAM instantaneous load rate was also calculated. Differences between footwear across the entire stance phase were examined using 1-dimensional statistical parametric mapping, whereas differences in discrete parameters were explored using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Statistical parametric mapping revealed that Footwear B was associated with a significantly larger KAM compared to the running trainer from 15-20 and 25-30% of the stance phase and also Footwear C from 15-20% of the stance phase. The KAM instantaneous load rate was significantly larger in the barefoot (210.69 Nm/kg/s), Footwear A (200.23 Nm/kg/s) and Footwear B (186.03 Nm/kg/s) conditions in comparison to Footwear C (100.88 Nm/kg/s) and running trainers (92.70 Nm/kg/s). The findings from this study indicate that running barefoot and in minimalist footwear with the least midsole interface may place runners at increased risk of medial compartment knee OA, although further exploration using habitual barefoot / minimalist footwear users is required.

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