The effect of chronic ankle instability on muscle activations in lower extremities

Background/Purpose Muscular reflex responses of the lower extremities to sudden gait disturbances are related to postural stability and injury risk. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) has shown to affect activities related to the distal leg muscles while walking. Its effects on proximal muscle activities of the leg, both for the injured- (IN) and uninjured-side (NON), remain unclear. Therefore, the aim was to compare the difference of the motor control strategy in ipsilateral and contralateral proximal joints while unperturbed walking and perturbed walking between individuals with CAI and matched controls. Materials and methods In a cross-sectional study, 13 participants with unilateral CAI and 13 controls (CON) walked on a split-belt treadmill with and without random left- and right-sided perturbations. EMG amplitudes of muscles at lower extremities were analyzed 200 ms after perturbations, 200 ms before, and 100 ms after (Post100) heel contact while walking. Onset latencies were analyzed at heel contacts and after perturbations. Statistical significance was set at alpha≤0.05 and 95% confidence intervals were applied to determine group differences. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated to evaluate the extent of differences. Results Participants with CAI showed increased EMG amplitudes for NON-rectus abdominus at Post100 and shorter latencies for IN-gluteus maximus after heel contact compared to CON (p<0.05). Overall, leg muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius) activated earlier and less bilaterally (d = 0.30–0.88) and trunk muscles (bilateral rectus abdominus and NON-erector spinae) activated earlier and more for the CAI group than CON group (d = 0.33–1.09). Conclusion Unilateral CAI alters the pattern of the motor control strategy around proximal joints bilaterally. Neuromuscular training for the muscles, which alters motor control strategy because of CAI, could be taken into consideration when planning rehabilitation for CAI.

Comparative study of lipid profile of pigs, goats and cattle slaughtered at Nsukka Municipal Abattoir, Enugu State, Nigeria Fat contents of meat largely determine

Fat contents of meat largely determine consumer's choice and the general acceptability by people. Thus, this research was carried out to compare the lipid profile of pigs with that of goats and cattle in the study area. One hundred and ninety two animals; 64 from each species, aged two to three years slaughtered at Nsukka Municipal abattoir were used. Samples of Rectus abdominus muscle, liver, kidney, brain, skin and large intestine were collected. Two g of each of the sample was grinded, centrifuged, decanted and the supernatants used to determine their cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high densitylipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride profile by enzymatic colorimetric method using reagents test kits. Result showed that although cholesterol profile in liver, kidney and intestine of the goats was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in pigs and cattle, its concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher inmuscle and skin of the pigs than goats and cattle. Highest concentration of cholesterol which ranged from 1205.34 to 1328.34mg/dL was from brain tissues of the animals. The HDL in muscles of the pigs and goatsshowed no significant (p >0.05) difference but were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of cattle. There was insignificant (p > 0.05) difference in LDL and triglyceride profiles in tissues/organs of the three animal species. It was concluded that Nigerian pig todays share similar lipid profile with goats and cattle.

Contribution of Trunk Muscles to Upright Sitting with Segmental Support in Children with Spinal Cord Injury

To investigate and compare trunk control and muscle activation during uncompensated sitting in children with and without spinal cord injury (SCI). Static sitting trunk control in ten typically developing (TD) children (5 females, 5 males, mean (SD) age of 6 (2)y) and 26 children with SCI (9 females, 17 males, 5(2)y) was assessed and compared using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) test while recording surface electromyography (EMG) from trunk muscles. The SCI group scored significantly lower on the SATCo compared to the TD group. The SCI group produced significantly higher thoracic-paraspinal activation at the lower-ribs, and, below-ribs support levels, and rectus-abdominus activation at below-ribs, pelvis, and no-support levels than the TD group. The SCI group produced significantly higher lumbar-paraspinal activation at inferior-scapula and no-support levels. Children with SCI demonstrated impaired trunk control with the ability to activate trunk muscles above and below the injury level.