Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology最新文献

{"title":"Neuromechanical adaptation of a perturbation protocol during treadmill running","authors":"Mina Khajooei,&nbsp;Andrew Quarmby,&nbsp;Frank Mayer,&nbsp;Tilman Engel","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102989","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102989","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The ability to adapt to unexpected changes in environments is associated with the risk of running-related injuries. Although gait retraining programs can mitigate injury risk, there is a scarcity of studies focusing on neuromechanical adaptations during running with unpredictable perturbations. Hence, the current experiment aimed to analyse spatial–temporal and muscle activity adaptation during a perturbed running protocol. 23 participants performed a 5-minute unperturbed and an 8-minute perturbed running trial with a baseline velocity of 2.5 m/s. During the perturbation protocol, 30-one-sided decelerative perturbations were randomly applied to both legs. Spatial-temporal data and muscle activity of twelve lower extremity and trunk muscles were recorded during unperturbed and perturbed steps. Linear mixed models with repeated measures were applied to identify adaptation at any time point in the data. Statistical analysis indicated adaptation to the perturbation trial in comparison to baseline trial for step duration, length, width and upper- and lower-leg muscles. Adaptations characterized by decreased step duration and length and increased step width and muscle activity. This study has demonstrated participants’ ability to adapt their movement and muscle activity patterns while running with unpredictable perturbations. Therefore, introducing more diverse or novel perturbation stimuli to the human system may be necessary to continually challenge adaptation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102989"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143509329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Energetic and neuromuscular impact of running on even or uneven surfaces in standardized laboratory conditions","authors":"Simone Bettega ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Bortolan ,&nbsp;Federico Stella ,&nbsp;Cantor Tarperi ,&nbsp;Federico Schena ,&nbsp;Barbara Pellegrini ,&nbsp;Chiara Zoppirolli","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>We examine the energetic and neuromuscular effects of running on even (E-T) and uneven terrains (UE-T) by creating smooth and rough conditions on a standardized circuit.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ten adults (age 32.1 ± 7.6 years, body mass 62.2 ± 7 kg, height 167.5 ± 4.2 cm) ran on an ‘iterative-8-shaped’ path. For UE-T, solid hemispheres were fixed to a perforated mat, while for E-T, visible marks guided foot placement. Participants performed two 6-min trials on both terrains in a counterbalanced order, maintaining consistent running patterns and low-intensity speed with a metronome to guide step frequency. This ensured consistency in the timing and positioning of foot placement between the two conditions. Cardio-metabolic parameters were measured continuously, and muscle activation was recorded from six leg muscles using surface EMG.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis showed significantly higher cardio-metabolic responses in UE-T compared to E-T, with increases in oxygen cost (+18 %), energy cost (+23 %), respiratory frequency (+7%), ventilation (+19 %), heart rate (+10 %), and RPE (+50 %) (all p &lt; 0.05). Electromyographic activation of the tibialis anterior (+22 %) and peroneus longus (+10 %) also increased in UE-T.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings indicate that running on uneven terrain demands more energy and greater activation of ankle stabilizers, as required in off-road and trail running.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102987"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143437412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What are my muscles up to? The contribution of surface electromyography to clinical decision-making","authors":"Catherine Disselhorst-Klug","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102988","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102988","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Muscles move the body. The varying levels of movement precision needed daily results from a complex interplay within the central nervous system, muscles and sensory feedback, referred to as neuromechanics. This neuromechanical interplay is often impaired in pathology. Although, diagnosis and therapy would benefit from information about the patient’s specific neuromechanical control, no procedures have yet been established in clinical practice that allow this information to be fully recorded. Surface electromyography (sEMG) links neuronal input and muscle function and helps to understand how the CNS orchestrates the multitude of possibilities the neuromusculoskeletal system has at its disposal to solve a movement task. This 2024 Basmajian-Lecture-Paper will highlight sEMG applications in physiological and pathological conditions, to illustrate the potential contribution of sEMG to clinical decision-making. Focussing first on infants’ motor development, it will contribute to the discussion on how neuromechanics and motor skills develop. Continuing with considerations on motor unit activation in health and disease and describing the difference between physiological and pathological muscle coordination in dynamic conditions, it aims to address the possibilities but also the limitations of sEMG in clinical applications. Finally, the influence of robotic support on neuromechanical control and thus on re-learning of motor skills are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102988"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143349567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrical cutaneous stimulation of the foot sole does not enhance rate of torque development during maximal effort isometric plantarflexion in females","authors":"Laura C. Marrelli ,&nbsp;Tushar Sharma ,&nbsp;Davis A. Forman ,&nbsp;Giacomo G. Passarelli ,&nbsp;Chioma Nwebube ,&nbsp;Avery Hinks ,&nbsp;Geoffrey A. Power ,&nbsp;Leah R. Bent","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102974","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102974","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rate of torque development (RTD) measures how rapidly one can generate torque and is crucial for balance and athletic performance. Fast RTD depends on the rapid recruitment of high threshold motor units (MUs). Cutaneous electrical stimulation has been shown to alter MU excitability, favoring high threshold MUs via reduced recruitment thresholds. A strong coupling exists between foot sole cutaneous mechanoreceptors and motor neurons of lower-limb muscles, yet it remains unknown if cutaneous input can impact RTD via modulation of MU excitability. This study aimed to investigate whether electrical stimulation across the heel could alter plantarflexion RTD. 11 young and healthy females underwent eight sets of five explosive isometric plantarflexion contractions on a dynamometer while sitting with hip, knee and ankle angles of 80°, 110°, and 90°, respectively. All participants achieved &gt; 95 % voluntary activation of their plantar flexors. Four sets of contractions were performed with heel cutaneous electrical stimulation (1.0 ms pulses delivered at 300 Hz, at 2 × perceptual threshold) and four sets with no stimulation. Instantaneous RTD values were analyzed in 25 ms epochs from onset to 250 ms. No significant differences were observed between stimulation conditions within each epoch, thus our results suggest that electrical cutaneous stimulation does not alter RTD in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102974"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142973468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strength and endurance of the lumbar extensor muscles and their predictors: A cross-sectional study in healthy subjects","authors":"Daniela Vlazna ,&nbsp;Blanka Adamova ,&nbsp;Peter Krkoska ,&nbsp;Viktoria Kokosova ,&nbsp;Katerina Matulova ,&nbsp;Tamara Barusova ,&nbsp;Michaela Sladeckova","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102973","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102973","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to present the values of maximal isometric lumbar extensor muscle strength (MILEMS) and lumbar extensor muscle endurance (LEME) in healthy subjects and to study the influence of physiological factors on these parameters. MILEMS using a hand-held dynamometer in three positions (prone, sitting, standing) and LEME using the Biering-Sørensen test were assessed in 115 healthy volunteers. The MILEMS measurements for the specific positions were correlated with each other (Pearson correlation coefficients 0.31–0.87, p &lt; 0.001). In univariable linear regression, sex showed the highest effect on MILEMS prediction in sitting position (higher strength in men, P &lt; 0.001, R² of 20.4 %). Multivariable linear regression led to construction of a calculator to estimate predicted MILEMS in the sitting position in relation to sex, age and BMI with R² of 32.2 %. LEME was mostly predicted by BMI (decrease of LEME with increasing BMI, P &lt; 0.001), but multivariable regression analysis did not allow the construction of a reliable calculator to predict this parameter. In conclusion, we provided values for MILEMS and LEME. A calculator was developed to predict MILEMS and to determine the percentile of measured MILEMS in an individual. It is expected to be particularly useful in assessing patients who are likely to have lumbar extensor muscle impairment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102973"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143017131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measurement of voluntary activation of abdominal flexors using transcranial magnetic stimulation","authors":"Olivia Szepietowski ,&nbsp;Hanne Ertman ,&nbsp;Shin-Yi Chiou ,&nbsp;Paul H. Strutton","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102961","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102961","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used to assess voluntary activation (VA) of limb and back muscles, however its ability to assess abdominal muscle VA is unknown. The assessment of abdominal muscle VA using TMS could be applied to patients with trunk dysfunction to enable further understanding of the neurophysiology of trunk control, inform practice and enable the development and monitoring of rehabilitation programmes.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The aim of this study was to investigate use of TMS and the twitch interpolation technique to measure voluntary activation of abdominal muscles.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty healthy participants performed sets of isometric abdominal contractions of varying levels, during which TMS was applied to the primary motor cortex. The evoked twitches were measured as torque, while simultaneous surface electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded bilaterally from rectus abdominis, erector spinae, tensor fasciae latae, and rectus femoris. VA was calculated as: (1 – superimposed twitch amplitude/estimated resting twitch amplitude) x 100. Estimated resting twitch amplitude was calculated by extrapolation using linear regression of superimposed twitch amplitude against torque for contraction strengths 50–100 % maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There was a strong linear relationship between voluntary torque of 50–100 % MVC and TMS-evoked twitch amplitude (<em>r</em>² = 0.994, p = 0.035), and voluntary torque between 50–100 % MVC and VA (<em>r</em>² = 0.997, p = 0.025). VA at a target torque of 100 % MVC was less than 100 % (86.20 ± 2.29 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>VA of abdominal muscles can be assessed with twitch interpolation using TMS. VA has been shown to be submaximal during maximum voluntary contractions, and it has been demonstrated that superimposed twitch amplitude decreases in a linear fashion with increasing contraction intensity. Using this technique to explore trunk muscle function could help to improve understanding of the neurophysiology of trunk control, including the sites on any deficit in drive and also improve monitoring of the efficacy of treatment regimes for clinical conditions associated with dysfunctions in trunk control e.g. low back pain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102961"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142787805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flexor hallucis longus and tibialis anterior: A synergistic relationship","authors":"Jacob Fanous ,&nbsp;Charles L. Rice","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102966","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102966","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) is an important muscle of the foot and ankle during locomotion, contributing to hallux and plantar flexion. For optimal hallux flexion the ankle needs to be stabilized against plantar flexion which may require action of the dorsiflexors. Due to the deep location of the FHL contractile drive assessed by electromyography (EMG) has not been explored systematically. Thus, the purpose was to test the relationship between the FHL and tibialis anterior (TA), the main dorsiflexor. Using indwelling EMG during isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) of hallux and ankle joint actions, 10 participants (3-females, 7-males) aged 23 ± 1.4 years were tested in custom hallux-flexion and ankle dynamometers, with bipolar wire electrodes recording from the FHL, soleus and TA muscles. During MVC, forces were 169.2 ± 28.5 N, 285.5 ± 65.4 N, and 712.3 ± 313.8 N for hallux flexion, dorsiflexion, and plantar flexion, respectively. During maximal hallux flexion, TA EMG was 53 % (±26.5) of its maximum with negligible soleus activity, 4.7 % (±3.1). No significant correlations were found between TA activity and strength, foot characteristics, sex, height, weight, or soleus activity. This higher level of relative EMG recorded from the TA during maximal hallux flexion has not been observed in prior studies during walking and indicates that the relationship between the FHL and TA is task dependent, thus highlighting the important synergistic role of the TA in allowing optimal toe flexion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102966"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142840359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reliability of reflex measurements and perceived instability following cutaneous stimulation during gait","authors":"Annalee M.H. Friedman ,&nbsp;Leif P. Madsen","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102958","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102958","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit a variety of sensorimotor deficits which contribute to long-term health risks and lower overall health-related quality of life. Recent literature finds abnormal cutaneous reflex characteristics and perceptions of instability during gait among those with CAI. These may serve as important patient-specific outcome measures in diagnosing and monitoring the condition, however, the test–retest reliability of these measurements is still undetermined. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess reliability of cutaneous reflex amplitudes and variability and perceived instability following perturbation in those with CAI and healthy controls during gait. Subjects walked on a treadmill while receiving random, non-noxious sural nerve stimulations throughout the stance phases of gait. Muscle activity was measured via electromyography for the peroneus longus, and medial and lateral gastrocnemius. Subjects reported their perceived instability following each stimulation. Cutaneous reflex amplitudes and perceived instability throughout the stance phases of gait can be reliably measured within the same day and over a 1-week period while reflex variability may be a less reliable measure. Our findings support the use of these variables as clinical outcome measures to identify and monitor neuromuscular recovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102958"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142808767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The unprecedented progresses in neuromechanics over the past 50 years – In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the international society of biomechanics","authors":"Daniel Hahn,&nbsp;Catherine Disselhorst-Klug,&nbsp;Deborah Falla,&nbsp;Dario Farina","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102963","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102963","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102963"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142792471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Episiotomy and innervation zones of the external anal Sphincter: A case series investigating the impact on neurological patterns","authors":"Kristina Drusany Starič ,&nbsp;Gregor Norčič ,&nbsp;Giorgia Campo ,&nbsp;Rosario Emanuele Carlo Distefano","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102970","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102970","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the impact of mediolateral episiotomy on the innervation zones of the External Anal Sphincter (EAS) in the absence and presence of direct muscular injury.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This case series examined four primiparous women, including three who underwent vaginal deliveries with mediolateral episiotomy and one cesarean section case for reference. Pre- and post-delivery assessments utilized surface electromyography (sEMG) and endoanal ultrasound to evaluate changes in the EAS’s innervation zones and obstetrical EAS injuries, alongside the Wexner score for fecal incontinence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mediolateral episiotomy can alter the innervation pattern of the EAS, with a significant reduction in innervation zones observed in the episiotomy cases compared to the reference cesarean section case. This alteration was evident even in the absence of visible EAS injury, suggesting episiotomy’s potential to disrupt EAS functionality. Notably, the Wexner score indicated varying degrees of fecal incontinence among the episiotomy cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Mediolateral episiotomy may impact the EAS’s innervation pattern, highlighting the importance of considering individual innervation zones in episiotomy planning. While the integration of sEMG into routine clinical practice is still evolving, this study underscores its potential as an additional tool for assessing neural integrity, particularly in cases of anal sphincter injury and reconstruction. Future research should explore the dynamics of re-innervation and the correlation between vascular injury and reduced innervation zones to enhance patient-specific care in pelvic floor dysfunction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102970"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142883727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}