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Contreras-Hernandez I, Arvanitidis M, Falla D, Negro F, Martinez-Valdes E. Achilles tendon morpho-mechanical parameters are related to triceps surae motor unit firing properties. J Neurophysiol 2024; 132:1198-1210. [PMID: 39230338 PMCID: PMC11495179 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00391.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies combining high-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) and ultrasound imaging have yielded valuable insights into the relationship between motor unit activity and muscle contractile properties. However, limited evidence exists on the relationship between motor unit firing properties and tendon morpho-mechanical properties. This study aimed to determine the relationship between triceps surae motor unit firing properties and the morpho-mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon (AT). Motor unit firing properties [i.e. mean discharge rate (DR) and coefficient of variation of the interspike interval (COVisi)] and motor unit firing-torque relationships [cross-correlation between cumulative spike train (CST) and torque, and the delay between motor unit firing and torque production (neuromechanical delay)] of the medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and soleus (SO) muscles were assessed using HD-sEMG during isometric plantarflexion contractions at 10% and 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The morpho-mechanical properties of the AT (i.e. length, thickness, cross-sectional area, and resting stiffness) were determined using B-mode ultrasonography and shear-wave elastography. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that at 10% MVC, the DR of the triceps surae muscles explained 41.7% of the variance in resting AT stiffness. In addition, at 10% MVC, COVisi SO predicted 30.4% of the variance in AT length. At 40% MVC, COVisi MG and COVisi SO explained 48.7% of the variance in AT length. Motor unit-torque relationships were not associated with any morpho-mechanical parameter. This study provides novel evidence of a contraction intensity-dependent relationship between motor unit firing parameters of the triceps surae muscle and the morpho-mechanical properties of the AT. NEW & NOTEWORTHY By employing HD-sEMG, conventional B-mode ultrasonography, and shear-wave elastography, we showed that the resting stiffness of the Achilles tendon is related to mean discharge rate of triceps surae motor units during low-force isometric plantarflexion contractions, providing relevant information about the complex interaction between rate coding and the muscle-tendon unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Contreras-Hernandez
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Michail Arvanitidis
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Negro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eduardo Martinez-Valdes
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Toninelli N, Coratella G, Longo S, Romani GM, Doria C, Rampichini S, Limonta E, Esposito F, Cè E. Synergistic difference in the effect of stretching on electromechanical delay components. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300112. [PMID: 38530855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the synergistic difference in the effect of stretching on electromechanical delay (EMD) and its components, using a simultaneous recording of electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals. Twenty-six healthy men underwent plantar flexors passive stretching. Before and after stretching, the electrochemical and mechanical components of the EMD and the relaxation EMD (R-EMD) were calculated in gastrocnemius medialis (GM), lateralis (GL) and soleus (SOL) during a supramaximal motor point stimulation. Additionally, joint passive stiffness was assessed. At baseline, the mechanical components of EMD and R-EMD were longer in GM and GL than SOL (Cohen's d from 1.78 to 3.67). Stretching decreased joint passive stiffness [-22(8)%, d = -1.96] while overall lengthened the electrochemical and mechanical EMD. The mechanical R-EMD components were affected more in GM [21(2)%] and GL [22(2)%] than SOL [12(1)%], with d ranging from 0.63 to 1.81. Negative correlations between joint passive stiffness with EMD and R-EMD mechanical components were found before and after stretching in all muscles (r from -0.477 to -0.926; P from 0.007 to <0.001). These results suggest that stretching plantar flexors affected GM and GL more than SOL. Future research should calculate EMD and R-EMD to further investigate the mechanical adaptations induced by passive stretching in synergistic muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Toninelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Coratella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Longo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia M Romani
- Division of Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
| | - Christian Doria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Limonta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Division of Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
- IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emiliano Cè
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Division of Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
- IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy
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Rehman MU, Shah K, Haq IU, Iqbal S, Ismail MA. A Wearable Force Myography-Based Armband for Recognition of Upper Limb Gestures. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:9357. [PMID: 38067728 PMCID: PMC10708660 DOI: 10.3390/s23239357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Force myography (FMG) represents a promising alternative to surface electromyography (EMG) in the context of controlling bio-robotic hands. In this study, we built upon our prior research by introducing a novel wearable armband based on FMG technology, which integrates force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors housed in newly designed casings. We evaluated the sensors' characteristics, including their load-voltage relationship and signal stability during the execution of gestures over time. Two sensor arrangements were evaluated: arrangement A, featuring sensors spaced at 4.5 cm intervals, and arrangement B, with sensors distributed evenly along the forearm. The data collection involved six participants, including three individuals with trans-radial amputations, who performed nine upper limb gestures. The prediction performance was assessed using support vector machines (SVMs) and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms for both sensor arrangments. The results revealed that the developed sensor exhibited non-linear behavior, and its sensitivity varied with the applied force. Notably, arrangement B outperformed arrangement A in classifying the nine gestures, with an average accuracy of 95.4 ± 2.1% compared to arrangement A's 91.3 ± 2.3%. The utilization of the arrangement B armband led to a substantial increase in the average prediction accuracy, demonstrating an improvement of up to 4.5%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ur Rehman
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan; (M.U.R.)
| | - Kamran Shah
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan; (M.U.R.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Izhar Ul Haq
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan; (M.U.R.)
| | - Sajid Iqbal
- Department of Information Systems, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohamed A. Ismail
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia;
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Cogliati M, Cudicio A, Benedini M, Cabral HV, Negro F, Reggiani C, Orizio C. Influence of age on force and re-lengthening dynamics after tetanic stimulation withdrawal in the tibialis anterior muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:1825-1836. [PMID: 37071199 PMCID: PMC10363076 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05198-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE During alternate movements across a joint, the changeover from one direction of rotation to the opposite may be influenced by the delay and rate of tension reduction and the compliance to re-lengthening of the previously active muscle group. Given the aging process may affect the above-mentioned factors, this work aimed to compare the dynamics of both the ankle torque decline and muscle re-lengthening, mirrored by mechanomyogram (MMG), in the tibialis anterior because of its important role in gait. METHODS During the relaxation phase, after a supramaximal 35 Hz stimulation applied at the superficial motor point, in 20 young (Y) and 20 old (O) subjects, the torque (T) and MMG dynamics characteristics were measured. RESULTS The T and MMG analysis provided: (I) the beginning of the decay after cessation of stimulation (T: 22.51 ± 5.92 ms [Y] and 51.35 ± 15.21 ms [O]; MMG: 27.38 ± 6.93 ms [Y] and 61.41 ± 18.42 ms [O]); (II) the maximum rate of reduction (T: - 110.4 ± 45.56 Nm/s [Y] and - 52.72 ± 32.12 Nm/s [O]; MMG: - 24.47 ± 10.95 mm/s [Y] and - 13.76 ± 6.54 mm/s [O]); (III) the muscle compliance, measuring the MMG reduction of every 10% reduction of torque (bin 20-10%: 15.69 ± 7.5[Y] and 10.8 ± 3.3 [O]; bin 10-0%: 22.12 ± 10.3 [Y] and 17.58 ± 5.6 [O]). CONCLUSION Muscle relaxation results are different in Y and O and can be monitored by a non-invasive method measuring physiological variables of torque and re-lengthening dynamics at the end of the electromechanical coupling previously induced by the neuromuscular stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Cogliati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - A. Cudicio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - M. Benedini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - H. V. Cabral
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - F. Negro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Centre of Research on the Neuromuscular Function and the Adapted Motor Activity, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - C. Reggiani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Science and Research Center, ZRS, Koper, Slovenia
| | - C. Orizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Centre of Research on the Neuromuscular Function and the Adapted Motor Activity, University of Brescia Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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Linderman SE, Scarborough DM, Aspenleiter R, Stein HS, Berkson EM. Assessing Quadriceps Muscle Contraction Using a Novel Surface Mechanomyography Sensor during Two Neuromuscular Control Screening Tasks. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:6031. [PMID: 37447881 DOI: 10.3390/s23136031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Electromyography (EMG) is the clinical standard for capturing muscle activation data to gain insight into neuromuscular control, yet challenges surrounding data analysis limit its use during dynamic tasks. Surface mechanomyography (sMMG) sensors are novel wearable devices that measure the physical output of muscle excursion during contraction, which may offer potential easy application to assess neuromuscular control. This study aimed to investigate sMMG detection of the timing patterns of muscle contraction compared to EMG. Fifteen healthy participants (mean age = 31.7 ± 9.1 y; eight males and seven females) were donned with EMG and sMMG sensors on their right quadriceps for simultaneous data capture during bilateral deep squats, and a subset performed three sets of repeated unilateral partial squats. No significant difference in the total duration of contraction was detected by EMG and sMMG during bilateral (p = 0.822) and partial (p = 0.246) squats. sMMG and EMG timing did not differ significantly for eccentric (p = 0.414) and concentric (p = 0.462) phases of muscle contraction during bilateral squats. The sMMG magnitude of quadriceps excursion demonstrated excellent intra-session retest reliability for bilateral (ICC3,1 = 0.962 mm) and partial (ICC3,1 = 0.936 mm, n = 10) squats. The sMMG sensors accurately and consistently provided key quadriceps muscle performance metrics during two physical activities commonly used to assess neuromuscular control for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and exercise training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Linderman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | | | - Hannah S Stein
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eric M Berkson
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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de Oliveira J, de Souza MA, Assef AA, Maia JM. Multi-Sensing Techniques with Ultrasound for Musculoskeletal Assessment: A Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:9232. [PMID: 36501933 PMCID: PMC9740760 DOI: 10.3390/s22239232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The study of muscle contractions generated by the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) plays a critical role in medical diagnoses, monitoring, rehabilitation, and functional assessments, including the potential for movement prediction modeling used for prosthetic control. Over the last decade, the use of combined traditional techniques to quantify information about the muscle condition that is correlated to neuromuscular electrical activation and the generation of muscle force and vibration has grown. The purpose of this review is to guide the reader to relevant works in different applications of ultrasound imaging in combination with other techniques for the characterization of biological signals. Several research groups have been using multi-sensing systems to carry out specific studies in the health area. We can divide these studies into two categories: human-machine interface (HMI), in which sensors are used to capture critical information to control computerized prostheses and/or robotic actuators, and physiological study, where sensors are used to investigate a hypothesis and/or a clinical diagnosis. In addition, the relevance, challenges, and expectations for future work are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan de Oliveira
- Graduate Program in Health Technology (PPGTS), Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Mauren Abreu de Souza
- Graduate Program in Health Technology (PPGTS), Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Amauri Amorin Assef
- Graduate Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (CPGEI), Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba 80230-901, Brazil
| | - Joaquim Miguel Maia
- Graduate Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (CPGEI), Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba 80230-901, Brazil
- Electronics Engineering Department (DAELN), Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba 80230-901, Brazil
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Lubel E, Grandi-Sgambato B, Barsakcioglu DY, Ibanez J, Tang MX, Farina D. Kinematics of individual muscle units in natural contractions measured in vivo using ultrafast ultrasound. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 36001952 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac8c6c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study of human neuromechanical control at the motor unit (MU) level has predominantly focussed on electrical activity and force generation, whilst the link between these, i.e., the muscle deformation, has not been widely studied. To address this gap, we analysed the kinematics of muscle units in natural contractions. APPROACH We combined high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) and ultrafast ultrasound (US) recordings, at 1000 frames per second, from the tibialis anterior muscle to measure the motion of the muscular tissue caused by individual MU contractions. The MU discharge times were identified online by decomposition of the HDsEMG and provided as biofeedback to 12 subjects who were instructed to keep the MU active at the minimum discharge rate (9.8 ± 4.7 pulses per second; force less than 10% of the maximum). The series of discharge times were used to identify the velocity maps associated with 51 single muscle unit movements with high spatio-temporal precision, by a novel processing method on the concurrently recorded US images. From the individual MU velocity maps, we estimated the region of movement, the duration of the motion, the contraction time, and the excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling delay. MAIN RESULTS Individual muscle unit motions could be reliably identified from the velocity maps in 10 out of 12 subjects. The duration of the motion, total contraction time, and E-C coupling were 17.9 ± 5.3 ms, 56.6 ± 8.4 ms, and 3.8 ± 3.0 ms (n = 390 across 10 participants). The experimental measures also provided the first evidence of muscle unit twisting during voluntary contractions and MU territories with distinct split regions. SIGNIFICANCE The proposed method allows for the study of kinematics of individual MU twitches during natural contractions. The described measurements and characterisations open new avenues for the study of neuromechanics in healthy and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lubel
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Bruno Grandi-Sgambato
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition road, London, SW7 2AZ, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Deren Y Barsakcioglu
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition road, London, SW7 2AZ, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Jaime Ibanez
- Bioengineering Group, Imperial College London, Engineering, London, SW7 2AZ, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Meng-Xing Tang
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Department of Bioeng, London, -- Select One --, SW7 2AZ, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Dario Farina
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition road, London, SW7 2AZ, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
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Coratella G, Longo S, Rampichini S, Doria C, Borrelli M, Limonta E, Michielon G, Cè E, Esposito F. Passive stretching decreases muscle efficiency in balance tasks. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256656. [PMID: 34550984 PMCID: PMC8457459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to verify whether or not passive static stretching affects balance control capacity. Thirty-eight participants (19 women and 19 men) underwent a passive static stretching session, involving the knee extensor/flexor and dorsi/plantarflexor muscles, and a control session (no stretching, CTRL). Before (PRE), immediately after (POST), after 15 (POST15) and 30 min (POST30) from stretching (or rest in CTRL), balance control was evaluated under static and dynamic conditions, with open/closed eyes, and with/without somatosensory perturbation (foam under the feet). During tests, centre of pressure (CoP) sway area and perimeter and antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway mean speed were computed. Surface electromyography root mean square (sEMG RMS) was calculated from the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius medialis, and tibialis anterior muscles during MVC and during the balance tests. Hip flexion/extension and dorsi/plantarflexion range of motion (ROM), maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and sEMG RMS during MVC were measured at the same time points. After stretching, ROM increased (≈6.5%; P<0.05), while MVC and sEMG RMS decreased (≈9% and ≈7.5%, respectively; P<0.05). Regardless of the testing condition, CoP sway area and the perimeter remained similar, while antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway mean speed decreased by ≈8% and ≈12%, respectively (P<0.05). sEMG RMS during the balance tests increased in all muscles in POST (≈7%, P<0.05). All variables recovered in POST30. No changes occurred in CTRL. Passive static stretching did not affect the overall balance control ability. However, greater muscle activation was required to maintain similar CoP sway, thus suggesting a decrease in muscle efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Coratella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Longo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Doria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Borrelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Limonta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Michielon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emiliano Cè
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy
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Rodrigues P, Trajano GS, Wharton L, Orssatto LB, Minett GM. A passive increase in muscle temperature enhances rapid force production and neuromuscular function in healthy adults. J Sci Med Sport 2021; 24:818-823. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Maeda N, Komiya M, Nishikawa Y, Morikawa M, Tsutsumi S, Tashiro T, Fukui K, Kimura H, Urabe Y. Effect of Acute Static Stretching on the Activation Patterns Using High-Density Surface Electromyography of the Gastrocnemius Muscle during Ramp-Up Task. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21144841. [PMID: 34300581 PMCID: PMC8309794 DOI: 10.3390/s21144841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate motor unit recruitment during submaximal voluntary ramp contraction in the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle (MG) by high-density spatial electromyography (SEMG) before and after static stretching (SS) in healthy young adults. SS for gastrocnemius was performed in 15 healthy participants for 2 min. Normalized peak torque by bodyweight of the plantar flexor, muscle activity at peak torque, and muscle activation patterns during ramp-up task were evaluated before and after SS. Motor unit recruitment during the submaximal voluntary contraction of the MG was measured using SEMG when performing submaximal ramp contractions during isometric ankle plantar flexion from 30 to 80% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). To evaluate the changes in the potential distribution of SEMG, the root mean square (RMS), modified entropy, and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated from the dense surface EMG data when 10% of the MVC force was applied. Muscle activation patterns during the 30 to 80% of MVC submaximal voluntary contraction tasks were significantly changed from 50 to 70% of MVC after SS when compared to before. The variations in motor unit recruitment after SS indicate diverse motor unit recruitments and inhomogeneous muscle activities, which may adversely affect the performance of sports activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Maeda
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.F.); (Y.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-82-257-5410; Fax: +81-82-257-5344
| | - Makoto Komiya
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.F.); (Y.U.)
| | - Yuichi Nishikawa
- Faculty of Frontier Engineering, Institute of Science & Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
| | - Masanori Morikawa
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.F.); (Y.U.)
- Department of Preventive Gerontology, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka-cho, Aichi, Obu City 474-8511, Japan
| | - Shogo Tsutsumi
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.F.); (Y.U.)
| | - Tsubasa Tashiro
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.F.); (Y.U.)
| | - Kazuki Fukui
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.F.); (Y.U.)
| | - Hiroaki Kimura
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan;
| | - Yukio Urabe
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan; (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.F.); (Y.U.)
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Acute Effects of a High Volume vs. High Intensity Bench Press Protocol on Electromechanical Delay and Muscle Morphology in Recreationally Trained Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094874. [PMID: 34063665 PMCID: PMC8124453 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the acute responses on muscle architecture, electromechanical delay (EMD) and performance following a high volume (HV: 5 sets of 10 reps at 70% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM)) and a high intensity (HI: 5 sets of 3 reps at 90% of 1RM) bench press protocol in women. Eleven recreationally trained women (age = 23.3 ± 1.8 y; body weight = 59.7 ± 6.0 kg; height = 164.0 ± 6.3 cm) performed each protocol in a counterbalanced randomized order. Muscle thickness of pectoral (PEC MT) and triceps muscles (TR MT) were collected prior to and 15 min post each trial. In addition, EMD of pectoral (PEC EMD) and triceps (TR EMD) muscles were calculated during isometric bench press maximum force tests performed at the same timepoints (IBPF). Significantly greater increases in PEC MT (p < 0.001) and TR MT (p < 0.001) were detected following HV compared to HI. PEC EMD showed a significantly greater increase following HV compared to HI (p = 0.039). Results of the present study indicate that the HV bench press protocol results in greater acute morphological and neuromuscular changes compared to a HI protocol in women. Evaluations of muscle morphology and electromechanical delay appear more sensitive to fatigue than maximum isometric force assessments.
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Cè E, Coratella G, Doria C, Rampichini S, Borrelli M, Longo S, Esposito F. No effect of passive stretching on neuromuscular function and maximum force-generating capacity in the antagonist muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 121:1955-1965. [PMID: 33770238 PMCID: PMC8192325 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-021-04646-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The present study investigated whether or not passive stretching increases the force-generating capacity of the antagonist muscle, and the possible neuromuscular mechanisms behind. Methods To this purpose, the neuromuscular function accompanying the force-generating capacity was assessed in 26 healthy male volunteers after passive stretching and in a control session. Before and after passive intermittent static stretching of the plantar flexors consisting of five sets × 45 s + 15 s-rest, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) and surface electromyographic root mean square (sEMG RMS) were measured in the tibialis anterior (the antagonist muscle). Additionally, evoked V wave, H-reflex, and M wave were elicited by nerve stimulation at rest and during MVC. Ankle range of motion (ROM) and plantar flexors MVC and EMG RMS were measured to check for the effectiveness of the stretching manoeuvre. Results No change in MVC [p = 0.670; effect size (ES) − 0.03] and sEMG RMS/M wave during MVC (p = 0.231; ES − 0.09) was observed in the antagonist muscle after passive stretching. Similarly, no change in V wave (p = 0.531; ES 0.16), H-reflex at rest and during MVC (p = 0.656 and 0.597; ES 0.11 and 0.23, respectively) and M wave at rest and during MVC (p = 0.355 and 0.554; ES 0.04 and 0.01, respectively) was observed. An increase in ankle ROM (p < 0.001; ES 0.55) and a decrease in plantar flexors MVC (p < 0.001; ES − 1.05) and EMG RMS (p < 0.05; ES − 1.72 to − 0.13 in all muscles) indicated the effectiveness of stretching protocol. Conclusion No change in the force-generating capacity and neuromuscular function of the antagonist muscle after passive stretching was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Cè
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milano, Italy
- IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Coratella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Christian Doria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Borrelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Longo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133, Milano, Italy
- IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milano, Italy
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Uwamahoro R, Sundaraj K, Subramaniam ID. Assessment of muscle activity using electrical stimulation and mechanomyography: a systematic review. Biomed Eng Online 2021; 20:1. [PMID: 33390158 PMCID: PMC7780389 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-020-00840-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This research has proved that mechanomyographic (MMG) signals can be used for evaluating muscle performance. Stimulation of the lost physiological functions of a muscle using an electrical signal has been determined crucial in clinical and experimental settings in which voluntary contraction fails in stimulating specific muscles. Previous studies have already indicated that characterizing contractile properties of muscles using MMG through neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) showed excellent reliability. Thus, this review highlights the use of MMG signals on evaluating skeletal muscles under electrical stimulation. In total, 336 original articles were identified from the Scopus and SpringerLink electronic databases using search keywords for studies published between 2000 and 2020, and their eligibility for inclusion in this review has been screened using various inclusion criteria. After screening, 62 studies remained for analysis, with two additional articles from the bibliography, were categorized into the following: (1) fatigue, (2) torque, (3) force, (4) stiffness, (5) electrode development, (6) reliability of MMG and NMES approaches, and (7) validation of these techniques in clinical monitoring. This review has found that MMG through NMES provides feature factors for muscle activity assessment, highlighting standardized electromyostimulation and MMG parameters from different experimental protocols. Despite the evidence of mathematical computations in quantifying MMG along with NMES, the requirement of the processing speed, and fluctuation of MMG signals influence the technique to be prone to errors. Interestingly, although this review does not focus on machine learning, there are only few studies that have adopted it as an alternative to statistical analysis in the assessment of muscle fatigue, torque, and force. The results confirm the need for further investigation on the use of sophisticated computations of features of MMG signals from electrically stimulated muscles in muscle function assessment and assistive technology such as prosthetics control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Uwamahoro
- Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektronik & Kejuruteraan Komputer, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Tunggal, Malaysia
- Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and E-Health, University of Rwanda, PO BOX 4285, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Kenneth Sundaraj
- Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektronik & Kejuruteraan Komputer, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Tunggal, Malaysia.
| | - Indra Devi Subramaniam
- Pusat Bahasa & Pembangunan Insan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Tunggal, Malaysia
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Son J, Rymer WZ. Longer electromechanical delay in paretic triceps surae muscles during voluntary isometric plantarflexion torque generation in chronic hemispheric stroke survivors. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2020; 56:102475. [PMID: 33242750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Electromechanical delay (EMD) is the time delay between the onset of muscle activity and the onset of force/joint torque. This delay appears to be linked to muscular contraction efficiency. However, to our knowledge, limited evidence is available regarding the magnitude of the EMD in stroke-impaired muscles. Accordingly, this study aims to quantify the EMD in both paretic and non-paretic triceps surae muscles of chronic hemispheric stroke survivors, and to investigate whether the EMD is related to voluntary force-generating capacity in this muscle group. Nine male chronic stroke survivors were asked to perform isometric plantarflexion contractions at different force levels and at different ankle joint angles ranging from maximum plantarflexion to maximum dorsiflexion. The surface electromyograms were recorded from triceps surae muscles. The longest EMD among triceps surae muscles was chosen as the EMD for each side. Our results revealed that the EMD in paretic muscles was significantly longer than in non-paretic muscles. Moreover, both paretic and non-paretic muscles showed a negative correlation between the EMD and maximum torque-generating capacity. In addition, there was a strong positive relationship between the EMD and shear wave speed in paretic muscles as well as a negative relationship between the EMD and passive ankle joint range of motion. These findings imply that the EMD may be a useful biomarker, in part, associated with contractile and material properties in stroke-impaired muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongsang Son
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | - William Zev Rymer
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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15
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Mechanisms underlying performance impairments following prolonged static stretching without a comprehensive warm-up. Eur J Appl Physiol 2020; 121:67-94. [PMID: 33175242 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04538-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Whereas a variety of pre-exercise activities have been incorporated as part of a "warm-up" prior to work, combat, and athletic activities for millennia, the inclusion of static stretching (SS) within a warm-up has lost favor in the last 25 years. Research emphasized the possibility of SS-induced impairments in subsequent performance following prolonged stretching without proper dynamic warm-up activities. Proposed mechanisms underlying stretch-induced deficits include both neural (i.e., decreased voluntary activation, persistent inward current effects on motoneuron excitability) and morphological (i.e., changes in the force-length relationship, decreased Ca2+ sensitivity, alterations in parallel elastic component) factors. Psychological influences such as a mental energy deficit and nocebo effects could also adversely affect performance. However, significant practical limitations exist within published studies, e.g., long-stretching durations, stretching exercises with little task specificity, lack of warm-up before/after stretching, testing performed immediately after stretch completion, and risk of investigator and participant bias. Recent research indicates that appropriate durations of static stretching performed within a full warm-up (i.e., aerobic activities before and task-specific dynamic stretching and intense physical activities after SS) have trivial effects on subsequent performance with some evidence of improved force output at longer muscle lengths. For conditions in which muscular force production is compromised by stretching, knowledge of the underlying mechanisms would aid development of mitigation strategies. However, these mechanisms are yet to be perfectly defined. More information is needed to better understand both the warm-up components and mechanisms that contribute to performance enhancements or impairments when SS is incorporated within a pre-activity warm-up.
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16
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Cè E, Coratella G, Bisconti AV, Venturelli M, Limonta E, Doria C, Rampichini S, Longo S, Esposito F. Neuromuscular versus Mechanical Stretch-induced Changes in Contralateral versus Ipsilateral Muscle. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2020; 52:1294-1306. [PMID: 31913244 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Whether or not the homologous contralateral muscle (CM) undergoes stretch-induced force reduction as the stretched muscle (SM) is still unclear. The neuromuscular and mechanical factors underlying the force reduction in CM and SM were investigated. METHODS Twenty-one participants underwent unilateral knee extensors passive stretching. In both CM and SM, before, immediately after (POST), 5 (POST5), and 10 min (POST10) after passive stretching, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), peak force (pF), and voluntary activation (VA) were measured. During MVC, the electromyographic and mechanomyographic root mean square (EMG RMS and MMG RMS, respectively) was calculated in rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis, together with M-wave. The total electromechanical delay (EMD), divided in time delay (Δt) EMG-MMG and Δt MMG-F was calculated. RESULTS In CM at POST, the decrease in MVC (-11%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -13 to -9; effect size [ES], -2.27) was accompanied by a fall in VA (-7%; 95% CI, -9 to -4; ES, -2.29), EMG RMS (range, -22% to -11%; ES, -3.92 to -2.25), MMG RMS (range, -10% to -8%; ES, -0.52 to -0.39) and an increase in Δt EMG-MMG (≈+10%; ES, 0.73 to 0.93). All changes returned to baseline at POST5. In SM, decrease in MVC (-19%; 95% CI, -24 to -18; ES, -3.08), pF (-25%; 95% CI, -28 to -22; ES, -4.90), VA (-10%; 95% CI, -11 to -9; ES, -5.71), EMG RMS (≈-33%; ES, -5.23 to -3.22) and rise in MMG RMS (range, +25% to +32%; ES, 4.21 to 4.98) and EMD (≈+28%; ES, 1.59 to 1.77) were observed at POST and persisted at POST10. No change in M-wave occurred. CONCLUSIONS The contralateral central motor drive stretch-induced inhibition seems to account for the force reduction in CM. In SM, both central inhibition and mechanical factors concurred.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Coratella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, ITALY
| | | | | | - Eloisa Limonta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, ITALY
| | - Christian Doria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, ITALY
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, ITALY
| | - Stefano Longo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, ITALY
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Sonomechanomyography (SMMG): Mapping of Skeletal Muscle Motion Onset during Contraction Using Ultrafast Ultrasound Imaging and Multiple Motion Sensors. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20195513. [PMID: 32993105 PMCID: PMC7582362 DOI: 10.3390/s20195513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Available methods for studying muscle dynamics, including electromyography (EMG), mechanomyography (MMG) and M-mode ultrasound, have limitations in terms of spatial resolution. METHODS This study developed a novel method/protocol of two-dimensional mapping of muscle motion onset using ultrafast ultrasound imaging, i.e., sono-mechano-myo-graphy (SMMG). The developed method was compared with the EMG, MMG and force outputs of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle during ankle dorsiflexion at different percentages of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force in healthy young adults. RESULTS Significant differences between all pairwise comparisons of onsets were identified, except between SMMG and MMG. The EMG onset significantly led SMMG, MMG and force onsets by 40.0 ± 1.7 ms (p < 0.001), 43.1 ± 5.2 ms (p < 0.005) and 73.0 ± 4.5 ms (p < 0.001), respectively. Muscle motion also started earlier at the middle aponeurosis than skin surface and deeper regions when viewed longitudinally (p < 0.001). No significant effect of force level on onset delay was found. CONCLUSIONS This study introduced and evaluated a new method/protocol, SMMG, for studying muscle dynamics and demonstrated its feasibility for muscle contraction onset research. This novel technology can potentially provide new insights for future studies of neuromuscular diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
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Schaefer L, Bittmann F. Mechanotendography in Achillodynia shows reduced oscillation variability of pre-loaded Achilles tendon: a pilot study. Eur J Transl Myol 2020. [DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2020.8983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study focuses on an innovative approach in measuring the mechanical oscillations of pre-loaded Achilles tendon by using Mechanotendography (MTG) during application of a short yet powerful mechanical pressure impact. This was applied on the forefoot from the plantar side in direction of dorsiflexion, while the subject stood on the ball of the forefoot on one leg. Participants with Achilles tendinopathy (AT; n = 10) were compared to healthy controls (Con; n = 10). Five trials were performed on each side of the body. For evaluation, two intervals after the impulse began (0-100ms; 30-100ms) were cut from the MTG and pressure raw signals. The intrapersonal variability between the five trials in both intervals were evaluated using the arithmetic mean and coefficient of variation of the mean correlation (Spearman rank correlation) and the normalized averaged mean distances, respectively. The AT-group showed a significantly reduced variability in MTG compared to the Con-group (from p = 0.006 to p = 0.028 for different parameters). The 95% confidence intervals (CI) of MTG results were disjoint, whereas the 95% CIs of the pressure signals were similar (p = 0.192 to p = 0.601). We suggest from this work that the variability of mechanical tendon oscillations could be an indicative parameter of an altered Achilles tendon functionality.
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Schaefer L, Bittmann F. Mechanotendography in Achillodynia shows reduced oscillation variability of pre-loaded Achilles tendon: a pilot study. Eur J Transl Myol 2020; 30:8983. [PMID: 32782763 PMCID: PMC7385694 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study focuses on an innovative approach in measuring the mechanical oscillations of pre-loaded Achilles tendon by using Mechanotendography (MTG) during application of a short yet powerful mechanical pressure impact. This was applied on the forefoot from the plantar side in direction of dorsiflexion, while the subject stood on the ball of the forefoot on one leg. Participants with Achilles tendinopathy (AT; n = 10) were compared to healthy controls (Con; n = 10). Five trials were performed on each side of the body. For evaluation, two intervals after the impulse began (0-100ms; 30-100ms) were cut from the MTG and pressure raw signals. The intrapersonal variability between the five trials in both intervals were evaluated using the arithmetic mean and coefficient of variation of the mean correlation (Spearman rank correlation) and the normalized averaged mean distances, respectively. The AT-group showed a significantly reduced variability in MTG compared to the Con-group (from p = 0.006 to p = 0.028 for different parameters). The 95% confidence intervals (CI) of MTG results were disjoint, whereas the 95% CIs of the pressure signals were similar (p = 0.192 to p = 0.601). We suggest from this work that the variability of mechanical tendon oscillations could be an indicative parameter of an altered Achilles tendon functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Schaefer
- Regulative Physiology and Prevention, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Potsdam, Germany
| | - Frank Bittmann
- Regulative Physiology and Prevention, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Potsdam, Germany
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20
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Saidane Y, Parry R, Belkhiria C, Jebara SB, Driss T, de Marco G. Effects of Mental Effort on Premotor Muscle Activity and Maximal Grip Force. J Mot Behav 2020; 53:234-242. [PMID: 32468962 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2020.1770179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study sought to evaluate how mental effort modulates premotor activity within forearm muscles in the context of an isometric grasping task. Muscle activity of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) was recorded during the application of maximum grip forces in nineteen healthy adult subjects. Each subject was examined under two experimental conditions: 1) spontaneous initiation of grasp (SI) and 2) focused concentration preceding the initiation of grasp (CA). Two novel parameters, the mean premotor duration (MPD) and the mean premotor power (MPP) were used to distinguish patterns of muscle activity. Here we tested the hypothesis was maximal grip strength is primed by muscle activity during the premotor phase. Our results demonstrate that MPD for each muscle group was significantly longer in the CA condition than for the SI condition (BF10 = 491497) and that MPP was significantly greater in EDC than in FDS (BF10 = 4305). Furthermore, both the MPD and MPP of the EDC were significantly correlated with maximum grip force. These results suggest that the increase of premotor activity consequent to the mental effort (focused concentration) may support internal biomechanical and physiological mechanisms which serve to enhance patterns of neuromuscular synergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosra Saidane
- Laboratoire COSIM, Ecole Supérieure de Communication de Tunis, Université de Carthage Route de Raoued, Cite El Ghazala, Ariana, Tunisie
| | - Ross Parry
- Centre de Recherches sur le Sport et le Mouvement, UFR STAPS, UPL, Université Paris Nanterre, Nanterre, France.,COMUE, Université Paris Lumières, Paris, France
| | - Chama Belkhiria
- Centre de Recherches sur le Sport et le Mouvement, UFR STAPS, UPL, Université Paris Nanterre, Nanterre, France
| | - Sofia Ben Jebara
- Laboratoire COSIM, Ecole Supérieure de Communication de Tunis, Université de Carthage Route de Raoued, Cite El Ghazala, Ariana, Tunisie
| | - Tarak Driss
- Centre de Recherches sur le Sport et le Mouvement, UFR STAPS, UPL, Université Paris Nanterre, Nanterre, France.,COMUE, Université Paris Lumières, Paris, France
| | - Giovanni de Marco
- Centre de Recherches sur le Sport et le Mouvement, UFR STAPS, UPL, Université Paris Nanterre, Nanterre, France.,COMUE, Université Paris Lumières, Paris, France
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Jacunski M, Rafferty GF. The effects of hypoxia and fatigue on skeletal muscle electromechanical delay. Exp Physiol 2020; 105:842-851. [PMID: 32134528 DOI: 10.1113/ep088180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? What are the mechanisms underlying impaired muscular endurance and accelerated fatigue during acute hypoxia? What is the main finding and its importance? Hypoxia had no effect on the electrochemical latency associated with muscle contraction elicited by supramaximal electrical motor nerve stimulation in vivo. This provides greater insight into the effects of hypoxia and fatigue on the mechanisms of muscle contraction in vivo. ABSTRACT Acute hypoxia impairs muscle endurance and accelerates fatigue, but the underlying mechanisms, including any effects on muscle electrical activation, are incompletely understood. Electromyographic, mechanomyographic and force signals, elicited by common fibular nerve stimulation, were used to determine electromechanical delay (EMDTOT ) of the tibialis anterior muscle in normoxia and hypoxia ( F I O 2 0.125) at rest and following fatiguing ankle dorsiflexor exercise (60% maximum voluntary contraction, 5 s on, 3 s off) in 12 healthy participants (mean (SD) age 27.4 (9.0) years). EMDTOT was determined from electromyographic to force signal onset, electrical activation latency from electromyographic to mechanomyographic (EMDE-M ) and mechanical latency from mechanomyographic to force (EMDM-F ). Twitch force fell significantly following fatiguing exercise in normoxia (46.8 (14.7) vs. 20.6 (14.3) N, P = 0.0002) and hypoxia (52.9 (15.4) vs. 28.8 (15.2) N, P = 0.0006). No effect of hypoxia on twitch force at rest was observed. Fatiguing exercise resulted in significant increases in mean (SD) EMDTOT in normoxia (Δ 4.7 (4.57) ms P = 0.0152) and hypoxia (Δ 3.7 (4.06) ms P = 0.0384) resulting from increased mean (SD) EMDM-F only (normoxia Δ 4.1 (4.1) ms P = 0.0391, hypoxia Δ 3.4 (3.6) ms P = 0.0303). Mean (SD) EMDE-M remained unchanged during normoxic (Δ 0.6 (1.08) ms) and hypoxic (Δ 0.25 (0.75) ms) fatiguing exercise. No differences in percentage change from baseline for twitch force, EMDTOT , EMDE-M and EMDM-F between normoxic and hypoxic fatigue conditions were observed. Hypoxia in isolation or in combination with fatigue had no effect on the electrochemical latency associated with electrically evoked muscle contraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Jacunski
- Guy's, King's & St Thomas' School of Medical Education, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gerrard F Rafferty
- Centre for Human & Applied Physiological Sciences, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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Acute Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Static Stretching on Hip Flexion Angle in Athletes with Varying Flexibility Training Background. Sports (Basel) 2020; 8:sports8030028. [PMID: 32138183 PMCID: PMC7183084 DOI: 10.3390/sports8030028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Τhis study examined changes in hip joint flexion angle after an intermittent or a continuous static stretching protocol of equal total duration. Twenty-seven female subjects aged 19.9 ± 3.0 years (14 artistic and rhythmic gymnasts and 13 team sports athletes), performed 3 min of intermittent (6 × 30 s with 30 s rest) or continuous static stretching (3 min) of the hip extensors, with an intensity of 80–90 on a 100-point visual analogue scale. The order of stretching was randomized and counterbalanced, and each subject performed both conditions. Hip flexion angle was measured with the straight leg raise test for both legs after warm-up and immediately after stretching. Both stretching types equally increased hip flexion angle by ~6% (continuous: 140.9° ± 20.4° to 148.6° ± 18.8°, p = 0.047; intermittent: 141.8° ± 20.3° to 150.0° ± 18.8°, p = 0.029) in artistic and rhythmic gymnasts. In contrast, in team sports athletes, only intermittent stretching increased hip flexion angle by 13% (from 91.0° ± 7.2° to 102.4° ± 14.5°, p = 0.001), while continuous stretching did not affect hip angle (from 92.4° ± 6.9° vs. 93.1° ± 9.2°, p = 0.99). The different effect of intermittent vs. continuous stretching on hip flexion between gymnasts and team sports athletes suggests that responses to static stretching are dependent on stretching mode and participants training experience.
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Wingert JR, Corle CE, Saccone DF, Lee J, Rote AE. Effects of a Community-Based Tai Chi Program on Balance, Functional Outcomes, and Sensorimotor Function in Older Adults. PHYSICAL & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN GERIATRICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/02703181.2019.1709600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jason R. Wingert
- Department of Health and Wellness, One University Heights, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Caitlin E. Corle
- Department of Health and Wellness, One University Heights, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Diane F. Saccone
- Healthy Aging Initiatives, YMCA of Western North Carolina, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jimin Lee
- Department of Mathematics, One University Heights, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aubrianne E. Rote
- Department of Health and Wellness, One University Heights, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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24
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Cè E, Longo S, Limonta E, Coratella G, Rampichini S, Esposito F. Peripheral fatigue: new mechanistic insights from recent technologies. Eur J Appl Physiol 2019; 120:17-39. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-019-04264-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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25
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Rinaldin CDP, Cabral LPA, Krueger E, Nogueira-Neto GN, Nohama P, Scheeren EM. Fatigue in complete spinal cord injury and implications on total delay. Artif Organs 2019; 44:305-313. [PMID: 31553061 DOI: 10.1111/aor.13573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to artificially restore movement in people with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) induces an accelerated process of muscle fatigue. Fatigue increases the time between the beginning of NMES and the onset of muscle force (DelayTOT ). Understanding how much muscle fatigue affects the DelayTOT in people with SCI could help in the design of closed-loop neuroprostheses that compensate for this delay, thus making the control system more stable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the extent of fatigue on DelayTOT and peak force of the lower limbs in people with complete SCI. Fifteen men-young adults with complete SCI (paraplegia and tetraplegia) and stable health-participated in the experiment. DelayTOT was defined as the time interval between the beginning of NMES application until the onset of muscle force. The electrical intensity of NMES applied was adjusted individually and consisted of the amplitude required to obtain a full extension of the knee (0°), considering the maximum electrically stimulated extension (MESE). Subsequently, 70% of the MESE was applied during the fatigue induction protocol. Significant differences were identified between the moments before and after the fatigue protocol, both for peak force (P ≤ .026) and DelayTOT (P ≤ .001). The medians and interquartile range of the DelayTOT were higher in postfatigue (199.0 ms) when compared to the moment before fatigue (146.5 ms). The medians and interquartile range of the peak force were higher in unfatigued lower limbs (0.43 kgf) when compared to the moment postfatigue (0.27 kgf). The results support the hypothesis that muscle fatigue influences the increase in DelayTOT and decrease in force production in people with SCI. For future applications, the combined evaluation of the delay and force in SCI patients provides valuable feedback for NMES paradigms. The study will provide potentially critical muscle mechanical evidence for the investigation of the evolution of atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luciane Patrícia Adreani Cabral
- Human Motricity Laboratory/PPGTS, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil.,Regional University Hospital of Campos Gerais, Campus of Ponta Grossa State University, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Eddy Krueger
- Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Master and Doctoral Program in Rehabilitation Sciences UEL-UNOPAR, Anatomy Department, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.,Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory/CPGEI/PPGEB, Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Guilherme N Nogueira-Neto
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory/PPGTS, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Percy Nohama
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory/CPGEI/PPGEB, Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba, Brazil.,Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory/PPGTS, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M Scheeren
- Human Motricity Laboratory/PPGTS, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil
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Trajano GS, Seitz LB, Nosaka K, Blazevich AJ. Passive muscle stretching impairs rapid force production and neuromuscular function in human plantar flexors. Eur J Appl Physiol 2019; 119:2673-2684. [PMID: 31650306 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-019-04244-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined the effect of muscle stretching on the ability to produce rapid torque and the mechanisms underpinning the changes. METHODS Eighteen men performed three conditions: (1) continuous stretch (1 set of 5 min), (2) intermittent stretch (5 sets of 1 min with 15-s inter-stretch interval), and (3) control. Isometric plantar flexor rate of torque development was measured during explosive maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) in the intervals 0-100 ms (RTDV100) and 0-200 ms (RTDV200), and in electrically evoked 0.5-s tetanic contractions (20 Hz, 20 Hz preceded by a doublet and 80 Hz). The rate of EMG rise, electromechanical delay during MVC (EMDV) and during a single twitch contraction (EMDtwitch) were assessed. RESULTS RTDV200 was decreased (P < 0.05) immediately after continuous (- 15%) and intermittent stretch (- 30%) with no differences between protocols. The rate of torque development during tetanic stimulations was reduced (P < 0.05) immediately after continuous (- 8%) and intermittent stretch (- 10%), when averaged across stimulation frequencies. Lateral gastrocnemius rate of EMG rise was reduced after intermittent stretch (- 27%), and changes in triceps surae rate of EMG rise were correlated with changes in RTDV200 after both continuous (r = 0.64) and intermittent stretch (r = 0.65). EMDV increased immediately (31%) and 15 min (17%) after intermittent stretch and was correlated with changes in RTDV200 (r = - 0.56). EMDtwitch increased immediately after continuous (4%), and immediately (5.4%), 15 min (6.3%), and 30 min after (6.4%) intermittent stretch (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Reductions in the rate of torque development immediately after stretching were associated with both neural and mechanical mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S Trajano
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia.
| | - Laurent B Seitz
- Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Kazunori Nosaka
- Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Anthony J Blazevich
- Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
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Differences in electromechanical delay components induced by sex, age and physical activity level: new insights from a combined electromyographic, mechanomyographic and force approach. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-019-00563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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28
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Hamstring Stiffness Returns More Rapidly After Static Stretching Than Range of Motion, Stretch Tolerance, and Isometric Peak Torque. J Sport Rehabil 2018; 28:325-331. [PMID: 29252096 DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2017-0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Context: Hamstring injuries are common, and lack of hamstring flexibility may predispose to injury. Static stretching not only increases range of motion (ROM) but also results in reduced muscle strength after stretching. The effects of stretching on the hamstring muscles and the duration of these effects remain unclear. Objective: To determine the effects of static stretching on the hamstrings and the duration of these effects. Design: Randomized crossover study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: A total of 24 healthy volunteers. Interventions: The torque-angle relationship (ROM, passive torque [PT] at the onset of pain, and passive stiffness) and isometric muscle force using an isokinetic dynamometer were measured. After a 60-minute rest, the ROM of the dynamometer was set at the maximum tolerable intensity; this position was maintained for 300 seconds, while static PT was measured continuously. The torque-angle relationship and isometric muscle force after rest periods of 10, 20, and 30 minutes were remeasured. Main Outcome Measures: Change in static PT during stretching and changes in ROM, PT at the onset of pain, passive stiffness, and isometric muscle force before stretching were compared with 10, 20, and 30 minutes after stretching. Results: Static PT decreased significantly during stretching. Passive stiffness decreased significantly 10 and 20 minutes after stretching, but there was no significant prestretching versus poststretching difference after 30 minutes. PT at the onset of pain and ROM increased significantly after stretching at all rest intervals, while isometric muscle force decreased significantly after all rest intervals. Conclusions: The effect of static stretching on passive stiffness of the hamstrings was not maintained as long as the changes in ROM, stretch tolerance, and isometric muscle force. Therefore, frequent stretching is necessary to improve the viscoelasticity of the muscle-tendon unit. Muscle force decreased for 30 minutes after stretching; this should be considered prior to activities requiring maximal muscle strength.
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29
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A Piezoresistive Sensor to Measure Muscle Contraction and Mechanomyography. SENSORS 2018; 18:s18082553. [PMID: 30081541 PMCID: PMC6111775 DOI: 10.3390/s18082553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Measurement of muscle contraction is mainly achieved through electromyography (EMG) and is an area of interest for many biomedical applications, including prosthesis control and human machine interface. However, EMG has some drawbacks, and there are also alternative methods for measuring muscle activity, such as by monitoring the mechanical variations that occur during contraction. In this study, a new, simple, non-invasive sensor based on a force-sensitive resistor (FSR) which is able to measure muscle contraction is presented. The sensor, applied on the skin through a rigid dome, senses the mechanical force exerted by the underlying contracting muscles. Although FSR creep causes output drift, it was found that appropriate FSR conditioning reduces the drift by fixing the voltage across the FSR and provides voltage output proportional to force. In addition to the larger contraction signal, the sensor was able to detect the mechanomyogram (MMG), i.e., the little vibrations which occur during muscle contraction. The frequency response of the FSR sensor was found to be large enough to correctly measure the MMG. Simultaneous recordings from flexor carpi ulnaris showed a high correlation (Pearson's r > 0.9) between the FSR output and the EMG linear envelope. Preliminary validation tests on healthy subjects showed the ability of the FSR sensor, used instead of the EMG, to proportionally control a hand prosthesis, achieving comparable performances.
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30
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Begovic H, Can F, Yağcioğlu S, Ozturk N. Passive stretching-induced changes detected during voluntary muscle contractions. Physiother Theory Pract 2018; 36:731-740. [PMID: 30015563 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1491660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Stretching exercises are known for reduction of musculoskeletal stiffness and elongation of electromechanical delay (EMD). However, computing a change in stiffness by means of time delays, detected between onset of electromyographic (EMG), mechanomyographic (MMG) and force signals, can reveal changes in subcomponents (Δt EMG-MMG and Δt MMG-FORCE) of EMD after stretching. In our study, the effect of stretching was investigated while quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle performed isometric contractions. The EMG, MMG, and Force signals were recorded from rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM) during five voluntarily isometric contractions at 15°, 30°, and 45° of knee flexion angle, while the leg was positioned on a custom-made device. Subjects in both intervention and control groups underwent same recording procedure before and after stretching. No difference between the baseline repeated contractions (before stretching) was ensured by ANOVA for repeated measures while a difference between PRE and POST was analyzed and concluded based on the effect size results. The EMD did not change; however, subcomponents (Δt EMG-MMG and Δt MMG-FORCE) showed differences within RF and VM muscles after stretching. The 30° knee flexion angle appears to be a position where isometric contraction intensity needs to be carefully monitored during rehabilitation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Begovic
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong
| | - Filiz Can
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Suha Yağcioğlu
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Necla Ozturk
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe University , Istanbul, Turkey
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31
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Precontractile optical response during excitation-contraction in human muscle revealed by non-invasive high-speed spatiotemporal NIR measurement. Sci Rep 2018; 8:213. [PMID: 29317688 PMCID: PMC5760718 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18455-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During muscle contraction the excitation-contraction process mediates the neural input and mechanical output. Proper muscle function and body locomotion depends on the status of the elements in the same process. However, non-invasive and in-vivo methods to study this are not available. Here we show the existence of an optical response occurring during the excitation-contraction process in human biceps brachii muscle. We developed a non-invasive instrument from a photodiode array and light emitting diodes to detect spatially propagating (~5 m/s) and precontractile (~6 ms onset) optical signals closely related to the action potential during electrostimulation. Although this phenomenon was observed 60 years ago on isolated frog muscle cells in the lab, it has not been shown in-vivo before now. We anticipate our results to be a starting point for a new category in-vivo studies, characterising alterations in the excitation-contraction process in patients with neuromuscular disease and to monitor effects of therapy.
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32
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Cè E, Longo S, McCoy E, Bisconti AV, Tironi D, Limonta E, Rampichini S, Rabuffetti M, Esposito F. Acute effects of direct inhibitory pressure over the biceps brachii myotendinous junction on skeletal muscle activation and force output. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2017; 37:25-34. [PMID: 28866370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Force (F) reduction is reported with myotendinous junction (MTJ) manipulation. Autogenic inhibition reflex (AIR) activation is supposed to be the main mechanism. Still, its role remains unclear. The study aimed at assessing the effects of MTJ direct inhibitory pressure (DIP) on neuromuscular activation and F in the elbow flexor (agonist) and extensor (antagonist) muscles. After maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) assessment, thirty-five participants randomly performed submaximal contractions at 20, 40, 60, and 80% MVC. Electromyographic (EMG), mechanomyographic (MMG), and F signals were recorded. Protocol was repeated under (i) DIP (10-s pressure on the biceps brachii MTJ) with the elbow at 120° (DIP120), (ii) DIP with the elbow at 180° (DIP180), and (iii) without DIP (Ctrl). Electromechanical delay (EMD) components, EMG and MMG root mean square (RMS), and rate of force development (RFD) were calculated. Independently from the angle, DIP induced decrements in MVC, RFD, and RMS of EMG and MMG signals and lengthened the EMD components in agonist muscles (P<0.05). The DIP-induced decrease in F output of the agonist muscles seems to be possibly due to a concomitant impairment of the neuromuscular activation and a transient decrease in stiffness. After DIP, the antagonist muscle displayed no changes; therefore, the intervention of AIR remains questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Cè
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Longo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Emily McCoy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133 Milan, Italy; Division of Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, United States
| | - Angela Valentina Bisconti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Tironi
- IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation, Via Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Limonta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Rabuffetti
- IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation, Via Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133 Milan, Italy; IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation, Via Capecelatro 66, 20148 Milan, Italy
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33
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Smith CM, Housh TJ, Hill EC, Keller JL, Johnson GO, Schmidt RJ. Effects of intensity on muscle-specific voluntary electromechanical delay and relaxation electromechanical delay. J Sports Sci 2017; 36:1196-1203. [DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1364403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cory M. Smith
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Terry J. Housh
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Ethan C. Hill
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Josh L. Keller
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Glen O. Johnson
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Richard J. Schmidt
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
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34
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Esposito F, Cè E, Rampichini S, Monti E, Limonta E, Fossati B, Meola G. Electromechanical delays during a fatiguing exercise and recovery in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1. Eur J Appl Physiol 2017; 117:551-566. [PMID: 28194519 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-017-3558-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The partitioning of the electromechanical delay by an electromyographic (EMG), mechanomyographic (MMG) and force combined approach can provide further insight into the electrochemical and mechanical processes involved with skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation. The aim of the study was to monitor by this combined approach the changes in delays' electrochemical and mechanical components throughout a fatiguing task and during recovery in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), who present at the skeletal muscle level fibres rearrangement, muscle weakness and myotonia, especially in the distal muscles. METHODS After assessing maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), 14 male patients with DM1 and 14 healthy controls (HC) performed a fatiguing exercise at 50% MVC until exhaustion. EMG, MMG, and force signals were recorded from tibialis anterior and vastus lateralis muscles. The electromechanical delay during contraction (DelayTOT) and relaxation (R-DelayTOT) components, EMG and MMG root mean square (RMS) and mean frequency (MF) were calculated off-line. RESULTS The fatiguing exercise duration was similar in both groups. In patients with DM1, delays components were significantly longer compared to HC, especially in the distal muscle during relaxation. Delays components recovered quickly from the fatiguing exercise in HC than in patients with DM1 in both muscles. CONCLUSIONS The alterations in delays observed in DM1 during the fatiguing exercise may indicate that also the lengthening of the electrochemical and mechanical processes during contraction and relaxation could play a role in explaining exercise intolerance in this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,IRCCS Fondazione don Gnocchi, Centro di Medicina dello Sport, via Capecelatro 66, 20148, Milan, Italy.
| | - Emiliano Cè
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Monti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Limonta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Fossati
- IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Piazza Malan 2, 20097, San Donato Milanese (MI), Italy
| | - Giovanni Meola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Piazza Malan 2, 20097, San Donato Milanese (MI), Italy
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35
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Correlation between stiffness and electromechanical delay components during muscle contraction and relaxation before and after static stretching. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2017; 33:83-93. [PMID: 28232285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The study was aimed at assessing possible correlations of the electromechanical delay components during muscle contraction (DelayTOT) and relaxation (R-DelayTOT), with muscle-tendon unit (MTU), muscle, and tendon stiffness before and after static stretching (SS). Plantarflexor muscles' maximum voluntary torque (Tmax) was measured in 18 male participants (age 24±3yrs; body mass 76.4±8.9kg; stature 1.78±0.09m; mean±SD). During Tmax, surface electromyogram (EMG), mechanomyogram, and force signals were detected. DelayTOT and R-DelayTOT with their electrochemical and mechanical components were calculated. Passive torque and myotendinous junction displacement were assessed at 0°, 10° and 20° of dorsiflexion to determine MTU, muscle and tendon stiffness. The same protocol was repeated after SS. DelayTOT, R-DelayTOT and their mainly mechanical components correlated with MTU, muscle and tendon stiffness, both before (R2 from 0.562 to 0.894; p<0.001) and after SS (R2 from 0.726 to 0.955; p<0.001). SS decreased Tmax (-14%; p<0.001) and lengthened almost all the DelayTOT and R-DelayTOT components (from +5.9% to +30.5%; p<0.05). Correlations were found only between stiffness and the mechanical components of DelayTOT and R-DelayTOT. Correlations persisted after SS but delays increased to a higher extent than stiffness, indicating a complexity of the relationship between stiffness and delays that will be discussed in the manuscript.
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36
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Kümmel J, Kramer A, Cronin NJ, Gruber M. Postactivation potentiation can counteract declines in force and power that occur after stretching. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2016; 27:1750-1760. [PMID: 27935646 DOI: 10.1111/sms.12817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Stretching can decrease a muscle's maximal force, whereas short but intense muscle contractions can increase it. We hypothesized that when combined, postactivation potentiation induced by reactive jumps would counteract stretch-induced decrements in drop jump (DJ) performance. Moreover, we measured changes in muscle twitch forces and ankle joint stiffness (KAnkle ) to examine underlying mechanisms. Twenty subjects completed three DJs and 10 electrically evoked muscle twitches of the triceps surae subsequent to four different conditioning activities and control. The conditioning activities were 10 hops, 20s of static stretching of the triceps surae muscle, 20s of stretching followed by 10 hops, and vice versa. After 10 hops, twitch peak torque (TPT) was 20% and jump height 5% higher compared with control with no differences in KAnkle . After stretching, TPT and jump height were both 9% and KAnkle 6% lower. When hops and stretching were combined as conditioning activities, jump height was not different compared with control but significantly higher (11% and 8%) compared with stretching. TPTs were 16% higher compared with control when the hops were performed after stretching and 9% higher compared with the reverse order. KAnkle was significantly lower when stretching was performed after the hops (6%) compared with control, but no significant difference was observed when hops were performed after stretching. These results demonstrate that conditioning hops can counteract stretch-related declines in DJ performance. Furthermore, the differences in TPTs and KAnkle between combined conditioning protocols indicate that the order of conditioning tasks might play an important role at the muscle-tendon level.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kümmel
- Sensorimotor Performance Lab, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - A Kramer
- Sensorimotor Performance Lab, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - N J Cronin
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - M Gruber
- Sensorimotor Performance Lab, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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37
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Cè E, Rampichini S, Monti E, Venturelli M, Limonta E, Esposito F. Changes in the electromechanical delay components during a fatiguing stimulation in human skeletal muscle: an EMG, MMG and force combined approach. Eur J Appl Physiol 2016; 117:95-107. [PMID: 27858153 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-016-3502-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Peripheral fatigue involves electrochemical and mechanical mechanisms. An electromyographic, mechanomyographic and force combined approach may permit a kinetic evaluation of the changes at the synaptic, skeletal muscle fiber, and muscle-tendon unit level during a fatiguing stimulation. METHODS Surface electromyogram, mechanomyogram, force and stimulation current were detected from the gastrocnemius medialis muscle in twenty male participants during a fatiguing stimulation (twelve blocks of 35 Hz stimulations, duty cycle 9 s on/1 s off, duration 120 s). The total electromechanical delay and its three components (between stimulation current and electromyogram, synaptic component; between electromyogram and mechanomyogram signal onset, muscle fiber electrochemical component, and between mechanomyogram and force signal onset, mechanical component) were calculated. Interday reliability and sensitivity were determined. RESULTS After fatigue, peak force decreased by 48% (P < 0.05) and the total electromechanical delay and its synaptic, electrochemical and mechanical components lengthened from 25.8 ± 0.9, 1.47 ± 0.04, 11.2 ± 0.6, and 13.1 ± 1.3 ms to 29.0 ± 1.6, 1.56 ± 0.05, 12.4 ± 0.9, and 17.2 ± 0.6 ms, respectively (P < 0.05). During fatigue, the total electromechanical delay and the mechanical component increased significantly after the 40th second, and then remained stable. The synaptic and electrochemical components lengthened significantly after the 20th and 30th second, respectively. Interday reliability was high to very high, with an adequate level of sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS The kinetic evaluation of the delays during the fatiguing stimulation highlighted different onsets and kinetics, with the events at synaptic level being the first to reveal a significant elongation, followed by those at the intra-fiber level. The mechanical events, which were the most affected by fatigue, were the last to lengthen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Cè
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Monti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Venturelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Limonta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Downey RJ, Merad M, Gonzalez EJ, Dixon WE. The Time-Varying Nature of Electromechanical Delay and Muscle Control Effectiveness in Response to Stimulation-Induced Fatigue. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2016; 25:1397-1408. [PMID: 27845664 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2016.2626471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) are commonly prescribed rehabilitative therapies. Closed-loop NMES holds the promise to yield more accurate limb control, which could enable new rehabilitative procedures. However, NMES/FES can rapidly fatigue muscle, which limits potential treatments and presents several control challenges. Specifically, the stimulation intensity-force relation changes as the muscle fatigues. Additionally, the delayed response between the application of stimulation and muscle force production, termed electromechanical delay (EMD), may increase with fatigue. This paper quantifies these effects. Specifically, open-loop fatiguing protocols were applied to the quadriceps femoris muscle group of able-bodied individuals under isometric conditions, and the resulting torque was recorded. Short pulse trains were used to measure EMD with a thresholding method while long duration pulse trains were used to induce fatigue, measure EMD with a cross-correlation method, and construct recruitment curves. EMD was found to increase significantly with fatigue, and the control effectiveness (i.e., the linear slope of the recruitment curve) decreased with fatigue. Outcomes of these experiments indicate an opportunity for improved closed-loop NMES/FES control development by considering EMD to be time-varying and by considering the muscle recruitment curve to be a nonlinear, time-varying function of the stimulation input.
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Begovic H, Zhou GQ, Schuster S, Zheng YP. The neuromotor effects of transverse friction massage. MANUAL THERAPY 2016; 26:70-76. [PMID: 27497646 DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Revised: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transverse friction massage (TFM), as an often used technique by therapists, is known for its effect in reducing the pain and loosing the scar tissues. Nevertheless, its effects on neuromotor driving mechanism including the electromechanical delay (EMD), force transmission and excitation-contraction (EC) coupling which could be used as markers of stiffness changes, has not been computed using ultrafast ultrasound (US) when combined with external sensors. AIM Hence, the aim of this study was to find out produced neuromotor changes associated to stiffness when TFM was applied over Quadriceps femoris (QF) tendon in healthy subjcets. METHODS Fourteen healthy males and fifteen age-gender matched controls were recruited. Surface EMG (sEMG), ultrafast US and Force sensors were synchronized and signals were analyzed to depict the time delays corresponding to EC coupling, force transmission, EMD, torque and rate of force development (RFD). RESULTS TFM has been found to increase the time corresponding to EC coupling and EMD, whilst, reducing the time belonging to force transmission during the voluntary muscle contractions. CONCLUSIONS A detection of the increased time of EC coupling from muscle itself would suggest that TFM applied over the tendon shows an influence on changing the neuro-motor driving mechanism possibly via afferent pathways and therefore decreasing the active muscle stiffness. On the other hand, detection of decreased time belonging to force transmission during voluntary contraction would suggest that TFM increases the stiffness of tendon, caused by faster force transmission along non-contractile elements. Torque and RFD have not been influenced by TFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Begovic
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China.
| | - Guang-Quan Zhou
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China.
| | - Snježana Schuster
- University of Applied Health Science, Mlinarska Street 38, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Yong-Ping Zheng
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China.
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Effects of a 12-week neck muscles training on muscle function and perceived level of muscle soreness in amateur rugby players. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-016-0314-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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41
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Longo S, Devoto M, Monti E, Venturelli M, Limonta E, Rampichini S, Bisconti AV, Esposito F, Cè E. Acute effects of static stretching on skeletal muscle relaxation at different ankle joint angles. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-016-0309-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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42
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Electromechanical delay components during skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1. Neuromuscul Disord 2016; 26:60-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Influence of acute passive stretching on the oxygen uptake vs work rate slope during an incremental cycle test. Eur J Appl Physiol 2015; 115:2583-92. [PMID: 26433598 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-015-3273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of acute passive stretching on O2 uptake (VO2) vs work rate slope during a continuous incremental ramp exercise. METHODS On two different occasions, eight participants (age 23 ± 3 years; stature 1.71 ± 0.10 m; body mass 68 ± 8 kg; mean ± SD) performed two maximum incremental ramp tests on a cycle ergometer (25 W/min), with and without pre-exercise stretching. During tests, we measured VO2 and other metabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters on a breath-by-breath basis. The VO2 vs work rate slopes were calculated below (S 1) and above (S 2) the first ventilatory threshold (VET1). RESULTS With stretching: (1) peak VO2 did not change, while peak work rate decreased (P < 0.05, ES = -0.41; CI -1.40/-0.58); (2) in spite of a similar S 1, S 2 was steeper by about 11 % (P < 0.05; ES = 0.62; CI -0.38/-1.62). CONCLUSIONS Stretching reduced peak work rate and altered the [Formula: see text] vs work rate relationship above VET1 (S 2), without affecting peak VO2. The present findings have practical implications, questioning the use of stretching manoeuvres especially when peak work rate plays a key role in exercise performance.
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Chang YJ, Kulig K. The neuromechanical adaptations to Achilles tendinosis. J Physiol 2015; 593:3373-87. [PMID: 26046962 DOI: 10.1113/jp270220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Achilles tendinosis is a localized degenerative musculoskeletal disorder that develops over a long period of time and leads to a compliant human Achilles tendon. We demonstrate that the compliant Achilles tendon elicited a series of adaptations from different levels of the human movement control system, such as the muscle-tendon interaction, CNS control and other muscles in the lower leg. These results illustrate the human body's capacity to adapt to tendon pathology and provide the physiological basis for intervention or prevention strategies. Human movement is initiated, controlled and executed in a hierarchical system including the nervous system, muscle and tendon. If a component in the loop loses its integrity, the entire system has to adapt to that deficiency. Achilles tendon, when degenerated, exhibits lower stiffness. This local mechanical deficit may be compensated for by an alteration of motor commands from the CNS. These modulations in motor commands from the CNS may lead to altered activation of the agonist, synergist and antagonist muscles. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of tendon degeneration on its mechanical properties, the neuromechanical behaviour of the surrounding musculature and the existence of the CNS modulation accompanying tendinosis. We hypothesize that the degenerated tendon will lead to diminished tissue mechanical properties and protective muscle activation patterns, as well as an up-regulated descending drive from the CNS. Strong evidence, as reported in the present study, indicates that tendinotic tendons are more compliant compared to healthy tendons. This unilateral involvement affected the neuromuscular control on the involved side but not the non-involved side. The muscle-tendon unit on the tendinotic side exhibits a lowered temporal efficiency, which leads to altered CNS control. The altered CNS control is then expressed as an adapted muscle activation pattern in the lower leg. Taken together, the findings of the present study illustrate the co-ordinated multi-level adaptations to a mechanical lesion in a tendon caused by pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jen Chang
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kornelia Kulig
- Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Stretch-induced changes in tension generation process and stiffness are not accompanied by alterations in muscle architecture of the middle and distal portions of the two gastrocnemii. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2015; 25:469-78. [PMID: 25817316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the stretch-induced changes in muscle architecture in different portions of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) muscles. The reliability and sensitivity of the measurements were also assessed. Fascicle length (FL) and pennation angle (PA) were calculated in the middle and distal portions of GM and GL at 0°, 10° and 20° of ankle dorsiflexion. At the same angles, passive torque (Tpass), peak torque (pT) and myotendinous junction displacement of GM were determined. Stiffness was calculated at muscle-tendon unit (MTU), muscle and tendon level. After static stretching administration, Tpass, pT and MTU stiffness decreased by 22%, 12% and 16%, respectively (p<0.05). Muscle and tendon stiffness decreased by 15% and 16% (p<0.05). Nevertheless, no changes in FL and PA occurred. The reliability of the approach was always very high (intraclass correlation coefficient>0.90), with an adequate level of sensitivity. pT after static stretching was related to decreases in MTU, muscle and tendon stiffness, but not to alterations in muscle architecture.
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46
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Novel insights into skeletal muscle function by mechanomyography: from the laboratory to the field. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-015-0219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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47
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Begovic H, Zhou GQ, Li T, Wang Y, Zheng YP. Detection of the electromechanical delay and its components during voluntary isometric contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Front Physiol 2014; 5:494. [PMID: 25566091 PMCID: PMC4274888 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electromechanical delay (EMD) was described as a time elapsed between first trigger and force output. Various results have been reported based on the measurement method with observed inconsistent results when the trigger is elicited by voluntary contraction. However, mechanomyographic (MMG) sensor placed far away on the skin from the contracting muscle was used to detect muscle fiber motion and excitation-contraction (EC) coupling which may give unreliable results. On this basis, the purpose of this study was to detect EMD during active muscle contraction whilst introducing an ultrafast ultrasound (US) method to detect muscle fiber motion from a certain depth of the muscle. Time delays between onsets of EMG-MMG, EMG-US, MMG-FORCE, US-FORCE, and EMG-FORCE were calculated as 20.5 ± 4.73, 28.63 ± 6.31, 19.21 ± 6.79, 30.52 ± 8.85, and 49.73 ± 6.99 ms, respectively. Intrarater correlation coefficient (ICC) was higher than MMG when ultrafast US was used for detecton of the Δt EMG-US and Δt US-FORCE, ICC values of 0.75 and 0.70, respectively. Synchronization of the ultrafast ultrasound with EMG and FORCE sensors can reveal reliable and clinically useful results related to the EMD and its components when muscle is voluntarily contracted. With ultrafast US, we detect onset from the certain depth of the muscle excluding the tissues above the muscle acting as a low-pass filter which can lead to inaccurate time detection about the onset of the contracting muscle fibers. With this non-invasive technique, understanding of the muscle dynamics can be facilitated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Begovic
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, China
| | - Guang-Quan Zhou
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, China
| | - Tianjie Li
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, China
| | - Yong-Ping Zheng
- Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, China
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Krueger E, Scheeren EM, Nogueira-Neto GN, Button VLDSN, Nohama P. Advances and perspectives of mechanomyography. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1590/1517-3151.0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eddy Krueger
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Percy Nohama
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR, Brasil; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná - PUCPR, Brasil; Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Brasil
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49
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Longo S, Cè E, Rampichini S, Devoto M, Limonta E, Esposito F. Mechanomyogram amplitude correlates with human gastrocnemius medialis muscle and tendon stiffness both before and after acute passive stretching. Exp Physiol 2014; 99:1359-69. [DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2014.080366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Longo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS); University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Emiliano Cè
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS); University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Susanna Rampichini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS); University of Milan; Milan Italy
- Center of Sport Medicine; Don Gnocchi Foundation; Milan Italy
| | - Michela Devoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS); University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Eloisa Limonta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS); University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Fabio Esposito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health (SCIBIS); University of Milan; Milan Italy
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Lavagnino M, Bedi A, Walsh CP, Sibilsky Enselman ER, Sheibani-Rad S, Arnoczky SP. Tendon Contraction After Cyclic Elongation Is an Age-Dependent Phenomenon: In Vitro and In Vivo Comparisons. Am J Sports Med 2014; 42:1471-7. [PMID: 24668873 DOI: 10.1177/0363546514526691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tendons are viscoelastic tissues that deform (elongate) in response to cyclic loading. However, the ability of a tendon to recover this elongation is unknown. HYPOTHESIS Tendon length significantly increases after in vivo or in vitro cyclic loading, and the ability to return to its original length through a cell-mediated contraction mechanism is an age-dependent phenomenon. STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS In vitro, rat tail tendon fascicles (RTTfs) from Sprague-Dawley rats of 3 age groups (1, 3, and 12 months) underwent 2% cyclic strain at 0.17 Hz for 2 hours, and the percentages of elongation were determined. After loading, the RTTfs were suspended for 3 days under tissue culture conditions and photographed daily to determine the amount of length contraction. In vivo, healthy male participants (n = 29; age, 19-49 years) had lateral, single-legged weightbearing radiographs taken of the knee at 60° of flexion immediately before, immediately after, and 24 hours after completing eccentric quadriceps loading exercises on the dominant leg to fatigue. Measurements of patellar tendon length were taken from the radiographs, and the percentages of tendon elongation and subsequent contraction were calculated. RESULTS In vitro, cyclic loading increased the length of all RTTfs, with specimens from younger (1 and 3 months) rats demonstrating significantly greater elongation than those from older (12 months) rats (P = .009). The RTTfs contracted to their original length significantly faster (P < .001) and in an age-dependent fashion, with younger animals contracting faster. In vivo, repetitive eccentric loading exercises significantly increased patellar tendon length (P < .001). Patellar tendon length decreased 24 hours after exercises (P < .001) but did not recover completely (P < .001). There was a weak but significant (R (2) = 0.203, P = .014) linear correlation between the amount of tendon contraction and age, with younger participants (<30 years) demonstrating significantly more contraction (P = .014) at 24 hours than older participants (>30 years). CONCLUSION Cyclic tendon loading results in a significant increase in tendon elongation under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Tendons in both conditions demonstrated an incomplete return to their original length after 24 hours, and the extent of this return was age dependent. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The age- and time-dependent contraction of tendons, elongated after repetitive loading, could result in transient alterations in the mechanobiological environment of tendon cells. This, in turn, could induce the onset of catabolic changes associated with the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. These results suggest the importance of allowing time for contraction between bouts of repetitive exercise and may explain why age is a predisposing factor in tendinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lavagnino
- Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Asheesh Bedi
- MedSport, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Shahin Sheibani-Rad
- Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Steven P Arnoczky
- Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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