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Fazzari C, Macchi R, Kunimasa Y, Ressam C, Casanova R, Chavet P, Nicol C. Muscle synergies inherent in simulated hypogravity running reveal flexible but not unconstrained locomotor control. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2707. [PMID: 38302569 PMCID: PMC10834966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50076-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
With human space exploration back in the spotlight, recent studies have investigated the neuromuscular adjustments to simulated hypogravity running. They have examined the activity of individual muscles, whereas the central nervous system may rather activate groups of functionally related muscles, known as muscle synergies. To understand how locomotor control adjusts to simulated hypogravity, we examined the temporal (motor primitives) and spatial (motor modules) components of muscle synergies in participants running sequentially at 100%, 60%, and 100% body weight on a treadmill. Our results highlighted the paradoxical nature of simulated hypogravity running: The reduced mechanical constraints allowed for a more flexible locomotor control, which correlated with the degree of spatiotemporal adjustments. Yet, the increased temporal (shortened stance phase) and sensory (deteriorated proprioceptive feedback) constraints required wider motor primitives and a higher contribution of the hamstring muscles during the stance phase. These results are a first step towards improving astronaut training protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robin Macchi
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
- French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), Paris, France
| | | | - Camélia Ressam
- NeuroSpin, UMR CEA/CNRS 9027, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Keime M, Chomienne L, Goulon C, Sainton P, Lapole T, Casanova R, Bossard M, Nicol C, Martha C, Bolmont B, Hays A, Vercruyssen F, Chavet P, Bringoux L. How about running on Mars? Influence of sensorimotor coherence on running and spatial perception in simulated reduced gravity. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1201253. [PMID: 37601641 PMCID: PMC10433163 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1201253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor control, including locomotion, strongly depends on the gravitational field. Recent developments such as lower-body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPT) have enabled studies on Earth about the effects of reduced body weight (BW) on walking and running, up to 60% BW. The present experiment was set up to further investigate adaptations to a more naturalistic simulated hypogravity, mimicking a Martian environment with additional visual information during running sessions on LBPPT. Twenty-nine participants performed three sessions of four successive five-min runs at preferred speed, alternating Earth- or simulated Mars-like gravity (100% vs. 38% BW). They were displayed visual scenes using a virtual reality headset to assess the effects of coherent visual flow while running. Running performance was characterized by normal ground reaction force and pelvic accelerations. The perceived upright and vection (visually-induced self-motion sensation)in dynamic visual environments were also investigated at the end of the different sessions. We found that BW reduction induced biomechanical adaptations independently of the visual context. Active peak force and stance time decreased, while flight time increased. Strong inter-individual differences in braking and push-off times appeared at 38% BW, which were not systematically observed in our previous studies at 80% and 60% BW. Additionally, the importance given to dynamic visual cues in the perceived upright diminished at 38% BW, suggesting an increased reliance on the egocentric body axis as a reference for verticality when the visual context is fully coherent with the previous locomotor activity. Also, while vection was found to decrease in case of a coherent visuomotor coupling at 100% BW (i.e., post-exposure influence), it remained unaffected by the visual context at 38% BW. Overall, our findings suggested that locomotor and perceptual adaptations were not similarly impacted, depending on the -simulated- gravity condition and visual context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Keime
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
- École Centrale Marseille, Marseille, France
- KTH, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Cédric Goulon
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Thomas Lapole
- Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, Lyon 1, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Rémy Casanova
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Bossard
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
- University Gustave Eiffel, COSYS-PICS-L, Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | | | - Cécile Martha
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Arnaud Hays
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
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Fazzari C, Macchi R, Ressam C, Kunimasa Y, Nicol C, Martha C, Bolmont B, Sainton P, Hays A, Vercruyssen F, Lapole T, Bossard M, Casanova R, Bringoux L, Chavet P. Neuromuscular adjustments to unweighted running: the increase in hamstring activity is sensitive to trait anxiety. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1212198. [PMID: 37334048 PMCID: PMC10272775 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1212198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Originally developed for astronauts, lower body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPTs) are increasingly being used in sports and clinical settings because they allow for unweighted running. However, the neuromuscular adjustments to unweighted running remain understudied. They would be limited for certain lower limb muscles and interindividually variable. This study investigated whether this might be related to familiarization and/or trait anxiety. Methods: Forty healthy male runners were divided into two equal groups with contrasting levels of trait anxiety (high, ANX+, n = 20 vs. low, ANX-, n = 20). They completed two 9-min runs on a LBPPT. Each included three consecutive 3-min conditions performed at 100%, 60% (unweighted running), and 100% body weight. Normal ground reaction force and electromyographic activity of 11 ipsilateral lower limb muscles were analyzed for the last 30 s of each condition in both runs. Results: Unweighted running showed muscle- and stretch-shortening cycle phase-dependent neuromuscular adjustments that were repeatable across both runs. Importantly, hamstring (BF, biceps femoris; STSM, semitendinosus/semimembranosus) muscle activity increased during the braking (BF: +44 ± 18%, p < 0.001) and push-off (BF: +49 ± 12% and STSM: +123 ± 14%, p < 0.001 for both) phases, and even more so for ANX+ than for ANX-. During the braking phase, only ANX+ showed significant increases in BF (+41 ± 15%, p < 0.001) and STSM (+53 ± 27%, p < 0.001) activities. During the push-off phase, ANX+ showed a more than twofold increase in STSM activity compared to ANX- (+119 ± 10% vs. +48 ± 27, p < 0.001 for both). Conclusion: The increase in hamstring activity during the braking and push-off phases may have accelerated the subsequent swing of the free-leg, likely counteracting the unweighting-induced slowing of stride frequency. This was even more pronounced in ANX+ than in ANX-, in an increased attempt not to deviate from their preferred running pattern. These results highlight the importance of individualizing LBPPT training and rehabilitation protocols, with particular attention to individuals with weak or injured hamstrings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robin Macchi
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
- French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), Paris, France
| | | | - Yoko Kunimasa
- Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | | | - Cécile Martha
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Arnaud Hays
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Thomas Lapole
- Université Jean Monnet, Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, LIBM, St-Etienne, France
| | - Martin Bossard
- Université Gustave Eiffel, COSYS-PICS-L, F-77454 Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | - Rémy Casanova
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
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Kataoka Y, Takeda R, Tadano S, Ishida T, Saito Y, Osuka S, Samukawa M, Tohyama H. Analysis of 3-D Kinematics Using H-Gait System during Walking on a Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21082619. [PMID: 33917951 PMCID: PMC8068341 DOI: 10.3390/s21082619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recently, treadmills equipped with a lower-body positive-pressure (LBPP) device have been developed to provide precise body weight support (BWS) during walking. Since lower limbs are covered in a waist-high chamber of an LBPP treadmill, a conventional motion analysis using an optical method is impossible to evaluate gait kinematics on LBPP. We have developed a wearable-sensor-based three-dimensional motion analysis system, H-Gait. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of BWS by a LBPP treadmill on gait kinematics using an H-Gait system. Twenty-five healthy subjects walked at 2.5 km/h on a LBPP treadmill under the following three conditions: (1) 0%BWS, (2) 25%BWS and (3) 50%BWS conditions. Acceleration and angular velocity from seven wearable sensors were used to analyze lower limb kinematics during walking. BWS significantly decreased peak angles of hip adduction, knee adduction and ankle dorsiflexion. In particular, the peak knee adduction angle at the 50%BWS significantly decreased compared to at the 25%BWS (p = 0.012) or 0%BWS (p < 0.001). The present study showed that H-Gait system can detect the changes in gait kinematics in response to BWS by a LBPP treadmill and provided a useful clinical application of the H-Gait system to walking exercises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Kataoka
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.I.); (Y.S.); (S.O.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
- Department of Rehabilitation, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido Hospital, Sapporo 002-8072, Japan
| | - Ryo Takeda
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-11-706-6416
| | - Shigeru Tadano
- National Institute of Technology, Hakodate College, Hakodate 042-8501, Japan;
| | - Tomoya Ishida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.I.); (Y.S.); (S.O.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Yuki Saito
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.I.); (Y.S.); (S.O.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Satoshi Osuka
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.I.); (Y.S.); (S.O.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Mina Samukawa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.I.); (Y.S.); (S.O.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
| | - Harukazu Tohyama
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.I.); (Y.S.); (S.O.); (M.S.); (H.T.)
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Kataoka Y, Shimizu T, Takeda R, Tadano S, Saito Y, Osuka S, Ishida T, Samukawa M, Irie T, Takahashi D, Iwasaki N, Tohyama H. Effects of unweighting on gait kinematics during walking on a lower-body positive-pressure treadmill in patients with hip osteoarthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021; 22:46. [PMID: 33419416 PMCID: PMC7792168 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-020-03909-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal condition that makes walking difficult due to pain induced by weight-bearing activities. Treadmills that support the body weight (BW) reduce the load on the lower limbs, and those equipped with a lower-body positive-pressure (LBPP) device, developed as a new method for unweighting, significantly reduce pain in patients with knee OA. However, the effects of unweighting on gait kinematics remain unclear in patients with hip OA. Therefore, we investigated the effects of unweighting on kinematics in patients with hip OA during walking on a treadmill equipped with an LBPP device. Methods A total of 15 women with hip OA and 15 age-matched female controls wore a three-dimensional (3-D) motion analysis system and walked at a self-selected speed on the LBPP treadmill. Data regarding self-reported hip pain using a numeric rating scale (NRS) in which the scores 0 and 10 represented no pain and the worst pain, respectively, under three different BW conditions (100, 75, and 50%) were collected. Moreover, 3-D peak joint angles during gait under each condition were calculated and compared. Results In the hip OA group, the NRS pain scores at 50 and 75% BW conditions significantly decreased compared with that at 100% BW condition (50%, P = 0.002; 75%, P = 0.026), and the peak hip extension angle decreased compared with that in the healthy controls (P = 0.044). In both groups, unweighting significantly decreased the peak hip (P < 0.001) and knee (P < 0.001) flexion angles and increased the peak ankle plantar flexion angle (P < 0.001) during walking. Conclusions Unweighting by the LBPP treadmill decreased pain in the hip OA group but did not drastically alter the gait kinematics compared with that in the control group. Therefore, regarding the use of the LBPP treadmill for patients with hip OA, clinicians should consider the benefits of pain reduction rather than the kinematic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Kataoka
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.,Department of Rehabilitation, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido Hospital, 2-5 Ainosato, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 002-8072, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Shimizu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Ryo Takeda
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Shigeru Tadano
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Yuki Saito
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Satoshi Osuka
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Tomoya Ishida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Mina Samukawa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Tohru Irie
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Daisuke Takahashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Norimasa Iwasaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Harukazu Tohyama
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
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Whiteley R, Hansen C, Thomson A, Sideris V, Wilson MG. Lower limb EMG activation during reduced gravity running on an incline. Speed matters more than hills irrespective of indicated bodyweight. Gait Posture 2021; 83:52-59. [PMID: 33075719 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progressive loading of the lower limb muscles during running on a positive pressure or reduced gravity (Alter-G™) treadmill is suggested as a rehabilitation strategy after muscle and tendon injury but the influence of running up or downhill and at higher speeds is not known, nor are the interaction effects of speed, inclination, and indicated bodyweight. RESEARCH QUESTION What are the lower limb EMG activation levels and cadence when running up and downhill in normal and reduced gravity? METHODS 10 recreationally active male athletes ran on a positive-pressure Alter-G™ treadmill at: 3 indicated bodyweights (60 %, 80 %, and 100 %); 5 speeds (12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 km/h); for incline, decline, and flat conditions (-15 %, -10 %, -5%, 0%, 5%, 10 %, and 15 %); while monitoring the surface EMG of 11 leg muscles as well as cadence (strides per minute). RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE Linear mixed models showed significant effect of running speed, inclination, and indicated bodyweight, with interaction effects observed. Increasing running speed was associated with the largest change in activity, with smaller effects for increasing bodyweight and inclination. Downhill running was associated with reduced activity in all muscle groups, and more tightly clustered activity patterns independent of speed. Substantial variation in sEMG activity occurred in the flat and uphill conditions. Subject responses were quite variable for sEMG, less so for cadence. For the conditions examined, increasing running speed induced the largest changes in EMG of all muscles examined with smaller changes seen for manipulations of inclination and bodyweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rod Whiteley
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Rehabilitation Department, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Clint Hansen
- Neurogeriatrics Kiel, Kiel University, Department of Neurology, UKSH Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Athol Thomson
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Rehabilitation Department, Doha, Qatar
| | - Vasileios Sideris
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Rehabilitation Department, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Rehabilitation Department, Doha, Qatar; Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Correction: Kinetics and Muscle Activity Patterns during Unweighting and Reloading Transition Phases in Running. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176508. [PMID: 28426783 PMCID: PMC5398693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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