Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing

Zbigniew Borysiuk,Monika Błaszczyszyn,Katarzyna Piechota,Wojciech J Cynarski

doi:10.3390/app12052430

Zbigniew Borysiuk, Monika Błaszczyszyn + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052430

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the correct movement patterns of fencing techniques in wheelchair fencers. Through a comprehensive analysis, the key muscles in the kinematic chain exposed to potential injuries were identified. The study participants were 16 wheelchair fencers, divided into two groups representing two categories of disability: Group A (N = 7) comprising fencers with mild paraplegia, having freedom of movement of the trunk and arms; and Group B (N = 9) comprising fencers with a spinal cord injury and partial paresis of the arms. EMG and an accelerometer were used as the main research tools. The EMG electrodes were placed on the muscles of the sword arm as well as on the left and right sides of the abdomen and torso. The EMG signal was transformed using wavelet analysis, and the muscle activation time and co-activation index (CI) were determined. In Group A fencers, first the back and abdominal muscles were activated, while in Group B, it was the deltoid muscle. The wavelet coherence analysis revealed intermuscular synchronization at 8–20 Hz for Group A fencers and at 5–15 Hz for Group B fencers. In Group A fencers, the co-activation index was 50.94 for the right-side back and abdominal muscles, 50.75 for the ECR-FCR, and 47.99 for the TRI-BC pairs of upper limb muscles. In contrast, Group B fencers demonstrated higher CI values (50.54) only for the postural left-side muscle pairs. Many overload injuries of the shoulder girdle, elbow, postural muscles, spine, and neck have been found to be preventable through modification of current training programs dominated by specialist exercises. Modern wheelchair fencing training should involve neuromuscular coordination and psychomotor exercises. This will facilitate the individualization of training depending on the fencer’s degree of disability and training experience.

Highlights

Wheelchair fencing remains one of the most injury-prone Paralympic disciplines
The results of this study show that in Paralympic wheelchair fencers, muscle activation occurs at low frequency levels, regardless of disability category
It was demonstrated that fencers in Group A activated first the muscles of the back (LD RT and LD LT) and the deltoid muscle (DEL RT), the external abdominal oblique muscle (EAO RT), the forearm muscles (ECR RT), and the triceps brachii extensor (TRI RT)

Summary

Introduction

Wheelchair fencing remains one of the most injury-prone Paralympic disciplines. A report following the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro concluded that wheelchair fencers ranked second in the number of injuries among 22 disciplines [1]. Fencers with disabilities fight with their dominant arm, seated in wheelchairs attached permanently to special platforms [3]. Their upper limbs are not involved in the movement of the wheelchair as in, for example, rugby, basketball, or tennis for the disabled [4]. Based on the report of the International Paralympic Committee published in Human Kinetics Journals [6,7] after the London 2012 Paralympic Games, 15.8% of wheelchair fencers’ injuries were injuries to the shoulder and 32.6% to the elbow. More serious injuries such as fractures and dislocations were reported [8,9]

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