Force-Temporal Characteristics of EEG-EMG Coherence during Isometric Contraction of Lateral Head of Gastrocnemius Muscle.

Abstract

Coherence between an electroencephalogram (EEG) and an electromyogram (EMG) of the soleus (SOL) muscle during an isometric contraction is observed in the beta-band (15 to 35 Hz) regardless of the contraction force. However, the dynamics on how a variation in coherence occurs over time in the head of the gastrocnemius (GLH) muscle, which is also known to have the same role as the soleus muscle, have yet to be considered. In this study, we focused on GLH and measured an EEG and EMG taken of the GLH muscle when executing an isometric contraction through the dorsiflexion of the right ankle joint for a 1-min period. Moreover, we investigated changes in the EEG-EMG coherence based on the contraction force and elapsed time. As a result, in most subjects, the peak coherence during a weak contraction force was continuously observed in the β-band, whereas the peak coherence during a strong contraction force was observed in the γ-band (35 to 60 Hz) for only the first 12 s. In addition, no significant coherence was observed. Therefore, it was suggested that muscle fatigue induced by a strong contraction force affects the peak coherence. Meanwhile, the inconsistencies observed between the properties of the peak coherence and SOL might be due to the differences in muscle composition.