Abstract
The present study estimated muscle activation from electromyographic (EMG) recordings in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) during cycling on an ergometer. This could be used as an input to the modeling of muscle force following the neuromusculoskeletal modeling technique which can help to understand the alterations in neuromotor processes underlying disabilities in CP. EMG signals of lower extremity muscle activity from 14 adult patients with CP and 10 adult healthy participants were used here to derive muscle activation. With a self developed EMG system, signals from the following muscles were recorded: Musculus tibialis anterior, Musculus gastrocnemius, Musculus rectus femoris, and Musculus biceps femoris. Collected EMG signals were mathematically transformed into muscle activation following a parameter dependent and a nonlinear transformation. Muscle activation values from patients with CP were compared to equivalent reference values obtained from healthy controls. Muscle activation calculated at specific foot positions deviated clearly from reference values. The deviation was larger for patients with higher degree of spasticity. Observations underline the need of muscle force modeling during cycling for individualized cycling training for rehabilitation strategy.
Highlights
An exact description of the way deficient neuronal activity leads to motor impairments and deficient sensorimotor integration in cerebral palsy (CP) is still missing
EMG signals collected for a previous study [15] were used here to derive muscle activation during cycling exercise on an ergometer
A set of four reflectors fixed to the wheel of the ergometer together with a distance sensor attached to the pedal were used to determine the crank angle during cycling
Summary
An exact description of the way deficient neuronal activity leads to motor impairments and deficient sensorimotor integration in cerebral palsy (CP) is still missing. CP has its origin in damage during early brain development. Depending on the extent of the brain damage, motor limitations can range from a slightly limited ability to walk to a permanent dependence of a wheelchair to move. Muscular imbalances in CP, together with increased spastic muscle tone, lead to severe contractures and joint deformities [1]. Injury to cerebral motor cortex in CP affects the neuronal input to corticospinal and reticulospinal tracts, and affects the input of motor neurons to muscle fibers they innervate [2,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
