Differences In Muscle Activity Research Articles

The Effect of Suspension Exercises on Muscular Activities: A Narrative Review

Suspension exercises are functional exercises that combine closed kinetic chain exercises with an unstable environment as an alternative to traditional strengthening exercises. The specific effects of suspension exercises on muscular activities must be better understood. Therefore, this review aimed to compare the activities of different muscles in suspension exercises with their traditional counterparts. For this purpose, a search was conducted using the Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library databases in August 2022. Studies investigating the effect of suspension exercises on muscular activations and comparing them with their conventional counterparts were included in the review. Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. It was observed that suspension exercises increased activation in most muscle groups compared to conventional exercises, while there was no difference in activation in specific muscles. Therefore, it is essential to use a combination of traditional and suspension exercises for optimal performance with individualized planning.

Hemophilic Arthropathy of the Knee and Its Association with Reduced Muscle Strength and Activation and the Pressure Pain Threshold: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: Hemophilia is characterized by recurrent hemarthrosis leading to degenerative arthropathy. The aim was to evaluate the differences in muscle strength and activity and the pressure pain threshold between patients with knee arthropathy and their healthy peers; (2) Methods: A case-control study in which 23 adult patients with knee arthropathy and 24 healthy peers matched in terms of characteristics were recruited. The study variables were quadriceps muscle strength, muscle activation and the pressure pain threshold; (3) Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in quadriceps strength on the dominant (CI95%: 64.69, 129.2) and non-dominant (CI95%: 29.95, 93.55) sides and in the pressure pain threshold on the dominant (CI95%: 3.30, 43.54) and non-dominant (CI95%: 3.09, 45.25) sides. There were differences in neuromuscular fatigue on the non-dominant side in the vastus medialis (CI95%: 8.72, 21.51), vastus lateralis (CI95%: 4.84, 21.66) and rectus femoris (CI95%: 6.48, 24.95) muscles; (4) Conclusions: Muscle strength and the pressure pain threshold are lower in patients with hemophilia. Quadriceps muscle activation in patients with hemophilic knee arthropathy does not in any way differ from activation in healthy subjects. However, muscle fatigue is greater in patients with knee arthropathy. Strength training in patients with hemophilia should focus on the activation of the vastus medialis and lateralis muscles.

Associations between muscle morphology and spasticity in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Due to the heterogeneous clinical presentation of spastic cerebral palsy (SCP), which makes spasticity treatment challenging, more insight into the complex interaction between spasticity and altered muscle morphology is warranted. We studied associations between spasticity and muscle morphology and compared muscle morphology between commonly observed spasticity patterns (i.e. different muscle activation patterns during passive stretches). Spasticity and muscle morphology of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and semitendinosus (ST) were defined in 74 children with SCP (median age 8 years 2 months, GMFCS I/II/III: 31/25/18, bilateral/unilateral: 46/27). Using an instrumented assessment, spasticity was quantified as the difference in muscle activation recorded during passive stretches at low and high velocities and was classified in mixed length-/velocity-dependent or pure velocity-dependent activation patterns. Three-dimensional freehand ultrasound was used to assess muscle morphology (volume and length) and echogenicity intensity (as a proxy for muscle quality). Spearman correlations and Mann-Whitney-U tests defined associations and group differences, respectively. A moderate negative association (r=-0.624, p<0.001) was found between spasticity and MG muscle volume, while other significant associations between spasticity and muscle morphology parameters were weak. Smaller normalized muscle volume (MG p=0.004, ST p=<0.001) and reduced muscle belly length (ST p=0.015) were found in muscles with mixed length-/velocity-dependent patterns compared to muscles with pure velocity-dependent patterns. Higher spasticity levels were associated with smaller MG and ST volumes and shorter MG muscles. These muscle morphology alterations were more pronounced in muscles that activated during low-velocity stretches compared to muscles that only activated during high-velocity stretches.

14 Systemic and local antioxidant status is unaffected by repeated gluteal muscle collections in mature sedentary horses

Repeated skeletal muscle tissue collections are routinely utilized in research settings to determine the effects of various interventions or stressors on the muscle tissue. However, there is limited data on the effects of these muscle collections on the animal, creating difficulty in delineating impacts of interventions from the physiological response to tissue collection. Twenty-five mature, sedentary, stock-type horses (8 geldings, 17 mares; mean ± SD 9.5 ± 3.5 y, 505 ± 52 kg) were used to test the hypothesis that repeated skeletal muscle collections would not impact systemic or local antioxidant status. Horses were stratified by age and sex and randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: gluteus medius samples collected at 1) 0 and 24 h (n = 7); 2) 0 and 6 h (n = 5); 3) 0, 6, and 12 h (n = 7); or 4) 0, 6, 12, and 24 h (n = 6) using a 14-gauge tissue collection needle inserted to a standardized depth of 5 cm. Before collection, the site was aseptically prepared. Approximately 500 mg of tissue was obtained per collection through repeated insertions of the collection needle into the same skin puncture but at different angles. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture from all horses every 6 h for 72 h, starting 24 h before the first muscle collection and extending to 48 h post-initial muscle collection. Throughout the collection period, horses remained group housedon Bahiagrass pastures and were only brought up to stocks for tissue collections. Malondialdehyde concentrations in muscle and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in muscle and whole blood were quantified via colorimetry. Data were analyzed using linear models in SAS v.9.4 with time as a repeated measure and horse as the subject. Time and sex were included as fixed effects. For blood parameters, collection group and the time × group interaction were included as additional fixed effects. Whole blood GPx activity was greater in group 4 horses (0, 6, 12, and 24 h) than horses in groups 1 (0 and 24 h) or 2 (0 and 6 h; P ≤ 0.02) and greater in mares than geldings (P ≤ 0.001). There were no other differences in skeletal muscle or whole blood antioxidant activities or muscle malondialdehyde concentrations over time or between groups of horses. These results suggest that repeated muscle tissue collections do not significantly impact antioxidant status of unstressed mature horses. Importantly, these data support the utility of repeated skeletal muscle collections in future study designs aimed at determining impacts of an array of interventions on skeletal muscle antioxidant status.

탄력밴드를 이용한 고유수용성신경근촉진법의 안정화 운동이 몸통 및 엉덩부위 근 활성도에 미치는 영향

This study attempted to investigate body and hip muscle activities, using resistance band against 12 adult men. For this, one leg-supported pose in bridge position, skater-patterned bridge pose, bird-dog exercise in quadruped position and skater-patterned exercise pose trainings were performed. Specifically, the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of internal abdominal oblique, external abdominal oblique, multifidus, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscle was measured, using surface electromyography (sEMG) after conducting bridge pose and quadrupled exercise, and the results found the followings: In the bridge exercise and quadrupled exercise intervention-based proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), internal abdominal oblique and external abdominal oblique revealed a significant difference in muscle activity (p<0.05). In multifidus, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscle, on the contrary, no significant difference was observed in bridge exercise (p>0.05). In the quadrupled exercise intervention-based PNF, however, a significant difference of muscle activity was found (p<0.05). The above results confirm that a skater pattern which combined the single pattern of the PNF could reduce pain and enhance body stabilization through body balancing if selectively applied to those who are suffering from lumbar pain and difficulty in supporting their body weight due to weak abdominal and hip muscles and anterior pelvic tilt.

Optimal Blood Flow Restriction Occlusion Pressure for Shoulder Muscle Recruitment With Upper Extremity Exercise

Background: As blood flow restriction (BFR) utilization continues to rise, it is crucial to define optimal parameters for use. Currently unknown are the effects of occlusion level during BFR on muscle activity in the proximal shoulder. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare electromyographic amplitude (EMGa) of shoulder musculature during exercise using limb occlusion percentages (LOPs). The authors hypothesized that EMGa would increase concurrently with occlusion. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: α Fifteen healthy adults were recruited and underwent 4 experimental sessions, performing 3 common rotator cuff exercises at low intensity (20% maximal strength) to failure in the following order: cable external rotation (ER), cable internal rotation (IR), and dumbbell scaption. Exercises were completed at a different occlusion pressure (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% LOP— order randomized) applied at the proximal arm. EMGa was recorded from shoulder musculature proximal to the occlusion site and averaged across 5-repetition intervals and overall for the first 30 repetitions. An analysis of variance repeated on occlusion pressure followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test was used to compare EMGa, repetitions to fatigue, and ratings of discomfort (visual analog scale [VAS], 0-10) between occlusion pressures. The type 1 error was set at α = .05 for all analyses. Results: Significant effects of the occlusion level on shoulder muscle EMGa were observed for all exercises (P < .05) with diminishing returns above 50% LOP (overall). For ER, elevations in EMGa were observed at ≥50% LOP for the anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, infraspinatus, and trapezius compared with 0% LOP (P < .05). For IR, elevations in EMGa were observed at ≥25% LOP for the anterior deltoid and trapezius compared with 0% LOP (P < .05). For the teres minor, a significant elevation in EMGa occurred at 75% LOP compared with 0%, 25%, and 50% LOP (P < .05). A decrease in EMGa was observed at ≥50% LOP compared with 0% LOP for the posterior deltoid (P < .05). For scaption, an increase in EMGa was observed at ≥25% LOP for the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles, at 75% LOP for the posterior deltoid, and at ≥50% LOP for the trapezius compared with 0% LOP (P < .05). Decreases in repetitions to failure relative to 0% LOP were observed at 75% LOP for ER (0%: 47 ± 5; 75%: 40 ± 2; P = .034), IR (0%: 82 ± 10; 75%: 64 ± 5; P = .017), and scaption (0%: 85 ± 9; 75%: 64 ± 6; P < .001). A significant linear increase in discomfort was observed for all exercises with increasing occlusion pressures (VAS: 0-10, 0% → 75% LOP; ER: 2.2 ± 0.4 → 7.2 ± 0.3; IR: 1.3 ± 0.2 → 6.1 ± 0.6; scaption: 1.3 ± 0.4 → 6.1 ± 0.4; P < .01). Conclusion: There are several differences in muscle activation about the shoulder based on exercise and occlusion when utilizing BFR. Increasing the percentage of limb occlusion leads to heightened EMGa with diminished returns past 50% LOP when considering muscle activation, discomfort, and achievable exercise volume. Clinical Relevance: These findings may be used to refine upper extremity BFR guidelines.

Objective Evaluation of Laparoscopic Experience Based on Muscle Electromyography and Accelerometry Performing Circular Pattern Cutting Tasks: A Pilot Study.

Purpose.The aim of this work is to present a new physical laparoscopy simulator with an electromyography (EMG)/accelerometry-based muscle activity recording system, EvalLap EMG-ACC, and perform objective evaluation of laparoscopic skills based on the quantification of muscle activity of participants with different levels of laparoscopic experience. Methods. EMG and ACC signals were obtained from 14 participants (6 experts, 8 medical students) performing circular pattern cutting tasks using a laparoscopic box trainer with the Trigno (Delsys Inc, Natick, MA) portable wireless system of 16 wireless sensors. Sensors were placed on the proximal and distal muscles of the upper extremities. Seven evaluation metrics were proposed and compared between skilled and novice surgeons. Results. The proximal and distal arm muscles (trapezius, deltoids, biceps, and forearms) were most active while executing laparoscopic tasks. Laparoscopic experience was associated with differences in EMG amplitude (), muscle activity (), hand acceleration (), user movement (), and muscle fatigue. For the cutting task, the deltoid, bicep, forearm EMG amplitude, and user movement significantly differed between experience groups. Conclusion. This pilot study demonstrates that different muscle groups are preferentially activated during laparoscopic tasks depending on the level of surgical experience. Expert surgeons showed less muscle activity compared with novices. EvalLap EMG-ACC represents a promising means to distinguish surgeons with basic cutting skills from those who have not yet developed these skills.

Exercises With Optimal Scapulothoracic Muscle Activation for Individuals With Paraplegia.

Individuals with paraplegia and coexisting trunk and postural control deficits rely on their upper extremities for function, which increases the risk of shoulder pain. A multifactorial etiology of shoulder pain includes "impingement" of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, long head of the biceps tendons, and/or subacromial bursa resulting from anatomic abnormalities, intratendinous degeneration, and altered scapulothoracic kinematics and muscle activation. Targeting serratus anterior (SA) and lower trapezius (LT) activation during exercise, as part of a comprehensive plan, minimizes impingement risk by maintaining optimal shoulder alignment and kinematics during functional activities. To prevent excessive scapular upward translation, minimizing upper trapezius (UT) to SA and LT activation is also important. To determine which exercises (1) maximally activate SA and minimize UT:SA ratio and (2) maximally activate LT and minimize UT:LT ratio. Kinematic and muscle activation data were captured from 10 individuals with paraplegia during four exercises: "T," scaption (sitting), dynamic hug, and SA punch (supine). Means and ratios were normalized by percent maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for each muscle. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance determined significant differences in muscle activation between exercises. Exercises were rank ordered: (1) maximum SA activation: SA punch, scaption, dynamic hug, "T"; (2) maximum LT activation: "T," scaption, dynamic hug, SA punch; 3) minimum UT:SA ratio: SA punch, dynamic hug, scaption, "T"; and (4) minimum UT:LT ratio: SA punch, dynamic hug, "T," scaption. Exercise elicited statistically significant changes in percent MVIC and ratios. Post hoc analyses revealed multiple significant differences between exercises (p < .05). SA punch produced the greatest SA activation and lowest ratios. Dynamic hug also produced optimal ratios, suggesting supine exercises minimize UT activation more effectively. To isolate SA activation, individuals with impaired trunk control may want to initiate strengthening exercises in supine. Participants maximally activated the LT, but they were not able to minimize UT while upright.

Development of running is not related to time since onset of independent walking, a longitudinal case study.

Children start to run after they master walking. How running develops, however, is largely unknown. We assessed the maturity of running pattern in two very young, typically developing children in a longitudinal design spanning about three years. Leg and trunk 3D kinematics and electromyography collected in six recording sessions, with more than a hundred strides each, entered our analysis. We recorded walking during the first session (the session of the first independent steps of the two toddlers at the age of 11.9 and 10.6 months) and fast walking or running for the subsequent sessions. More than 100 kinematic and neuromuscular parameters were determined for each session and stride. The equivalent data of five young adults served to define mature running. After dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis based on the average pairwise correlation distance to the adult running cluster served as a measure for maturity of the running pattern. Both children developed running. Yet, in one of them the running pattern did not reach maturity whereas in the other it did. As expected, mature running appeared in later sessions (>13 months after the onset of independent walking). Interestingly, mature running alternated with episodes of immature running within sessions. Our clustering approach separated them. An additional analysis of the accompanying muscle synergies revealed that the participant who did not reach mature running had more differences in muscle contraction when compared to adults than the other. One may speculate that this difference in muscle activity may have caused the difference in running pattern.

Effect of Box Height on the Muscle Activity during the Bulgarian Split Squat Exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of box height on muscle activity of the ipsilateral erector spinae and gluteus maximus of the dominant leg during the Bulgarian split squat (BSS) exercise. A total of 21 healthy male participants were selected for this study. The participants repeated the Bulgarian split squat three times each on boxes of tibia height and half-tibia height. Surface EMG activity was recorded in the erector spinae and gluteus maximus for five seconds as the knees touched the mat and ascended during the Bulgarian split squat. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) calculated through the manual muscle test was used to normalize EMG activity. A paired sample t-test was conducted to evaluate the changes in the muscle activity of the erector spinae and gluteus maximus between box heights, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Although the EMG activity levels of the erector spinae and gluteus maximus were higher during BSS on a box of tibia height, the differences in muscle activity were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The muscle activity levels of the erector spinae and gluteus maximus were lower and similar, respectively, during Bulgarian split squat on a box of half-tibia height compared with a box of tibia height. Thus, it is recommended that BSS be conducted on boxes with shorter heights.

Muscle activation and rating of perceived exertion of typically developing children during DRY and aquatic treadmill walking.

Aquatic treadmill gait training is a poorly understood rehabilitation method that alters bodyweight support, increases lower limb resistance, and assists with postural stability. This training could be an attractive tool for clinical populations with balance control issues or limited weight-bearing prescriptions for the lower limb. As a first step, the purpose of this study was to quantify differences in mean muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, medial gastrocnemius, and semitendinosus, and perceived exertion (RPE) in typically developing children (7:8 M:F, age=11.3±4.1years, 1.46±0.18m, and 44.2±16.8kg) during dry and aquatic treadmill walking at 75%, 100%, and 125% self-selected speed. We hypothesized that the greatest mean muscle activity, normalized to percent maximum voluntary contraction and averaged across all strides, would be observed during 125% dry treadmill walking and that aquatic treadmill walking would produce lower RPE. Overall, aquatic treadmill walking reduced mean medial gastrocnemius activity by 50.2% (padj<0.001), increased mean rectus femoris activity at least 32.8% (padj<0.006), and produced 78.0% (padj=0.007) greater RPE compared to dry treadmill walking. This study provides normative pediatric data for future aquatic treadmill walking studies in clinical populations to help inform gait rehabilitation protocols.

Differences in Thigh Muscle Activation Between Standing and Landing Exercises for Knee Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation.

In injury prevention or rehabilitation programs, exercises that facilitate enhanced hamstring activity may be beneficial when aiming to enhance knee joint stability during movements in sports with higher risk of acute knee injury. Information about neuromuscular activation of the hamstring muscles in commonly used exercises may improve exercise selection and progression in programs for knee injury prevention or rehabilitation. To investigate (1) how balance devices with progressing degrees of instability influence the activity of muscles controlling the knee joint in typical balance exercises with different demands on postural control, and (2) if any between-sex differences exist. Cross-sectional study. Twenty habitually active healthy adults (11 males) participated in this cross-sectional study. Single-leg stance, single-leg squat and single-leg landing were performed on the floor and two different balance devices imposing various levels of challenge to postural control. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to obtain hip and knee joint angles, and as primary outcomes, and peak normalized EMG activity from the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles was measured for comparison between exercises. The more challenging in terms of maintaining stable balance the devices were, the higher hamstring muscle activity levels were observed. There was a clear progression across balance devices from single-leg stance to single-leg squat and further to single-leg landing displaying increasing hamstring activity levels. The change in medial hamstring activity across all devices when changing from single-leg squat to single-leg landing was significantly higher for the female participants than for the males reaching a higher level of activity. The muscle activity of the hamstrings and quadriceps increased when the motor task was more dynamic. Specifically, single-leg landings were effective in increasing the hamstring muscle activity over the single-leg stance to single-leg squat exercises, and muscle activity was significantly increased with the most unstable device. Increases in hamstring muscle activation was greater in female subjects than males with increasing instability of the balance devices. Not registered. 3.

Peroneal muscle activity during stable and unstable load exercises. A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the muscle activity of the peroneus longus during the execution of different unstable load exercises compared to stable load exercises. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingFunctional Anatomy Laboratory. Participants28 healthy athletes. Main outcome measuresSurface electromyography (sEMG), unstable load (water tank), Stable Load (Sandbag), type of exercise (Isometric single leg stance, single-leg Romanian deadlift, front rack forward lunge and lateral lunge). ResultsThe repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant Group ∗ Time interaction in Root Mean Square (RMS) (F = 51.307, P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.70). In the between-group analysis there were statistically significant differences in RMS isometric single leg stance in favor to unstable load (P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.07). In the within-group analysis of RMS statistically significant differences were found in the stable load group between isometric single leg stance and single-leg Romanian deadlift (P < 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.05). ConclusionsSingle leg stance exercise with unstable load showed higher peroneus muscle activity than stable load. However, no peroneus muscle activity differences were found between unstable and stable loads for single-leg Romanian deadlift, frontal rack forward lunge and lateral lunge. Single-leg Romanian deadlift with stable load showed higher peroneus muscle activity than isometric single leg stance with stable load.

Associations between signs of sleep bruxism and insomnia: A polysomnographic study.

Sleep bruxism (SB) is a repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterised by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible. Sleep bruxism has been linked with insomnia symptoms. Moreover, it has been suggested that there is a positive association between distress and the occurrence of sleep bruxism. However, the occurrence of sleep bruxism and its association with distress have not been studied in patients with insomnia. Therefore, we hypothesised that: (1) the occurrence of sleep bruxism is higher in patients with insomnia than in healthy controls; and (2) the occurrence of sleep bruxism in insomnia patients with moderate to high distress (IMHD) is higher than that in insomnia patients with slight distress (ISD). A total of 44 controls (34 females, 10 males, mean ± SD age=46.8 ± 14.4 years) and 42 participants with insomnia (35 females, 7 males, mean ± SD age=51.3 ± 12.1 years) were enrolled in this study. Among 42 participants with insomnia, 20 participants were subtyped as IMHD, 17 participants as ISD. Another five participants were not subtyped due to insufficient information. Group differences in rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA), a biomarker of sleep bruxism, were evaluated with Mann-Whitney U tests. The medians and interquartile ranges of the RMMA indices were 0.8|1.8|3.3 in controls, 1.1|1.6|2.3 in IMHD and 1.2|1.9|2.9 in ISD. There was no significant difference in the RMMA index, neither between participants with insomnia and controls (P=0.514) nor between IMHD versus ISD (P=0.270). The occurrence of RMMA indicators of possible sleep bruxism is not significantly different between individuals with insomnia and controls, nor between IMHD versus ISD.

Postural adjustment in standing position when catching a ball under unpredictable conditions of the direction to be caught

BackgroundBalanced postural control of the body is associated with two mechanisms: anticipatory postural adjustment and compensatory postural adjustment. Previous studies reported changes in body postural control under unpredictable conditions (interference with closed eyes). Research questionTo ascertain whether in contrast with predictable disturbances, there is a difference in muscle activity and center of pressure displacement changes when the direction of the disturbance is unpredictable. MethodsThree examiners stood at 45° to the left, the front, and 45° to the right of the participant to throw the ball to him. 11 healthy young participants were required to maintain their balance in the standing position after receiving the ball in conditions with and without known catching directions. The anticipatory postural adjustment and compensatory postural adjustment integral changes of the muscle activity in the lower limbs and trunk bilaterally and at the center of pressure displacement in the known and unknown conditions were observed. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences in muscle activity and displacement changes. ResultsResults showed that the center of pressure in the anticipatory postural adjustment and compensatory postural adjustment in the posterior direction with known catching direction was significantly shorter than those without. Integration of electromyogram in anticipatory postural adjustment of the right soleus (p = 0.023) was associated with higher muscle activities in the unknown than known conditions. Integration of electromyogram in compensatory postural adjustment of the right tibial anterior (p = 0.004), right rectus femoris (p = 0.023) and left rectus abdominis (p = 0.038) in unknown catching direction had significantly greater muscle activity than those without. When the direction of the perturbation is unpredictable, the central nervous system may initiate and induce greater center of pressure changes in the posterior direction with changes in several muscular activities to ensure postural control.

The Efficacity of the NeuroAssist Robotic System for Motor Rehabilitation of the Upper Limb-Promising Results from a Pilot Study.

The research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the NeuroAssist, a parallel robotic system comprised of three robotic modules equipped with human-robot interaction capabilities, an internal sensor system for torque monitoring, and an external sensor system for real-time patient monitoring for the motor rehabilitation of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The study enrolled 10 consecutive patients with right upper limb paresis caused by stroke, traumatic spinal cord disease, or multiple sclerosis admitted to the Neurology I Department of Cluj-Napoca Emergency County Hospital. The patients were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically before (T1) and after the intervention (T2). The intervention consisted of five consecutive daily sessions of 30-45 min each of 30 passive repetitive movements performed with the robot. There were significant differences (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) between baseline and end-point clinical parameters, specifically for the Barthel Index (53.00 ± 37.72 vs. 60.50 ± 36.39, p = 0.016) and Activities of Daily Living Index (4.70 ± 3.43 vs. 5.50 ± 3.80, p = 0.038). The goniometric parameters improved: shoulder flexion (70.00 ± 56.61 vs. 80.00 ± 63.59, p = 0.026); wrist flexion/extension (34.00 ± 28.75 vs. 42.50 ± 33.7, p = 0.042)/(30.00 ± 22.97 vs. 41.00 ± 30.62, p = 0.042); ulnar deviation (23.50 ± 19.44 vs. 33.50 ± 24.15, p = 0.027); and radial deviation (17.50 ± 18.14 vs. 27.00 ± 24.85, p = 0.027). There was a difference in muscle activation of the extensor digitorum communis muscle (1.00 ± 0.94 vs. 1.40 ± 1.17, p = 0.046). The optimized and dependable NeuroAssist Robotic System improved shoulder and wrist range of motion and functional scores, regardless of the cause of the motor deficit. However, further investigations are necessary to establish its definite role in motor recovery.

Are there differences between a real C0-C1 mobilization and a sham technique in function and pressure pain threshold in patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical restriction? A randomised controlled clinical trial.

Chronic neck pain is one of the main reasons for visiting a healthcare professional. In recent years, it has been shown that upper cervical restriction may be a factor involved in neck pain. To compare the immediate effects of a real cervical mobilization technique versus a sham cervical mobilization technique in patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical restriction. This was a randomised, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Twenty-eight patients with chronic neck pain were recruited and divided into two groups (14 = real cervical mobilization; 14 = sham mobilization). Both groups received a single 5-minute treatment session. Upper cervical range motion, flexion-rotation test, deep cervical activation and pressure pain threshold were measured. In the between-groups comparison, statistically significant differences were found in favour of the real cervical mobilization group in upper cervical extension (p= 0.003), more restricted side of flexion-rotation test (p< 0.001) and less restricted side of flexion-rotation test (p= 0.007) and in the pressure pain threshold of the right trapezius (p= 0.040) and right splenius (p= 0.049). No differences in deep muscle activation were obtained. The real cervical mobilization group generates improvements in upper cervical spine movement and pressure pain threshold of right trapezius and right splenius compared to the sham group in patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical restriction.

A Study of Different Frequencies of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Upper Extremity Muscle Activity and Hand Function in Chronic Stroke Patients

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of different frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the upper extremity muscle activity and hand function of chronic stroke patients. The study subjects comprised 18 chronic stroke patients: the 5 Hz rTMS group (HFG), which included nine patients who received rTMS to the affected cerebral hemisphere, and the 1 Hz low-frequency group (LFG), which had nine patients who received rTMS to the nonaffected cerebral hemisphere. The intervention was conducted three times a week for four weeks. Electromyography was used to check muscle activity, and the stroke upper extremity function test (MFT) and grip strength test were performed to check hand function. Pre- and post-evaluations were performed for both groups. A comparison between the two groups showed a significant difference in the activity of the trapezius anterior and triceps brachii muscle for the muscle activities in the HFG group (p 0.05) as well as a significant difference in the MFT results for hand function (p 0.05). In the LFG group, a significant difference was noted in the triceps brachii muscle for muscle activity (p 0.05), but no significant difference was evident in hand function (p 0.05). The comparison of the two groups showed a significant difference in muscle activity in the triceps brachii muscle (p 0.05) but no significant difference in hand function (p 0.05). This study confirmed that high-frequency rTMS has a positive effect on upper extremity muscle activity and hand function in chronic stroke patients.

Analysis of Vibration Frequency and Direction for Facilitating Upper-Limb Muscle Activity.

We aimed to determine the effect of vibration frequency and direction on upper-limb muscle activation using a handheld vibrator. We recruited 19 healthy participants who were instructed to hold a handheld vibrator in their dominant hand and maintain the elbow at 90° flexion, while vertical and horizontal vibrations were applied with frequencies of 15, 30, 45, and 60 Hz for 60 s each. Surface electromyography (EMG) measured the activities of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), biceps, triceps, and deltoid anterior muscles. EMG changes were evaluated as the difference in muscle activity between vibration and no-vibration (0 Hz) conditions. Muscle activity was induced under vibration conditions in both vertical and horizontal (p &lt; 0.05) directions. At 45 Hz, FDS and FCR activities increased during horizontal vibrations, compared with those during vertical vibrations. ECU activity significantly increased under 15-Hz vertical vibrations compared with that during horizontal vibrations. Vibrations from the handheld vibrator significantly induced upper-limb muscle activity. The maximum muscle activations for FDS, ECR, ECU, biceps, and triceps were induced by 45-Hz horizontal vibration. The 60-Hz vertical and 30-Hz horizontal vibrations facilitated maximum muscle activations for the FCR and deltoid anterior, respectively.

Effect of external isometric hip rotation force on lower extremity muscles activities during pelvic drop with different hip positions

Gluteus medius muscle (Gmed) dysfunction has been confirmed as a functional defect in subjects with Genu Valgum Deformity (GVD). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the change in the positions of hip rotation and applying isometric hip external rotation during pelvic drop (PD) can affect muscles activity in subjects with GVD. A total of thirty recreational female athletes with (n = 15) and without (n = 15) GVD participated in this study. Surface electromyography measured Gmed, tensor fascia latae (TFL), and quadratus lumborum (QL) muscles activity when subjects performed PD in three different positions of hip rotations with and without applied isometric hip external rotation force. There were differences in muscle activity between GVD and healthy subjects. The Gmed/TFL and Gmed/QL muscles activity ratio altered while placing the hip in different rotation positions and applying isometric load. The lower extremity muscles’ activity is affected by GVD, and changing the positions of the hip rotation in the PD task can be associated with altered muscle activity in both GVD and healthy Groups. However, applying isometric hip external rotation during PD can be suggested as an effective intervention to increase Gmed activity.