Electromyographic Burst Duration Research Articles

Optogenetic activation of serotonergic neurons changes masticatory movement in freely moving mice

The serotonergic system modulates the neural circuits involved in jaw movement; however, the role of serotonin (5-HT) neurons in masticatory movement remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of selective activation of 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), or the raphe obscurus nucleus (ROb), on voluntary masticatory movement using transgenic mice expressing the channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) mutant (C128S) in central 5-HT neurons. During voluntary mastication, DRN blue light illumination increased masticatory frequency and decreased the root mean square peak amplitude of electromyography (EMG) in the masseter muscles. DRN blue light illumination also decreased EMG burst duration in the masseter and digastric muscles. These changes were blocked by a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Conversely, ROb blue light illumination during voluntary mastication did not affect masticatory frequency and EMG bursts in the masseter and digastric muscles. DRN or ROb blue light illumination during the resting state did not induce rhythmic jaw movement such as mastication but induced an increase in EMG activity in masseter and digastric muscles. These results suggest that both DRN and ROb 5-HT neurons may facilitate jaw movement. Furthermore, DRN 5-HT neuron may contribute to changes in masticatory patterns during the masticatory sequence.

Influence of restricted mastication on swallowing function.

Oral food processing is an important part of daily food intake. A major part of this process is mastication, which prepares a bolus of food for swallowing by mechanically crushing and grinding ingested food between the teeth using rhythmic movements. Masticatory dysfunction is common in the elderly and in some neurological disorders and can have serious negative health consequences. This study investigated the effect of restricted mastication, achieved by experimentally reducing the duration of mastication, on masticatory patterns and subsequent swallowing function. Thirty healthy men (25 ± 3 years old) were instructed to chew gum jelly with a free mastication duration (G100), a half and a quarter duration of G100. Masseter and digastric electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded to assess mastication and swallowing activity, respectively. In addition, the acceleration of the thyroid cartilage ridge was measured with an accelerometer. The root mean square (RMS) of muscle EMG activity in the masseter and digastric muscles, the number of masseter EMG bursts, time to peak and total duration of each masseter EMG burst, swallowing duration and laryngeal elevation latency were analysed. Restricting masticatory duration reduced the number of mastication cycles (p < .001), prolonged the time to peak (p < .001) and total duration of masseter EMG bursts (p < .001) and resulted in an overall increased RMS score of masseter muscle activity (p = .017). Furthermore, restricted masticatory duration led to a decrease in both swallowing duration (p = .001) and laryngeal elevation latency (p = .012), with a significant increase in the RMS score of digastric muscle activity (p < .001). Under the experimental conditions of restricted mastication, several adaptation features were observed, including changes in masticatory cycle characteristics and swallowing duration. Thus, although the overall masticatory efficiency was reduced, these adaptations allowed healthy individuals to still swallow safely.

Effects of Visual Input Absence on Balance Recovery Responses to Lateral Standing Surface Perturbations in Older and Younger Adults

Although the ability to recover balance in the lateral direction has important implications with regard to fall risk in older adults, the effect of visual input on balance recovery in response to lateral perturbation and the effect of age are not well studied. We investigated the effect of visual input on balance recovery response to unpredictable lateral surface perturbations and its age-related changes. Ten younger and 10 older healthy adults were compared during balance recovery trials performed with the eyes open and eyes closed (EC). Compared with younger adults, older adults showed increased electromyography (EMG) peak amplitude of the soleus and gluteus medius, reduced EMG burst duration of the gluteus maximus and medius, and increased body sway (SD of the body's center of mass acceleration) in EC. In addition, older adults exhibited a smaller % increase (EC-eyes open) of the ankle eversion angle, hip abduction torque, EMG burst duration of the fibularis longus, and a greater % increase of body sway. All kinematics, kinetics, and EMG variables were greater in EC compared with eyes open in both groups. In conclusion, the absence of visual input negatively affects the balance recovery mechanism more in older adults compared with younger adults.

Age-related differences in stepping stability following a sudden gait perturbation are associated with lower limb eccentric control of the perturbed limb.

Falls are a leading cause of severe injuries and a major threat to quality of life in older adults. Elderly fallers demonstrate insufficient eccentric quadriceps control during the weight acceptance phase of initial single limb stance. However, the functional role of eccentric control of the perturbed (leading) leg during walking balance recovery and its age-related differences have not yet been studied; thus we investigated age-related differences in eccentric control at the knee of the perturbed leg and its influence on the postural sway and stability of the trailing leg during balance recovery following unexpected surface drop perturbations. Ten younger and ten older healthy adults were compared during balance recovery following an 8cm unexpected surface drop perturbation at gait initiation. Outcomes related to perturbed leg included 1) eccentric knee extensor work; 2) electromyography (EMG) peak amplitude, peak latency, and eccentric EMG burst duration of the rectus femoris (RF); and 3) knee flexion angle during the single limb support. Outcomes related to stability of the trailing leg included 4) margin of stability (MoS) at first compensatory step touchdown after the perturbation. 5) Postural sway (standard deviation of center of mass acceleration) was measured in the anterior-posterior (A-P), medio-lateral (M-L), vertical directions during the single limb support. Compared to younger adults, older adults demonstrated lower eccentric knee extensor work (p=0.034), shorter RF EMG burst duration (p<0.01), delayed RF EMG peak latency (p=0.01), smaller knee flexion angle (p=0.01) and MoS (p=0.04), and higher postural sway (M-L (p=0.02), vertical (p<0.01)). There was a positive correlation between eccentric work and MoS (p=0.03) and a negative correlation between M-L postural sway and 1) RF eccentric EMG burst duration (p=0.04), and 2) eccentric work (p=0.01). Older adults demonstrated deficits in eccentric knee extensor control in the perturbed leg during single limb support, which contributed to reduced stability of the trailing leg compensatory step and greater postural sway during balance recovery. This finding provides insight into mechanisms of fall recovery from an unexpected unilateral postural perturbation and directions for lower limb strengthening exercises for aging populations.

Trunk kinematics and muscle activation patterns during stand-to-sit movement and the relationship with postural stability in aging

BackgroundStand-to-sit (StandTS) movement is an important functional activity that can be challenging for older adults due to age-related changes in neuromotor control. Although trunk flexion, eccentric contraction of the rectus femoris (RF), and coordination of RF and biceps femoris (BF) muscles are important to the StandTS task, the effects of aging on these and related outcomes are not well studied. Research questionWhat are the age-related differences in trunk flexion, lower extremity muscle activation patterns, and postural stability during a StandTS task and what is the relationship between these variables? MethodsTen younger and ten older healthy adults performed three StandTS trials at self-selected speeds. Outcomes included peak amplitude, peak timing, burst duration, and onset latency of electromyography (EMG) activity of the RF and BF muscles, trunk flexion angle and angular velocity, whole body center of mass (CoM) displacement, center of pressure (CoP) velocity, and ground reaction force (GRF). ResultsThere were no age-related differences in weight-bearing symmetry, StandTS and trunk flexion angular velocity, or BF activity. In both groups, EMG peak timing of RF was preceded by BF. Compared to younger adults, older adults demonstrated shorter RF EMG burst duration, reduced trunk flexion, and reduced stability as indicated by the longer duration in which CoM was maintained beyond the posterior limit of base of support (BoS), greater mean anterior-posterior CoP velocity and larger standard deviation of CoM vertical acceleration during StandTS with smaller vertical GRF immediately prior to StandTS termination. Trunk flexion angle and RF EMG burst duration correlated with stability as measured by the duration in which the CoM stayed within the BoS. SignificanceDecreased trunk flexion and impaired eccentric control of the RF are associated with StandTS instability in aging and suggest the importance of including StandTS training as a part of a comprehensive balance intervention.

Real world use of a neurophysiology service for the differential diagnosis of hyperkinetic movement disorders

IntroductionClinical neurophysiology constitutes a potentially useful aid in differentiating hyperkinetic movement disorders (HMD). Parameters including presence of a Bereitschaftspotential on back-averaged electroencephalography (EEG) have been demonstrated to help distinguish between these disorders. In 2008, a Movement Disorder neurophysiology service was established in Greater Manchester to aid in the diagnostic process. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed records of patients with HMD who underwent EEG back-averaging through this service from January 2009 until January 2018. The aim was (i) to characterise the clinical features of our patient cohort and (ii) to determine how frequently neurophysiological testing altered the final diagnosis. ResultsA total of 39 patients (23 females, 16 males), with a mean age at onset of 42.6 years and mean disease duration of 2.0 years underwent neurophysiological examination. The clinical diagnosis was changed in 16 cases (41%) and refined in a further seven. Distractibility (P = 0.001), variability (P = 0.002), the presence of a Bereitschaftspotential (P < 0.0001), and electromyography burst duration > 300 ms (P = 0.012) were more frequent in those with an eventual diagnosis of functional movement disorder (n = 24) compared to other HMDs (n = 15). ConclusionNeurophysiology is an invaluable adjunct in complex HMD, altering the diagnosis and treatment options for a significant proportion of patients. Our data also demonstrate, consistent with previous studies, that the majority of patients referred for jerky HMDs to a tertiary movement disorder service have a functional movement disorder.

GABA and glycine neurons from the ventral medullary region inhibit hypoglossal motoneurons.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by repetitive sleep-related losses of upper airway patency that occur most frequently during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Hypoglossal motoneurons play a key role in regulating upper airway muscle tone and patency during sleep. REM sleep activates GABA and glycine neurons in the ventral medulla (VM) to induce cortical desynchronization and skeletal muscle atonia during REM sleep; however, the role of this brain region in modulating hypoglossal motor activity is unknown. We combined optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches with in-vitro and in-vivo electrophysiology, respectfully, in GAD2-Cre mice of both sexes to test the hypothesis that VM GABA/glycine neurons control the activity of hypoglossal motoneurons and tongue muscles. Here, we show that there is a pathway originating from GABA/glycine neurons in the VM that monosynaptically inhibits brainstem hypoglossal motoneurons innervating both tongue protruder genioglossus (GMNs) and retractor (RMNs) muscles. Optogenetic activation of ChR2-expressing fibers induced a greater postsynaptic inhibition in RMNs than in GMNs. In-vivo chemogenetic activation of VM GABA/glycine neurons produced an inhibitory effect on tongue electromyographic (EMG) activity, decreasing both the amplitude and duration of inspiratory-related EMG bursts without any change in respiratory rate. These results indicate that activation of GABA/glycine neurons from the VM inhibits tongue muscles via a direct pathway to both GMNs and RMNs. This inhibition may play a role in REM sleep associated upper airway obstructions that occur in patients with OSA.

Activity-Based Training Alters Penile Reflex Responses in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

IntroductionMultisystem functional gains have been reported in males with spinal cord injury (SCI) after undergoing activity-based training (ABT), including increases in scoring of sexual function and reports of improved erectile function. AimThis study aims to examine the effect of daily 60-minute locomotor training and exercise in general on sexual function in a rat SCI contusion model. MethodsMale Wistar rats received a T9 contusion SCI. Animals were randomized into 4 groups: a quadrupedal stepping group (SCI + QT), a forelimb-only exercise group (SCI + FT), a non-trained harnessed group (SCI + NT), and a home cage non-trained group (SCI + HC). The 2 non-trained groups were combined (SCI) post hoc. Daily training sessions were 60 minutes in duration for 8 weeks. Urine samples were collected during bi-weekly 24-hour metabolic cage behavioral testing. Latency, numbers of penile dorsiflexion, and glans cupping were recorded during bi-weekly penile dorsiflexion reflex (PDFR) testing. Terminal electromyography (EMG) recordings of the bulbospongiosus muscle (BSM) were recorded in response to stimulation of the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP). OutcomesABT after SCI had a significant effect on PDFR, as well as BSM EMG latency and burst duration. ResultsSCI causes a significant decrease in the latency to onset of PDFR. After 8 weeks of ABT, SCI + QT animals had a significantly increased latency relative to the post-SCI baseline. BSM EMG response to DNP stimulation had a significantly decreased latency and increase in average and maximum amplitude in SCI + QT animals. SCI animals had a significantly longer burst duration than trained animals. Time between PDFR events, penile dorsiflexion, glans cupping, and urine testosterone were not affected by ABT. Clinical ImplicationsABT has a positive influence on sexual function and provides a potential therapy to enhance the efficacy of current sexual dysfunction therapies in the male SCI population. Strengths and LimitationsSeveral significant small improvements in sexual function were found in a clinically relevant rat model of SCI using a readily available rehabilitative therapy. The limited findings could reflect insensitivity of the PDFR as a measure of erectile function. ConclusionsThese results indicate that task-specific stepping and/or loading provide sensory input to the spinal cord impacting the neural circuitry responsible for sexual function.Steadman CJ, Hoey RF, Montgomery LR, et al. Activity-Based Training Alters Penile Reflex Responses in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury. J Sex Med 2019; 16:1143–1154.

Children with chronic stress-induced recurrent muscle pain have enhanced startle reaction.

Children with recurrent pain of negative chronic stress origin from different locations have a characteristic pattern of tender points in the temporal, trapezoid, great pectoral and abdominal muscles. We tested the hypothesis that the startle reaction is activated in these children and that some of the startle-activated muscles are related to the tender point pattern and the recurrent pain. In children/adolescents, aged 10-17years, 19 with recurrent psychosomatic pain (PAIN) and 23 controls (CON) we measured and analysed resting activity and acoustic startle response with electromyography (EMG) for the muscles involved in the pattern of tender points and also the lumbar erector spinae. The PAIN group showed higher resting activity and higher acoustic startle response values than the CON group for all six muscles together regarding the mean amplitude in the initial 200ms, and during the burst of activity, and longer burst duration and shorter burst latency. For PAIN versus CON, all separate muscles showed generally higher values of EMG amplitudes and burst durations, and shorter latencies for the burst onset in all measures; with significance or strong trends for several parameters and muscles. For the first time in children with recurrent psychosomatic pain, increased resting activity and potentiated startle response were demonstrated in the muscles involved in the stress tender point pattern. This study demonstrates in adolescents how recurrent pain of negative stress origin from the head, stomach, back and chest is related to increased startle reaction and increased muscular tension in these regions. This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the global burden of recurrent pain.

Targeted upper-limb Wii-based Movement Therapy also improves lower-limb muscle activation and functional movement in chronic stroke

Purpose: Post-stroke hemiparesis may manifest as asymmetric gait, poor balance, and inefficient movement patterns. We investigated improvements in lower-limb muscle activation and function during Wii-based Movement Therapy (WMT), a rehabilitation program specifically targeting upper-limb motor-function.Methods: Electromyography (EMG) was recorded bilaterally from tibialis anterior (TA) in 20 stroke patients during a 14-day WMT program. EMG amplitude and burst duration were analyzed during stereotypical movement sequences of WMT activities. Functional movement ability was assessed pre- and post-therapy including 6-min walk test (6MWT), stair-climbing speed, and Wolf Motor Function Test timed-tasks.Results: TA EMG burst duration during Wii-golf increased by 30% on the more-affected side (p = 0.04) and decreased by 28% on the less-affected side. Patients who did not step during Wii-tennis had a 16% decrease in more-affected TA burst sum (p = 0.047) resulting in more symmetrical activation ratio at late-therapy, with the ratio changing from 3.24 ± 2.25 to 0.99 ± 0.11 (p = 0.047). Six-minute walk and stair-climbing speed improved (p = 0.005 and 0.03, respectively), as did upper-limb movement (p ≤ 0.001).Conclusion: This study provides physiological evidence for lower-limb improvements with WMT. Different patterns of muscle activation changes were evident across the WMT activities. Despite the relatively good pre-therapy lower-limb function, muscle activation and symmetry improved significantly with upper-limb WMT.Implications for rehabilitationWMT is an upper-limb neurorehabilitation program that also improves lower-limb motor-function.We report a shift towards more symmetrical muscle activation of tibialis anterior on the more- and less-affected sides that were reflected in increased distance walked during the 6MWT.The use of standing during therapy not only improves lower-limb function but also permits larger and more powerful upper-limb movements.Targeted upper-limb rehabilitation can also significantly improve mobility and balance, whether dynamic or static, that should reduce the risk of falls post-stroke.

Modulation of forelimb and hindlimb muscle activity during quadrupedal tied-belt and split-belt locomotion in intact cats

The modulation of the neural output to forelimb and hindlimb muscles when the left and right sides step at different speeds from one another in quadrupeds was assessed by obtaining electromyography (EMG) in seven intact adult cats during split-belt locomotion. To determine if changes in EMG during split-belt locomotion were modulated according to the speed of the belt the limb was stepping on, values were compared to those obtained during tied-belt locomotion (equal left–right speeds) at matched speeds. Cats were chronically implanted for EMG, which was obtained from six muscles: biceps brachii, triceps brachii, flexor carpi ulnaris, sartorius, vastus lateralis and medial gastrocnemius. During tied-belt locomotion, cats stepped from 0.4 to 1.0m/s in 0.1m/s increments whereas during split-belt locomotion, cats stepped with left–right speed differences of 0.1 to 0.4m/s in 0.1m/s increments. During tied-belt locomotion, EMG burst durations and mean EMG amplitudes of all muscles respectively decreased and increased with increasing speed. During split-belt locomotion, there was a clear differential modulation of the EMG patterns between flexors and extensors and between the slow and fast sides. Changes in the EMG pattern of some muscles could be explained by the speed of the belt the limb was stepping on, while in other muscles there were clear dissociations from tied-belt values at matched speeds. Therefore, results show that EMG patterns during split-belt locomotion are modulated to meet task requirements partly via signals related to the stepping speed of the homonymous limb and from the other limbs.

Electromyographic Control of Movement Time in a Rapid Aiming Movement

One of the major issues to emerge from research on human-limb movement is the manner in which the central nervous system regulates electromyographic (EMG) activity to produce movements that differ in duration and distance. Different models of control predict different relations between EMG characteristics and movement kinematics, particularly with regard to the role of EMG burst duration and movement time. However, models have been evaluated with means averaged over individuals and across large numbers of practice trials. The goal of this study was to assess how well individual subjects' data conform to the predictions of the control models. Participants (n = 4) performed an elbow flexion and extension task over 45 degrees in movement times between 90 and 260 msec. EMG amplitude and EMG burst duration from the right elbow flexors were correlated with movement time for each individual. As expected, movement time was positively correlated with EMG burst duration and negatively correlated with EMG amplitude, with wider ranges in the EMG burst duration-movement time correlations across participants. Data from all participants supported predictions of the impulse-timing control model, but the slopes of the studied relations varied across participants.

Electrophysiological features of myoclonus‐dystonia

Inherited myoclonus-dystonia (M-D) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by myoclonus and dystonia that often improves with alcohol. To examine the electrophysiologic characteristics of M-D, we studied 6 patients from 4 different families and 9 age-matched healthy subjects. Neurophysiological studies performed include electromyography (EMG)-electroencephalography (EEG) polygraphy, jerk-locked back-averaged EEG, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), long-latency reflex (LLR) to median and digital nerve stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation studies with short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), and long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI). All 6 patients showed myoclonus and dystonia on clinical examination and EMG testing. The EMG burst durations ranged from 30.4 to 750.6 milliseconds (mean, 101.5 milliseconds). Jerk-locked back-averaged EEG failed to reveal any preceding cortical correlates. Median nerve SEP revealed no giant potential. No patients had exaggerated LLR to median or digital nerve stimulation. There was no significant difference in SICI, ICF, and LICI between M-D patients and normal subjects. Myoclonus in inherited M-D is likely of subcortical origin. Normal intracortical inhibition and facilitation suggest that the GABAergic circuits in the motor cortex are largely intact and that the mechanisms of myoclonus and dystonia are different from those for cortical myoclonus and other dystonic disorders.

Trial-by-Trial Analysis or Averaging

The control of human limb movement has been the focus of research for more than a century. A major issue to emerge from this work is the manner in which the central nervous system regulates electromyographic (EMG) activity to produce movements that differ in distance, velocity, and movement time. However, the different methods of analysis often used to analyze EMG data could result in different kinematic-EMG relationships. In this study, participants performed an elbow flexion task to one of five distance goals (between 5° and 50°) using three movement speeds. EMG data from the right elbow flexors were compared using a trial-by-trial analysis and one based on averaged data. Averaging across trials underestimated biceps EMG amplitude at all movement distances and speeds compared to a trial-by-trial analysis. Averaging overestimated EMG burst duration compared to the trial-by-trial analysis. Peak agonist EMG amplitude was positively related to distance and inversely related to movement time. Agonist EMG duration was constant for movement distances less than 30° but increased in the 50° condition. The results support the view that peak EMG amplitude and duration can be controlled independently, but EMG duration changes only for longer distance movements when additional force is required.

Isolated diaphragmatic tremor

Respiratory myoclonus or diaphragmatic flutter is an unusual movement disorder with abnormal diaphragmatic activity, which may be associated with respiratory symptoms. The effects of distracting maneuvers on diaphragmatic activity have not been investigated. Two patients with nondisabling abdominal movements of suspected diaphragmatic origin were studied with surface and needle electromyography (EMG). The abdominal movements resulted from isolated, rhythmic diaphragmatic contractions with variable EMG burst duration, suppressibility with breath-holding and distracting maneuvers, and other attributes of volitional control. "Respiratory myoclonus" may be a heterogeneous disorder ranging from synchronous movements of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles associated with respiratory compromise, to diaphragmatic movements under at least some volitional control with no respiratory or functional disability. The latter group could be designated phenomenologically as "isolated diaphragmatic tremor."

Patterns of leg muscle recruitment vary between novice and highly trained cyclists

This study compared patterns of leg muscle recruitment and coactivation, and the relationship between muscle recruitment, coactivation and cadence, in novice and highly trained cyclists. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of tibialis anterior (TA), tibialis posterior (TP), peroneus longus (PL), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and soleus (SOL) was recorded using intramuscular fine-wire electrodes. Four experimental conditions of varying cadence were investigated. Differences were evident between novice and highly trained cyclists in the recruitment of all muscles. Novice cyclists were characterized by greater individual variance, greater population variance, more extensive and more variable muscle coactivation, and greater EMG amplitude in periods between primary EMG bursts. Peak EMG amplitude increased linearly with cadence and was not different at individual preferred cadence in either novice or highly trained cyclists. However, EMG amplitude in periods between primary EMG bursts, as well as the duration of primary EMG bursts, increased with increasing cadence in novice cyclists but were not influenced by cadence in highly trained cyclists. Our findings suggest that muscle recruitment is highly skilled in highly trained cyclists and less refined in novice cyclists. More skilled muscle recruitment in highly trained cyclists is likely a result of neuromuscular adaptations due to repeated performance of the cycling movement in training and competition.

Neuromuscular control of the head in an isometric force reproduction task: comparison of whiplash subjects and healthy controls

Background context A number of recent scientific publications suggest that patients suffering from whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) exhibit sensorimotor deficits in the control of head and neck movements. Purpose The main objective of the present study was to evaluate if subjects with WADs can produce isometric neck extension and flexion forces with precision, variability, and a mode of control similar to the values of healthy subjects. Study design A control group study with repeated measures. Patient samples Neck force production parameters and neuromuscular control were measured in 17 whiplash and 14 control subjects. The experimental group included subjects who had a history of persistent neck pain or disability after a motor vehicle accident. Outcome measures Pain levels were assessed on a standard 100-mm visual analog pain scale at the beginning and end of the experiment. Each whiplash subject completed the neck disability index and the short-form 36 health survey (SF-36) questionnaire before the experiment. Methods All subjects were asked to exert flexion and extension forces against a fixed head harness. Kinetic variables included time to peak force, time to peak force variability, peak force variability, and absolute error in peak force. Surface electrodes were applied bilaterally over the sternocleidomastoideus and paraspinal muscles. Electromyography (EMG)-dependent variables included EMG burst duration and amplitude using numerical integrated techniques. Results The average time to peak force was significantly longer for whiplash subjects than for the healthy controls. A significant increase in peak force variability was also observed in the whiplash group, and no group differences were noted for absolute error. Heightened muscular activity was seen in both paraspinal muscles, even though it only reached statistical significance for the left paraspinal muscle. Conclusion Our results show that the whiplash subjects involved in the study were able to produce isometric forces with spatial precision similar to healthy controls using a motor strategy in which the time to peak force is increased. This trade-off between spatial precision and time to peak force probably reflects an adaptation aimed at limiting pain and further injuries.

Neurophysiology of myoclonus

Myoclonus may be generated by any area in the central nervous system. Finding its generator is helpful in the diagnostic process. Although clinical features have to be carefully analyzed as they may give a first idea, neurophysiologic study of myoclonus provides the most important clues for the determination of the generator. Surface electromyography (EMG) allows analyzing the recruitment order in generalized myoclonus, thereby suggesting either a cortical, brainstem, or spinal origin. It also reveals whether myoclonus is positive (jerks that are caused by muscle activation) or negative (jerks that are caused by brief muscle inhibition). In non-generalized myoclonus the EMG burst duration gives an idea of the level of the generator. Repetitive peripheral nerve stimulation is required to record somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) as well as long latency reflexes (LLR), especially the C reflex. The presence of giant cortical SEPs is an indirect argument for cortical myoclonus. Similarly the existence of LLR at rest orientates towards cortical reflex (sensitive to sensory stimuli) myoclonus. Finally EEG–EMG polygraphy is the only test which is able to prove directly the cortical origin of myoclonus. This is the case when focal cortical events precede myoclonus with a fixed delay. These premyoclonic cortical potentials may either be seen directly on raw recordings or require the use of jerk-locked back averaging (JLBA). This technique allows the averaging of the EEG prior to myoclonus onset (as determined by EMG) in order to reveal a premyoclonic spike that otherwise would remain undetected in the global EEG.

Effect of combined variation of force amplitude and rate of force development on the modulation characteristics of muscle activation during rapid isometric aiming force production

Studies of rapid target-directed limb movements have suggested that various control schemes can be defined by the modulation pattern of the muscle activity. The present study was aimed to address the question regarding the extent to which a simultaneous control of force amplitude, and rate of force development influences the modulation characteristics of muscle activation associated with producing rapid isometric aiming forces at the elbow joint. The subjects were instructed to produce rapid isometric force pulses to three different force amplitudes (15, 35, and 55% of their maximal voluntary contractions) under systematically varied force-rate conditions ranging from a fast and accurate force-rate to the fastest force-rate possible. The results showed that larger force amplitudes were achieved by increasing the rate of force development (d F/d t) while the time to peak force remained relatively constant. The magnitude of the electromyographic (EMG) burst systematically increased as a function of force amplitude at all force-rate conditions. The primary finding was that the characteristic of the EMG burst duration associated with different force amplitudes showed a significant difference among force-rate conditions. Under a fast and accurate force-rate condition, the duration of the agonist burst increased linearly with force amplitude. A gradual transition into a fixed duration of the agonist burst then was observed over the remaining three force-rate requirements. With increasingly faster force-rates, there were no changes in the agonist burst duration over three force amplitudes. These results indicate that the combined variations in force amplitude and force-rate examined relative to the most rapid force-rate influence the control patterns for the muscle activation during the fast isometric force production. Changes in the EMG modulation patterns observed are likely due to the constraints imposed by muscle contractile properties.

Sex differences in muscle fatigability and activation patterns of the human quadriceps femoris

The purposes of this study were to determine if the fatigability of the quadriceps femoris varies by biological sex under conditions of normal muscle blood flow and ischemia, and if differences in neuromuscular activation patterns exist. Young men and women (n = 11/group; age 20-39 years) performed a sustained knee extension contraction at 25% of maximal force under conditions of occluded (OCC) and normal muscle blood flow (NON-OCC). Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles, and analyzed for fatigue-induced changes in the amplitude and burst rate and duration (transient changes in motor unit recruitment) of the signal. Additionally, force fluctuations during the sustained contraction were quantified. Women had a longer time to task failure during the NON-OCC task [214.9 +/- 20.5 vs. 169.1 +/- 20.5 (SE) s] (P = 0.02), but not during the OCC task (179.6 + 19.6 vs. 165.2 +/- 19.6 s). EMG data demonstrated sex differences in the neuromuscular activation pattern of the RF muscle and the collectively averaged QF muscles. During the NON-OCC and OCC tasks women achieved a higher relative activation of the RF at task failure than men (NON-OCC: 40.68 +/- 4.57 vs. 24.49 +/- 4.19%; OCC: 36.80 +/- 5.45 vs. 24.41 +/- 2.12%) (P = 0.02 and 0.05, respectively). Also, during both tasks, they demonstrated a greater relative activation at task failure than men when an average of the VL, VM and RF was considered. Additionally, women exhibited a greater coefficient of variation in force fluctuations during the last-third of the fatiguing NON-OCC task (6.21 +/- 0.567 vs. 4.56 +/- 0.56%) (P = 0.001). No sex differences in EMG burst rate or duration were observed, although there was a trend towards greater EMG burst rate of the RF in association with muscle fatigue in the women (P = 0.09). Interestingly, the only neuromuscular activation variable that displayed a significant relationship with the time to task failure was the average relative EMG of the QF at task failure, and this relationship was observed under both experimental blood flow conditions (NON-OCC: r = 0.47, P = 0.03; OCC: r = 0.44, P = 0.04). These results indicate that sex differences in muscle blood flow and/or muscle metabolism are in part responsible for the female advantage in fatigue-resistance. Additionally, these findings suggest that men synergistically recruit the RF compartment to a lesser extent than women in association with muscle fatigue, and that women achieve an overall greater relative activation of the QF at task failure than men. However, the implications of these sex differences in neuromuscular activation patterns during fatiguing muscular contractions on the ability to withstand muscle fatigue (prolonged time to task failure) does not appear to be causally related.