Maximal Voluntary Contraction Level Research Articles

Balance abilities in high dynamic-sport athletes with different maximal voluntary contraction

Background: Previous studies have shown that muscle force control during submaximal isometric contractions is associated with the ability of dynamic balance to a greater extent than static balance in healthy adults. However, the effect of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) on balance abilities of athletes with high dynamicsport, which are most popular in Thailand, needs to be addressed. Objective: To determine static and balance abilities of high dynamic-sport athletes at different levels of MVC. Materials and methods: Three groups of high dynamic-sport athletes at different levels of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), were voluntarily recruited using a sports matrix classification. Outcome measures comprised the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Correlations between BESS and SEBT and confounding variables comprised of performance time of the Mcgill core endurance tests (Core), single-leg sit-to-stand (STS) test, and flexibility were investigated using Pearson’s correlation. After controlling for Core and STS, a factorial analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine group differences in SEBT and BESS variables. Results: Athletes with high- and low- MVC had significantly different reaching distances in all SEBT directions (all, p<0.05). Significant differences between the high- and the moderate- MVC groups were observed in anterior and lateral directions (p<0.05). A significant difference between the moderate- and the low MVC groups was found in the medial direction (p<0.05). After controlling for Core and STS, the observed group differences disappeared, except in the posterolateral reaching distance between the high- and the low-MVC groups (p<0.05). A significant difference between the high- and the low-MVC groups was only observed in the total foam BESS scores with tandem stance (p<0.05) and then disappeared after adjusting for Core and STS (all, p>0.05). Conclusion: The observed differences in all SEBT directions among groups and the difference in the total BESS scores between the high- and the low- MVC, which were observed only in challenged conditions i.e., tandem-foam stance, suggested that dynamic, but not static balance performance of athletes with high dynamicsport appears to be associated with the magnitude of MVC. Core and STS, but not flexibility, are considered significant contributions to their balance performance.

Effect of physical activity education on shoulder girdle pain and muscle strength in participants with fibromyalgia: a pilot experimental study.

In patients with fibromyalgia, exercise and education are recommended to decrease pain level and improve pain management. The latest scientific evidence recommends to focus interventions on the upper limb. The aim of this pilot study was to compare the immediate effect of physical activity education vs. a control group on pain and muscle capacity in fibromyalgia patients. Fifty-six participants with fibromyalgia were randomized into an experimental group and a control group. The intervention consisted in watching a five-minute video that provided information about fibromyalgia, pain, kinesiophobia and physical activity. The control group watched a neutral five-minute video about beavers in Quebec. Following the video, participants performed a muscular fatigue task consisting of a repeated unilateral shoulder abduction task. At baseline and following the muscular fatigue task, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in shoulder abduction was assessed as well as pain level and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the upper limb. Electromyographic activity was also assessed for upper trapezius and middle deltoid muscles. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the MVC, PPT, and pain level before and after the muscular fatigue task between groups. The experimental group showed a significantly lower increase in pain than the control group in the middle deltoid muscle (p = 0.002) when assessed by verbal pain rating scale. No significant interaction or main effect of Group and Time were observed for the pain level at the upper trapezius and elbow extensor muscles nor for any of the PPT measures. According to electromyographic data, the median frequency values indicate that neither group experienced muscle fatigue during the repeated contraction task. The preliminary results suggest that a short physical activity education video positively influenced middle deltoid pain following repeated abduction in participants with fibromyalgia. Electromyographic analysis showed no evidence of objective muscle fatigue, suggesting that there might be a partial disconnection between the perception of muscle fatigue and the physiological biomarkers associated with muscle fatigue.

Quantifying Plantar Flexor Muscles Stiffness During Passive and Active Force Generation Using Shear Wave Elastography in Individuals With Chronic Stroke

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of paretic and healthy plantar flexor muscles and assesses the spatial distribution of stiffness between the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) during active force generation. MethodsShear wave elastography measurements were conducted on a control group (CNT, n=14; age= 59.9 ± 10.6 years; BMI= 24.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2) and a stroke survivor group (SSG, n = 14; age = 63.2 ± 9.6 years; BMI = 23.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2). Shear modulus within the GM and GL was obtained during passive ankle mobilization at various angles of dorsiflexion (P0= 0°; P1= 10°; P2= 20°; P3= -20° and P4= -30°) and during different levels of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (100%, 30%, 50%, 70%). Muscle activation of GM, GL, and tibialis anterior was also evaluated. ResultsThe results revealed a significant increase in passive stiffness within the paretic plantar flexor muscles under high tension during passive mobilization (p<0.05). Yet, during submaximal and maximal MVC, the paretic plantar flexors exhibited decreased active stiffness levels (p<0.05). A notable discrepancy was found between the stiffness of the GM and GL muscles, with the GM demonstrating greater stiffness from 0° of dorsiflexion in the SSG (p<0.05), and from 10° of dorsiflexion in the CNT (p<0.05). No significant difference in stiffness was observed between the GM and GL muscles during active conditions. ConclusionStroke affects the mechanical properties differently depending on the state of muscle activation. Notably, the distribution of stiffness among synergistic plantar flexor muscles varied in passive condition, while remaining consistent in active condition.

Effect of different ankle joint positions on medial gastrocnemius muscle fiber strains during isometric plantarflexion

Muscle force production is influenced by muscle fiber and aponeurosis architecture. This prospective cohort study utilizes special MR imaging sequences to examine the structure–function in-vivo in the Medial Gastrocnemius (MG) at three-ankle angles (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion—low and high) and two sub-maximal levels of maximum voluntary contraction (25% and 50%MVC). The study was performed on 6 young male participants. Muscle fiber and aponeurosis strain, fiber strain normalized to force, fiber length and pennation angle (at rest and peak contraction) were analyzed for statistical differences between ankle positions and %MVC. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni-adjusted tests were conducted for normal data. A related samples test with Friedman’s 2-way ANOVA by ranks with corrections for multiple comparisons was conducted for non-normal data. The dorsiflexed ankle position generated significantly higher force with lower fiber strain than the plantarflexed positions. Sarcomere length extracted from muscle fiber length at each ankle angle was used to track the location on the Force–Length curve and showed the MG operates on the curve’s ascending limb. Muscle force changes predicted from the F-L curve going from dorsi- to plantarflexion was less than that experimentally observed suggesting other determinants of force changes with ankle position.

THE EFFECTS OF NEUROTICISM ON APPROACH-AVOIDANCE-RELATED MOTOR BEHAVIOR

In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether positive emotional stimuli may affect high and low neuroticism individuals’ maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) level of the biceps brachii muscle, which is considered a motor representation of approach behavior. The sample consisted of 36 right-handed individuals (12 females) ranging in age from 18 to 27 (M= 23.516 [2.120]). Participants completed items from the Big Five Factor Personality Inventory concerning Neuroticism. After completing the psychometric test, we exposed participants to the high valance low arousal pictures selected from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) via Biotrace+ software during the execution of arm flexions. Participants made 2 MVC attempts for each experimental condition lasting 6 seconds and rested 3 minutes between MVC attempts to eliminate the effect of fatigue. Results of Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the percent change of MVC was positively associated with neuroticism (r= .368, p&lt; .05). The results also showed that the percent change of MVC of the high neuroticism group was significantly greater than the percent change of the low neuroticism group [t(36)= -2.449, p= .020]. Results provided some support for our hypothesis. Hence the data demonstrated that positive emotional stimuli decreased the MVC of the biceps brachii muscle in individuals with low neuroticism. On the contrary, MVC levels of high neuroticism individuals remained almost stable in response to positive emotional stimuli.

Cerebral Hemodynamic Changes during Unaffected Handgrip Exercises in Stroke Patients: An fNIRS Study.

This study aimed to assess the effect of the altered strength of the sound limb on the hemodynamics in the affected brain of stroke patients. We recruited 20 stroke patients to detect changes in the HbO concentrations in the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), sensorimotor cortex (SMC), and occipital lobe (OL). We performed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect changes in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations in regions of interest (ROIs) in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres of stroke patients while they performed 20%, 50%, and 80% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) levels of handgrip tasks with the unaffected hands. The results suggest that when patients performed handgrip tasks with 50% of the MVC force, SMC in the affected cerebral hemisphere was strongly activated and the change in the HbO concentration was similar to that of the handgrip with 80% of MVC. When the force was 50% of MVC, the SMC in the affected hemisphere showed a more proportional activation than that at 80% MVC. Overall, this research suggests that stroke patients with a poor upper limb function should perform motor training with their sound hands at 50% of the MVC grip task to activate the ipsilesional hemisphere.

Enhancing rheological muscle models with stochastic processes

Purpose Biological musculoskeletal systems operate under variable conditions. Muscle stiffness, activation signals, and loads change during each movement. The presence of noise and different harmonic components in force production significantly influences the behaviour of the muscular system. Therefore, it is essential to consider these factors in numerical simulations. Methods This study aims to develop a rheological mathematical model that accurately represents the behaviour of the actual muscular system, taking into account the phenomena described by the stochastic model in the form of stationary processes. Stochastic disturbances were applied to simulate variable conditions, in which musculo-skeletal system operates. Numerical simulations were conducted for two dynamic tasks, where we calculated the internal force generated by the system (task 1), and its displacement (task 2). These simulations were performed using two different datasets sourced from the literature. In the next step, simulation results were compared with our own experiment. Results The considered mathematical model was successfully tuned and compared with both the literature data and our own experimental results. During the analysis of muscle model behavior, depending on the data source for model tuning, we observed distinct frequencies characterized by a sine-type pattern and a higher frequency marked by stochastic perturbations. Conclusions The proposed model can be customized to simulate systems of varying sizes, levels of maximum voluntary contraction, and the effects of perturbations, closely resembling real-world data. The presented approach can be applied to simulate the behaviour of the musculoskeletal system as well as of individual muscles.

Takım Sporcularında Üst Ekstremite Propriosepsiyonlarının Karşılaştırılması

Shoulder strength flexibility and proprioception are of great importance for athletes who do overhead activities and throwing sports. In volleyball, basketball, and handball, the shoulder muscles work under heavy conditions under the technical load of the game. In this study, it was aimed to compare the shoulder force senses (FS) of team athletes. A total of 36 healthy individuals, including 14 volleyball, 12 basketball, and 10 handball players, with a mean age of 19.0 ± 2.6833, participated in the study. First, the maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVIC) levels of the participants were measured during shoulder joint flexion, then the 50% MVIC target force value was determined, and a two-trial FS test was performed with this value. The target force value was evaluated by visual feedback from the computer screen. In the data analysis, independent t-tests and ANOVA tests were applied in the SPSS 28.0 for Mac package program. When the results of the research were examined, no statistical significance was found between the measurements of Trial1 and Trial2 in terms of gender. However, when the FS averages are examined, it has been determined that women have a better sense of force than men. It was determined that the median of the MVIC values was 70.35 and the participants were divided into two groups as lower and upper. A statistically significant difference was found between the determined MVIC groups and age, training age, gender, branch, and BMI. No statistically significant difference was found between the MVIC groups and the distance of the sense to the target. The difference in values can be explained by the fact that individuals with low MVIC have a better sense of force than individuals with high MVIC.

Investigating Optimal Noise Level for Imperceptible Vibrotactile Stimulation during a Force Stability Task

Imperceptible vibratory noise stimulation has shown to improve stability for both whole body postural control and simple motor control tasks. Noise stimulation is theorized to elicit a stochastic resonance-like effect within the somatosensory system, but there is disagreement in the literature regarding an optimal stimulation level for motor stability in humans. To explore vibrotactile stimulation, eighteen (18) participants performed an isometric finger flexion task with visual feedback while receiving noise stimulation scaled to varying percentages of their sub-sensory threshold level. Performance was quantified as the root-mean-square (RMS) error between the target force and the actual generated force values. The goals of the study were to determine: 1) whether force stability is significantly better when receiving their custom “principal” stimulation compared to other sub-sensory stimulation levels, and 2) if an individual’s principal stimulation level may be predicted by either their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) or sub-sensory threshold level. A main effect of noise stimulation was observed (p &lt; .001) indicating significantly better performance (lower RMS error) during the force stability task when individualized principal noise stimulation was applied. At the group level, task performance was significantly improved with principal noise stimulation compared to other stimulation levels (p ≤ .019). At the individual level, however, performance at the principal stimulation level was only significantly different than the distribution of errors for other stimulation levels for two individuals. Moderate to strong Spearman correlations (rs = .56 and rs = .65, respectively) suggest principal stimulation level increases with MVC and sub-sensory threshold.

Stress perception among the elderly and its effect on some muscle strength parameters

Background: With improvement in living conditions in the population and the availability of treatments for various communicable and non-communicable diseases, the life expectancy and consequently the elderly population have increased. Stress leads to mental and physical problems. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of stress on muscle functions in the elderly. Materials and Methods: One hundred apparently healthy persons (50 males and 50 females) took part in the study. Perceived stress scale was used to measure their level of stress. Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and endurance time were measured with the help of a handgrip dynamometer. Results: The elderly population sample in our study showed a moderate level of stress, but there was no significant difference between the three age groups under study. Conclusion: A significant positive correlation between MVC and stress level was observed in our study subjects.

Feasibility of Using a Portable MyotonPRO Device to Quantify the Elastic Properties of Skeletal Muscle.

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to (1) calculate the correlation between different tensile force levels and corresponding muscle stiffness both in vitro and in vivo; (2) determine whether muscle stiffness assessed using a MyotonPRO myotonometer can be used to accurately estimate muscle activity level; and (3) evaluate the inter-operator reliability of MyotonPRO-based measurement in assessing biceps brachii muscle (BBM) stiffness.Material/MethodsIn Experiment I, muscle stiffness, as measured using the MyotonPRO, was obtained at 0 N, 2 N, 4 N, 6 N, 8 N, and 10 N of applied force on 6 fresh medial gastrocnemius muscle specimens. In Experiment II, 11 healthy subjects were recruited. BBM stiffness, assessed by the same device, was obtained at different tensile force levels, from 0 to 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). For the reliability test, the score for each subject was quantified by 2 operators (I and II), thrice, at 30-minute intervals on the same day.ResultsA strong correlation was found between the different tensile force levels, which corresponded to muscle stiffness in vitro (r=0.71–0.95, all P<0.05). In vivo, muscle stiffness increased linearly with an increase of the tensile force levels from 0 to 50% of MVC (r=0.99, P=0.00) and there was a significant difference in BBM stiffness among the incremental isometric tasks (F [1.76, 17.60]=91.52, P=0.00). The inter-operator reliability for the measurement of BBM stiffness was good (ICC=0.86).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that muscle stiffness measured using the MyotonPRO is strongly related to muscle activity level and that the MyotonPRO is a feasible tool for quantifying BBM stiffness as well as for quantifying changes in MVC levels.

Shouting strengthens maximal voluntary force and is associated with augmented pupillary dilation

Previous research has demonstrated that human maximal voluntary force is generally limited by neural inhibition. Producing a shout during maximal exertion effort enhances the force levels of maximal voluntary contraction. However, the mechanisms underlying this enhancement effect on force production remain unclear. We investigated the influence of producing a shout on the pupil-linked neuromodulatory system state by examining pupil size. We also examined its effects on the motor system state by examining motor evoked potentials in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation applied over the contralateral primary motor cortex, and by evaluating handgrip maximal voluntary force. Analysis revealed that producing a shout significantly increased handgrip maximal voluntary force, followed by an increase in pupil size and a reduction of the cortical silent period. Our results indicate that producing a shout increased handgrip maximal voluntary force through the enhancement of motor cortical excitability, possibly via the enhancement of noradrenergic system activity. This study provides evidence that the muscular force-enhancing effect of shouting during maximal force exertion is related to both the motor system state and the pupil-linked neuromodulatory system state.

Perimenopausal women show modulation of excitatory and inhibitory neuromuscular mechanisms

BackgroundMenopausal transition exposes women to an early decline in muscle force and motor function. Changes in muscle quality and function, especially in lower limbs, are crucial, as they expose individuals to increased risk of falls. To elucidate some of the related neuromuscular mechanisms, we investigated cortical inhibition and peripheral muscle twitch force potentiation in women during the early and late stages of perimenopause.MethodsParticipants were 63 women aged 48–55 years categorized as early (EP, n = 25) or late (LP, n = 38) perimenopausal according to serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and menstrual diaries. EP women had an irregular menstrual cycle and FSH < 25 IU/L, while LP women had an irregular cycle and > 25 IU/L. We examined motor evoked potential (MEP) and silent period (SP) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in the tibialis anterior muscle at 20%, 40%, and 60% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) levels, and twitch force potentiation in plantar flexors.ResultsEP group showed a longer SP duration in 40% MVC condition and larger motor evoked potential amplitude in 20% MVC condition compared to the LP group. No group difference was detected in twitch force potentiation; however, it correlated negatively with FSH levels. Other factors, such as age, height, body mass index, or physical activity did not explain group differences.ConclusionsOur preliminary results indicate subtle modulation in both TMS-induced inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms and twitch force potentiation in women already in the late perimenopausal stage. This suggests that the reduction of estrogens may have an accelerating role in the aging process of neuromuscular control.

Characteristics of the Electrophysiological Properties of Neuromuscular Motor Units and Its Adaptive Strategy Response in Lower Extremity Muscles for Seniors with Pre-Sarcopenia: A Preliminary Study.

Older adults with sarcopenia, which is an aging-related phenomenon of muscle mass loss, usually suffer from decreases in both strength and functional performance. However, the causality between function loss and physiological changes is unclear. This study aimed to explore the motor unit characteristics of the neurological factors between normal subjects and those with sarcopenia. Five risk-sarcopenia (age: 66.20 ± 4.44), five healthy (age: 69.00 ± 2.35), and twelve young (age: 21.33 ± 1.15) participants were selected. Each participant performed knee extension exercises at a 50% level of maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Next, electromyogram (EMG) signals were collected, and information on each parameter—e.g., motor unit number, recruitment threshold, the slope of the mean firing rate to recruitment threshold, y-intercept, firing rate per unit force, and mean motor unit firing rate (MFR)—was extracted to analyze muscle fiber discrimination (MFD). Meanwhile, force variance was used to observe the stability between two muscle groups. The results suggested that there was no difference between the three groups for motor unit number, recruitment threshold, y-intercept, mean firing rate, and motor unit discrimination (p > 0.05). However, the slope of MFR and firing rate per unit force in the risk-sarcopenia group were significantly higher than in the young group (p < 0.05). Regarding muscle performance, the force variance in the non-sarcopenia group was significantly higher than the young group (p < 0.05), while the risk-sarcopenia group showed a higher trend than the young group. This study demonstrated some neuromuscular characters between sarcopenia and healthy elderly and young people when performing the same level of leg exercise tasks. This difference may provide some hints for discovering aging-related strength and function loss. Future studies should consider combining the in vivo measurement of muscle fiber type to clarify whether this EMG difference is related to the loss of muscle strength or mass before recruiting symptomatic elderly participants for further investigation.

The Effect of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Quadriceps Maximal Voluntary Contraction, Corticospinal Excitability, and Voluntary Activation Levels.

Kristiansen, M, Thomsen, MJ, Nørgaard, J, Aaes, J, Knudsen, D, and Voigt, M. The effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction, corticospinal excitability, and voluntary activation levels. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1540-1547, 2022-Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) has previously been shown to improve maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVIC), possibly through an upregulation of corticospinal excitability. Because muscle strength is an essential part of the performance of many sports, any ergogenic effect of a-tDCS on this parameter could potentially increase performance outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a-tDCS on MVIC, voluntary activation levels (VALs), and corticospinal excitability, assessed by eliciting motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), in untrained subjects. Thirteen subjects completed 2 test sessions in which they received either a-tDCS or sham stimulation for 3 consecutive intervals of 10 minutes, separated by 5-minute breaks. Before and after each stimulation session, transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to elicit MEPs, and femoral nerve stimulation was used to assess VAL by measuring twitch torque during an MVIC test and in a relaxed state. Two-way analyses of variance with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05 were used to test for differences. A significant main effect was identified, as the MVIC pre-test (271.2 ± 56.6 Nm) was on average 4.1% higher compared to the post-test (260.6 ± 61.4 Nm) (p = 0.05). No significant differences were found in MEP, MVIC, or VAL as a result of stimulation type or time. In healthy subjects, the potential for improvement in corticospinal excitability may be negligible, which may in turn explain the lack of improvements in MEP, MVIC, and VAL after a-tDCS. The small decrease in MVIC for both conditions and nonsignificant changes in MEP and VAL do not justify the use of a-tDCS in combination with sporting performance in which the intent is to increase maximal isometric strength performance in the quadriceps muscle of healthy subjects.

Increased resistance towards fatigability in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

PurposeIn facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) fatigue is a major complaint. We aimed to investigate whether during isometric sustained elbow flexions, performance fatigability indexes differ in patients with FSHD with respect to healthy controls.MethodsSeventeen patients with FSHD and seventeen healthy controls performed two isometric flexions of the dominant biceps brachii at 20% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 2 min and then at 60% MVC until exhaustion. Muscle weakness was characterized as a percentage of predicted values. Maximal voluntary strength, endurance time and performance fatigability indices (mean frequency of the power spectrum (MNF), muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) and fractal dimension (FD)), extracted from the surface electromyogram signal (sEMG) were compared between the two groups.ResultsIn patients with FSHD, maximal voluntary strength was 68.7% of predicted value (p < 0.01). Compared to healthy controls, FSHD patients showed reduced MVC (p < 0.001; r = 0.62) and lower levels of performance fatigability, characterized by reduced rate of changes in MNF (p < 0.01; r = 0.56), CV (p < 0.05; 0.37) and FD (p < 0.001; r = 0.51) and increased endurance time (p < 0.001; r = 0.63), during the isometric contraction at 60% MVC.ConclusionA decreased reduction in the slopes of all the considered sEMG parameters during sustained isometric elbow flexions suggests that patients with FSHD experience lower levels of performance fatigability compared to healthy controls.

The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle EMG activity and the initial phase rate of force development during tetanic contractions in the knee extensor muscles of healthy adult males.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been noted as an effective pre- contraction for an increase of neural and muscle factors during twitch contractions. However, it is unknown if this intervention is effective for the rate of force development (RFD), which is the ability to increase joint torque strength as quickly as possible, during tetanic contractions. NMES can be safely used by anyone, but, the strength setting of NMES requires attention so as not to cause pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study investigated whether NMES at less painful levels was effective for RFD during tetanic contractions. We also investigated effect activation by analyzing electromyogram (EMG) and RFD for each phase. Eighteen healthy males were studied. Before and after NMES intervention at 10% or 20% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) level (10%NMES, 20%NMES respectively), EMG activity and the initial phase (30-, 50-, 100-, and 200-msec) RFD were measured. Visual analog scale (VAS) was also measured as an indicator of pain during each NMES. 20%NMES increased EMG activity and 30-, 50-, and 100-msec of RFD during MVIC, but could not improve 200 msec of RFD. However, 10%NMES could be failed to increase all phases RFD, but VAS was lower than that of 20% NMES. These results suggest that muscle pre-contraction using 20%NMES could induce moderate pain, but could be an effective intervention to improve RFD via neural factor activity.

Muscle Fatigue Enhance Beta Band EMG-EMG Coupling of Antagonistic Muscles in Patients With Post-stroke Spasticity.

There is a significant influence of muscle fatigue on the coupling of antagonistic muscles while patients with post-stroke spasticity are characterized by abnormal antagonistic muscle coactivation activities. This study was designed to verify whether the coupling of antagonistic muscles in patients with post-stroke spasticity is influenced by muscle fatigue. Ten patients with chronic hemipare and spasticity and 12 healthy adults were recruited to participate in this study. Each participant performed a fatiguing isometric elbow flexion of the paretic side or right limb at 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) level until exhaustion while surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals were collected from the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles during the sustained contraction. sEMG signals were divided into the first (minimal fatigue) and second halves (severe fatigue) of the contraction. The power and coherence between the sEMG signals of the BB and TB in the alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (15–35 Hz), and gamma (35–60 Hz) frequency bands associated with minimal fatigue and severe fatigue were calculated. The coactivation ratio of the antagonistic TB muscle was also determined during the sustained fatiguing contraction. The results demonstrated that there was a significant decrease in maximal torque during the post-fatigue contraction compared to that during the pre-fatigue contraction in both stroke and healthy group. In the stroke group, EMG-EMG coherence between the BB and TB in the alpha and beta frequency bands was significantly increased in severe fatigue compared to minimal fatigue, while coactivation of antagonistic muscle increased progressively during the sustained fatiguing contraction. In the healthy group, coactivation of the antagonistic muscle showed no significant changes during the fatiguing contraction and no significant coherence was found in the alpha, beta and gamma frequency bands between the first and second halves of the contraction. Therefore, the muscle fatigue significantly increases the coupling of antagonistic muscles in patients with post-stroke spasticity, which may be related to the increased common corticospinal drive from motor cortex to the antagonistic muscles. The increase in antagonistic muscle coupling induced by muscle fatigue may provide suggestions for the design of training program for patients with post-stroke spasticity.

Exploring Localized Muscle Fatigue Responses at Current Upper-Extremity Ergonomics Threshold Limit Values.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate localized muscle fatigue responses at three upper-extremity ergonomics threshold limit value (TLV) duty cycles. Recently, a TLV equation was published to help mitigate excessive development of localized muscle fatigue in repetitive upper limb tasks. This equation predicts acceptable levels of maximal voluntary contraction (% MVC) for a given duty cycle (DC). Experimental validation of this TLV curve has not yet been reported, which can help guide utilization by practitioners. Eighteen participants performed intermittent isometric elbow flexion efforts, in three separate counter-balanced sessions, at workloads defined by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists' (ACGIH) TLV equation: low DC (20% DC, 29.6% MVC), medium DC (40% DC, 19.7% MVC), and high DC (60% DC, 13.9% MVC). Targeted localized muscle fatigue (LMF) of the biceps brachii was tracked across numerous response variables, including decline in strength (MVC), electromyography (EMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MnPF), and several psychophysical ratings. At task completion, biceps MnPF and MVC (strength) were significantly different between each TLV workload, with the high DC condition eliciting the largest declines in MnPF and MVC. Findings demonstrate that working at different DCs along the ACGIH TLV curve may not be equivalent in preventing excessive LMF. Higher DC workloads elicited a greater LMF response across several response variables. High DC work of the upper extremity should be avoided to mitigate excess LMF development. Current TLVs for repetitive upper-extremity work may overestimate acceptable relative contraction thresholds, particularly at higher duty cycles.

Analysis of Different Hand and Finger Grip Patterns using Surface Electromyography and Hand Dynamometry

Recording an Electromyogram (EMG) signal is essential for diagnostic procedures like muscle health assessment and motor neurons control. The EMG signals have been used as a source of control for powered prosthetics to support people to accomplish their activities of daily living (ADLs). This work deals with studying different types of hand grips and finding their relationship with EMG activity. Five subjects carried out four functional movements (fine pinch, tripod grip and grip with the middle and thumb finger, as well as the power grip). Hand dynamometer has been used to record the EMG activity from three muscles namely; Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR), Flexor Digitorum Superficialis (FDS), and Abductor Pollicis Brevis (ABP) with different levels of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) (10-100%). In order to analyze the collected EMG and force data, the mean absolute value of each trial is calculated followed by a calculation of the average of the 3 trials for each grip for each subject across the different MVC levels utilized in the study. Then, the mean and the standard deviation (SD) across all participants (3 males and 2 females) are calculated for FCR, FDS and APB muscles with multiple % MVC, i.e 10, 30, 50, 70 % MVC for each gesture. The results showed that APB muscle has the highest mean EMG activity across all grips, followed by FCR muscle. Furthermore, the grip with the thumb and middle fingers is the grip with the highest EMG activity for 10-70% MVC than the power grip. As for the 100% MVC, thumb and middle fingers grip achieved the highest EMG activity for APB muscle, while the power grip has the highest EMG activity for both FCR and FDS muscles.&#x0D;