scholarly journals Assessment of core and lower limb muscles for static/dynamic balance in the older people: An ultrasonographic study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 881-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Özden Özkal ◽  
Murat Kara ◽  
Semra Topuz ◽  
Bayram Kaymak ◽  
Aysun Bakı ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Diaphragm Muscle ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles

Abstract Background sufficient research has not been conducted to determine the role of core and lower limb muscles in providing balance in older people. Objective to investigate the relationships between the thickness of core/lower limb muscles and static/dynamic balance in older people. Methods the study included a total of 68 older people (≥ 65 years) and 68 gender-matched young subjects, aged 20–40 years. Balance, knee proprioception sense, regional and total muscle measurements and grip strength were assessed using a force platform system, isokinetic dynamometer, ultrasound imaging, bioelectrical impedance analysis and Jamar dynamometer, respectively. Results all the static (postural sway) parameters were higher and all the dynamic (limits of stability) parameters were lower in the older adults compared to the young adults (all P<0.05). The diaphragm was thicker and all the other muscles (except for multifidus and tibialis anterior) were thinner in the older group (all P<0.05). A higher error of knee proprioception sense was determined at 45 and 70 degrees in the older subjects (both P<0.001). According to the multivariate analyses, significant predictors for balance were age, gender, height, and rectus femoris, vastus intermedius and diaphragm muscle thicknesses in the older group, and age, gender, height, grip strength, and rectus abdominis, internal oblique, longissimus, tibialis anterior and soleus muscle thicknesses in the young group (all P<0.05). Conclusions the thickness of core/lower limb muscles are important determinants of balance in both older and young adults. These findings could provide a strong rationale for strengthening specific (abdominal and quadriceps) muscles to prevent falls and regional sarcopenia, and to improve posture/balance in the older population. Clinical trial registration number NCT03791047 Ethics committee approval Hacettepe University Non-interventional Clinical Research Ethics Board. Decision number:GO 18/506-39

scholarly journals Fatigability of Lower Limb Muscles during Walking in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Nicole Marquis ◽  
Laurent Bouyer ◽  
Richard Debigare ◽  
Louis Laviolette ◽  
Cynthia Brouillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Muscle Groups

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) perceive much less quadriceps fatigue during walking compare to cycling. Whether other lower limb muscles could develop fatigue during walking is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the electrical activity of five lower limb muscles during a 6-minute walking test in 11 healthy subjects and in 10 patients with COPD matched for age and activity level. Methods: Surface electromyographic (EMG) data were recorded in five muscle groups (soleus, gastrocnemius (GM), tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris) of the right leg during the walking test. The EMG median frequency of all contractions at minute 2 and 6 were averaged for each muscle group. Ventilation, oxygen consumption and CO2 production were also continuously measured throughout the test. Results: Although the walking distance (494 ± 116 vs. 625 ± 50 m; P < 0.01) and the walking speed (1.7 ± 0.4 vs. 2.1 ± 1.2 m·s-1; P < 0.01) were reduced in COPD compared with controls, patients worked at a higher percentage of their estimated maximum voluntary ventilation during the test (118 ± 32 % vs. 51 ± 14 %; P < 0.01). The time course of the EMG median frequency from minute 2 to 6 differed between patients with COPD and healthy controls for the soleus, GM and tibialis anterior suggesting the occurrence of a muscle fatiguing profile in COPD. Conclusions: Evidences of a fatiguing profile was found in three lower limb muscle groups during walking in COPD despite a slower walking speed compared to healthy controls.

scholarly journals Muscle co-contraction of ankle joint in young adults in functional reach test at different distances

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Iwamoto _ ◽  
Wataru Kawakami ◽  
Fumiya Miyoshi ◽  
Ryosuke Takeuchi ◽  
Yasutaka Takeuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Functional Reach ◽  
Functional Reach Test

Purpose: It has been reported that young people may be able to modulate simultaneous contraction depending on the task. The functional reach test (FRT) is widely used as a method to assess dynamic balance. Although there are several reports on the center of pressure (COP), there are few reports on muscle activity and no studies focus on muscle co-contraction during FRT at different distances. We aimed to clarify how the differences in reach distance affect the activity of the lower limb muscles by measuring COP and muscle activity during FRT at different distances. Methods: Eighteen healthy young adults performed FRT at different distances (maximum, 75%, and 50%) and measured COP and muscle activity of tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL). Postural control variables were calculated from the COP, and mean muscle activity and muscle co-contraction index (CI) were calculated from muscle activity. Each variable was compared between the reach distance conditions and the correlation between the variable was examined. Results: Most COP variables were significantly higher as the reach distance increased. A significant increase in muscle activity and CI was similarly observed with increasing distance. There was no consistent correlation between COP variables and CI, but there was a positive correlation between TA muscle activity and CI. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that the young people used task-specific strategies by modulating lower limb muscle contraction and varying the degree of simultaneous muscle contraction during reaching movements at different distances.

scholarly journals Timing and Modulation of Activity in the Lower Limb Muscles During Indoor Rowing: What Are the Key Muscles to Target in FES-Rowing Protocols?

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1666
Author(s):  
Taian M. Vieira ◽  
Giacinto Luigi Cerone ◽  
Costanza Stocchi ◽  
Morgana Lalli ◽  
Brian Andrews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Sample Surface ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Stimulation Of

The transcutaneous stimulation of lower limb muscles during indoor rowing (FES Rowing) has led to a new sport and recreation and significantly increased health benefits in paraplegia. Stimulation is often delivered to quadriceps and hamstrings; this muscle selection seems based on intuition and not biomechanics and is likely suboptimal. Here, we sample surface EMGs from 20 elite rowers to assess which, when, and how muscles are activated during indoor rowing. From EMG amplitude we specifically quantified the onset of activation and silencing, the duration of activity and how similarly soleus, gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and medialis, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles were activated between limbs. Current results revealed that the eight muscles tested were recruited during rowing, at different instants and for different durations. Rectus and biceps femoris were respectively active for the longest and briefest periods. Tibialis anterior was the only muscle recruited within the recovery phase. No side differences in the timing of muscle activity were observed. Regression analysis further revealed similar, bilateral modulation of activity. The relevance of these results in determining which muscles to target during FES Rowing is discussed. Here, we suggest a new strategy based on the stimulation of vasti and soleus during drive and of tibialis anterior during recovery.

scholarly journals Comparison of muscle activity, strength and balance, before and after a 6-month training using the FIFA11+ program (part 2)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Oshima ◽  
Junsuke Nakase ◽  
Anri Inaki ◽  
Takafumi Mochizuki ◽  
Yasushi Takata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Sports Injuries ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Knee Flexor ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Standardized Uptake Values ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Before And After

AbstractPurposeSports injuries can significantly impact an athlete’s career, as well as impose a high financial burden on teams. Therefore, the prevention of sports injuries is an essential aspect of sports medicine. To evaluate the effects of a 6-month training period, using part 2 of the FIFA11+, on the activation and strength of core and lower limb muscles, and on static and dynamic balance performance.Materials and MethodsEight college male soccer players, 20.4±0.5 years old, completed the FIFA11+ program (part 2) at least 3x per week for 6 months. The following variables were measured, before and after the 6-month training program: activity of more than 30 muscles (with a focus on core and lower limb muscles), measured using the standardized uptake values of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) on positron emission tomography (PET-CT); isokinetic strength of the knee flexor and extensor and hip abductor muscles, measured at 60°/s; static balance over a 60-s period, measured using a Gravicorder; and dynamic balance, measured using the Star Excursion Balance Test.ResultsTraining improved activity levels of core (obliquus externus abdominis and erector spinae) and lower limb (tibialis anterior of the both legs) muscles (p≤0.03), corrected the between-limb difference in activation of the semimembranosus and improved dynamic balance, with a greater training effect on the non-dominant limb (p≤0.02). Training also improved knee flexor force of the non-dominant lower limb (p=0.02).ConclusionRoutine performance of the FIFA11+ (part 2) program can improve activation of core and lower limb muscles, with a concomitant improvement in dynamic balance.

Muscle dependency of corticomuscular coherence in upper and lower limb muscles and training-related alterations in ballet dancers and weightlifters

2010 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 1086-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junichi Ushiyama ◽  
Yuji Takahashi ◽  
Junichi Ushiba
Keyword(s):  
Sensorimotor Cortex ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Spinal Motoneurons ◽  
Ballet Dancers ◽  
Corticomuscular Coherence ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles

It has been well documented that the 15- to 35-Hz oscillatory activity of the sensorimotor cortex shows coherence with the muscle activity during weak to moderate steady contraction. To investigate the muscle dependency of the corticomuscular coherence and its training-related alterations, we quantified the coherence between electroencephalogram (EEG) from the sensorimotor cortex and rectified electromyogram (EMG) from five upper limb (first dorsal interosseous, flexor carpi radialis, extensor carpi radialis, biceps brachii, triceps brachii) and four lower limb muscles (soleus, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, rectus femoris), while maintaining a constant force level at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction of each muscle, in 24 untrained, 12 skill-trained (ballet dancers), and 10 strength-trained (weightlifters) individuals. Data from untrained subjects demonstrated the muscle dependency of corticomuscular coherence. The magnitude of the EEG-EMG coherence was significantly greater in the distally located lower limb muscles, such as the soleus and tibialis anterior, than in the upper or other lower limb muscles in untrained subjects ( P < 0.05). These results imply that oscillatory coupling between the sensorimotor cortex and spinal motoneurons during steady contraction differs among muscles, according to the functional role of each muscle. In addition, the ballet dancers and weightlifters showed smaller EEG-EMG coherences than the untrained subjects, especially in the lower limb muscles ( P < 0.05). These results indicate that oscillatory interaction between the sensorimotor cortex and spinal motoneurons can be changed by long-term specialized use of the muscles and that this neural adaptation may lead to finer control of muscle force during steady contraction.

scholarly journals Comparison of muscle activity, strength, and balance, before and after a 6-month training using the FIFA11+ program (part 2)

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949901989154
Author(s):  
Takeshi Oshima ◽  
Junsuke Nakase ◽  
Anri Inaki ◽  
Takafumi Mochizuki ◽  
Yasushi Takata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Knee Flexor ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Standardized Uptake Values ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Before And After

Background: Sports injury prevention training programs have been reported to be effective in decreasing the incidence of injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-month training period, using part 2 of the FIFA11+ program (the Fédération Internationale de Football), on the activation and strength of core and lower limb muscles and on static and dynamic balance performance. Study Design: Case series; level of evidence, 4. Methods: Eight college male soccer players, aged mean 20.4 ± 0.5 years old, completed the FIFA11+ program at least three times per week for 6 months. The following variables were measured both before and after the 6-month training program: activities of more than 30 muscles (core and lower limb muscles), measured using the standardized uptake values of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose on positron emission tomography; isokinetic strength of the knee flexor and extensor and hip abductor muscles, measured at 60° s−1; static balance over a 60-s period, measured using a gravicorder; and dynamic balance, measured using the star excursion balance test. Results: Training improved the activity levels of core (obliquus externus abdominis and erector spinae) and lower limb (tibialis anterior) muscles ( p ≤ 0.03), corrected the between-limb difference in the activation of the semimembranosus and improved dynamic balance, with a greater training effect on the nondominant limb ( p ≤ 0.02). Training also improved the knee flexor force of the nondominant lower limb ( p = 0.02). Conclusion: Routine performance of the FIFA11+ program can improve the activation of core and lower limb muscles, with a concomitant improvement in dynamic balance. These improvements could be beneficial in lowering the risk of sports-related injuries.

scholarly journals Muscle-Specific Modulation of Spinal Reflexes in Lower-Limb Muscles during Action Observation with and without Motor Imagery of Walking

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaneko ◽  
Masugi ◽  
Usuda ◽  
Yokoyama ◽  
Nakazawa
Keyword(s):  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Spinal Reflexes ◽  
Spinal Reflex ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Combined Processes ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles

Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) are useful techniques in neurorehabilitation. Previous studies have reported that AO and MI facilitate corticospinal excitability only in those muscles that are active when actually performing the observed or imagined movements. However, it remained unclear whether spinal reflexes modulate multiple muscles simultaneously. The present study focused on AO and MI of walking and aimed to clarify their effects on spinal reflexes in lower-limb muscles that are recruited during actual walking. Ten healthy males participated in the present study. Spinal reflex parameters evoked by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation were measured from five lower-limb muscles during rest, AO, and AO combined with MI (AO + MI) conditions. Our results showed that spinal reflexes were increased in the tibialis anterior and biceps femoris muscles during AO and in the tibialis anterior, soleus, and medial gastrocnemius muscles during AO + MI, compared with resting condition. Spinal reflex parameters in the vastus medialis muscle were unchanged. These results indicate the muscle-specific modulations of spinal reflexes during AO and AO + MI. These findings reveal the underlying neural activities induced by AO, MI, and their combined processes.

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