scholarly journals Muscle Activation During Selected Strength Exercises in Women With Chronic Neck Muscle Pain

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 703-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars L Andersen ◽  
Michael Kjær ◽  
Christoffer H Andersen ◽  
Peter B Hansen ◽  
Mette K Zebis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Muscle Pain ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Neck Muscle ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Trapezius Myalgia ◽  
Shoulder Muscles ◽  
Strength Exercises

Background and PurposeMuscle-specific strength training has previously been shown to be effective in the rehabilitation of chronic neck muscle pain in women. The aim of this study was to determine the level of activation of the neck and shoulder muscles using surface electromyography (EMG) during selected strengthening exercises in women undergoing rehabilitation for chronic neck muscle pain (defined as a clinical diagnosis of trapezius myalgia).SubjectsThe subjects were 12 female workers (age=30–60 years) with a clinical diagnosis of trapezius myalgia and a mean baseline pain intensity of 5.6 (range=3–8) on a scale of 0 to 9.MethodElectromyographic activity in the trapezius and deltoid muscles was measured during the exercises (lateral raises, upright rows, shrugs, one-arm rows, and reverse flys) and normalized to EMG activity recorded during a maximal voluntary static contraction (MVC).ResultsFor most exercises, the level of muscle activation was relatively high (>60% of MVC), highlighting the effectiveness and specificity of the respective exercises. For the trapezius muscle, the highest level of muscle activation was found during the shrug (102±11% of MVC), lateral raise (97±6% of MVC), and upright row (85±5% of MVC) exercises, but the latter 2 exercises required smaller training loads (3–10 kg) compared with the shrug exercise (20–30 kg).Discussion and ConclusionThe lateral raise and upright row may be suitable alternatives to shrugs during rehabilitation of chronic neck muscle pain. Several of the strength exercises had high activation of neck and shoulder muscles in women with chronic neck pain. These exercises can be used equally in the attempt to achieve a beneficial treatment effect on chronic neck muscle pain.

The Effect of Upper Trapezius Taping on Electromyographic Activity in the Upper and Middle Trapezius Region

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary E. Morin ◽  
David Tiberio ◽  
Gary Austin
Keyword(s):  
Isometric Contraction ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Shoulder Muscles ◽  
Lower Trapezius ◽  
The Right ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Muscular Imbalance

A characteristic of scapulothoracic dysfunction is the tendency for the upper regions of the trapezius to hypertrophy in relation to its middle and lower portions. This creates a muscular imbalance that can alter scapular position and subsequently the length–tension relationship of the shoulder muscles. Tape was applied over the right upper trapezius to inhibit electrical activity in the muscles of 10 uninjured subjects. EMG activity was recorded in two locations of the upper trapezius and one location in the middle to lower trapezius region while each subject maintained an isometric contraction designed to activate both muscles. With the tape applied, there was a statistically significant reduction in EMG activity of the upper trapezius with a corresponding increase in the middle/lower trapezius. The ability of the tape to alter trapezius activity in this fashion may help correct muscular imbalances in the trapezius muscle.

Muscle Activity as a Releasing Factor for Pain in the Shoulder and Neck

Cephalalgia ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (25_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
RH Westgaard
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Experimental Situation ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Occupational Setting ◽  
Autonomic Activation ◽  
Pain Symptoms ◽  
Vocational Studies

In this review, the evidence for trapezius muscle activity as a releasing factor for shoulder and neck pain is considered, mainly on the basis of studies in our laboratory. Two lines of evidence are produced, (i) vocational studies in an occupational setting, where muscle activity pattern is recorded by surface EMG and a clinical examination of the shoulder region of the subjects performed; and (ii) laboratory studies where muscle activity patterns and pain development are recorded in an experimental situation with mental stress and minimal physical activity. The vocational studies demonstrate pain development in the shoulder and neck despite very low muscle activity recorded, making it very difficult to assume muscular involvement for all cases with such complaints. However, the hypothesis of pain development through overexertion of a subpopulation of low-threshold motor units also makes it difficult to draw a firm negative conclusion. The laboratory experiments, on the other hand, show that trapezius activity patterns in response to stress have many features that would be expected if muscle activation induces pain symptoms. It is further noted that the trapezius is the only muscle with activity patterns that show these features. Possibly, we observe the effects of parallel physiological phenomena, e.g., a systemic autonomic activation that induces pain symptoms and also facilitates the motor response of some muscles. Evidence of autonomic activation of trapezius is presented by the observation of low-level, rhythmic EMG activity during sleep. However, this is not firm evidence for the above hypothesis, which at present best serves as a basis for further experimentation.

A validated approach for collecting fine-wire electromyographic recordings in four canine shoulder muscles during highly dynamic tasks

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.L. Cullen ◽  
J.P. Dickey ◽  
S.H.M. Brown ◽  
S.G. Nykamp ◽  
L.R. Bent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Electrode Placement ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Anatomical Landmarks ◽  
Triceps Brachii ◽  
Performance Tasks ◽  
Fine Wire ◽  
Shoulder Muscles

This study investigated the feasibility of obtaining ultrasound-guided intramuscular fine-wire electromyographic (fEMG) recordings from four canine shoulder muscles during highly dynamic activities. Four cadaveric canines were utilised to confirm the appropriate anatomical landmarks and the use of real time ultrasound guidance for electrode placement for four shoulder muscles: Biceps Brachii (BB), Supraspinatus (SP), Infraspinatus (IF), and Triceps Brachii – Long Head (TBLH). Electromyographic activity of the left BB, S P, IF, and TBLH was then recorded in two research dogs while walking and trotting to refine the data collection procedures. Finally, the full experimental protocol was piloted with two client-owned, specially-trained agility dogs, confirming the feasibility of collecting fEMG recordings while performing dynamic, highly-specific agility-related tasks and verifying our EMG amplitude normalisation protocol to enable comparisons across muscles and performance tasks. We present specific guidelines regarding the placement of fEMG electrodes and data collection/normalisation procedures to enable investigations of muscle activation during dynamic activities.

scholarly journals Visceral Manipulation Decreases Pain, Increases Cervical Mobility and Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle in Non-Specific Neck Pain Subjects with Functional Dyspepsia: Two Case Reports

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
Andréia C. O. Silva, PT, MSc ◽  
Claudia S. Oliveira, PT, PhD ◽  
Daniela A. Biasotto-Gonzalez, PT, PhD ◽  
Marco A. Fumagalli, Eng, PhD ◽  
Fabiano Politti, PT, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Emg Signal ◽  
Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽  
One Year

Background and Purpose: The lack of clear knowledge about the etiology of nonspecific neck pain (NS-NP) strengthens the need for other mech-anisms, still poorly described in the literature, to be investigated. Therefore, a quantitative analysis of two cases of NS-NP in subjects with functiona dyspepsia was conducted in order to verify the immediate and seven-day postintervention effects of visceral manipulation (VM) to the stomach and liver on neck pain, cervical range of motion (ROM), and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius muscle. Case Description: Case A was an 18-year-old female with a complaint of nonspecific neck pain for one year, with reported pain on waking, momentary intermittent pain, and occasional symptoms of paresthesia in the upper limbs. Case B was a 25-year-old female with a complaint of cervical pain for one year, accompanied by pain in the unilateral temporomandibular joint, and medial thoracic region. Both cases presented functional dyspepsia.Outcomes: The results demonstrated (sub-jects A and B, respectively) a general increase in cervical ROM (range: 12.5% to 44.44%) and amplitude of the EMG signal (immediately postintervention: 57.62 and 20.78; post seven days: 53.54% and 18.83%), and an increase in muscle fiber conduction velocity immediately postintervention (4.44% and 7.44%) and a de-crease seven days postintervention (25.25% and 21.18%). For pain, a decrease was observed immediately postintervention (23.07% and 76.92%) and seven days postintervention (100% for both subjects). Discussion: A single VM provided important clinical improvement in neck pain, cervical spine range of motion, and EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle, immediately and seven days postintervention in two NS-NP subjects with func-tional dyspepsia.

scholarly journals ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS MUSCLES DURING SIT-TO-STAND IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE: A META-ANALYSIS

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimple, Antiya ◽  
Suvarna Ganvir
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Depth Analysis

Aims:-To provide a comprehensive information about analysis of activation of various muscles during Sit-to-Stand in patients with stroke. To determine if there exists any common pattern of muscle activation. To give direction to future studies regarding the muscles to be investigated during Sit-to-Stand. Methods-  A  literature  search  was  performed  with  help  of  the  most commonly used database i.e. PubMed to select the studies related to electromyographic activities of various lower extremity, trunk and upper extremity muscles during Sit-to-Stand activity, published till 2016. The Inclusion criteria for the study were Prospective or retrospective cohort studies, studies that included only participants with stroke leading to hemiparesis and/or along with healthy participants as control group and studies that measured the EMG activity in either trunk muscles and/or limb muscles during sit to stand. The exclusion criteria were if their population of interest also included patients with other neurological conditions and studies in any language other than English. Two independent investigators assessed the studies based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.  Keywords used during the search were Electromyography, Stroke, Sit-to-Stand. The studies were thoroughly evaluated with respect to the Sit-to-Stand procedure and variety of muscles that were investigated through EMG analysis. Results: With the help of given keywords, abstracts/articles of 21 studies were retrieved from the database. After initial screening of the abstracts 12 studies were selected for in depth analysis. Various lower extremity muscles including Tibialis Anterior, Soleus, Quadriceps, Vastusmedialis, Gluteus Maximus were investigated in the studies. In 2 studies, Trunk muscles were investigated whereas in one study Triceps muscle activity was analyzed during Sit-to Stand activity in patients with stroke. Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that the activity of Tibialis Anterior muscle was investigated more frequently by various researchers followed by the activity of Soleus and Quadriceps muscle.

scholarly journals Electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in women with osteoporosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selma Siéssere ◽  
Luiz Gustavo de Sousa ◽  
Naira de Albuquerque Lima ◽  
Marisa Semprini ◽  
Paulo Batista de Vasconcelos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Masticatory Muscles ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Bite Force ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Stomatognathic System ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Skeletal Bone

The purpose of this study was to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) activity and the maximal molar bite force in women diagnosed with osteoporosis in the maxillary and mandibular regions, considering the habits and conditions that lead to development of generalized skeletal bone loss, including on face bones, can disturb the functional harmony of the stomatognathic system. Twenty-seven women with mandibular and maxillary osteoporosis and 27 healthy controls volunteered to participate in the study. A 5-channel electromyographer was used. Muscle activity was evaluated by means of EMG recordings of the masticatory musculature (masseter and temporalis muscles, bilaterally) during the following clinical conditions: rest (5 s); right and left lateral excursions (5 s); protrusion (5 s); maximal dental clenching on Parafilm™ (4 s) and maximal voluntary contraction (4 s). This latter clinical condition was used as the normalization factor of the sample data. It was observed that individuals with osteoporosis presented greater EMG activity when maintaining mandible posture conditions and less activity during dental clenching and when obtaining maximal molar bite force. It may be concluded that facial osteoporosis can interfere on the patterns of masticatory muscle activation and maximal bite force of the stomatognathic system.

scholarly journals Exploring the Interaction Between Head-Supported Mass, Posture, and Visual Stress on Neck Muscle Activation

2021 ◽  
pp. 001872082110191
Author(s):  
Peter Le ◽  
Charles A. Weisenbach ◽  
Emily H. L. Mills ◽  
Lanie Monforton ◽  
Micah J. Kinney
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Neck Muscle ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Simple Task ◽  
Engineering Controls ◽  
Physical Loading ◽  
Visual Stress ◽  
The Right

Objective Assess neck muscle activity for varying interactions between helmet, posture, and visual stress in a simulated “helo-hunch” posture. Background Military aviators frequently report neck pain (NP). Risk factors for NP include head-supported mass, awkward postures, and mental workload. Interactions between these factors could induce constant low-level muscle activation during helicopter flight and better explain instances of NP. Method Interactions between physical loading (helmet doffed/donned), posture (symmetric/asymmetric), and visual stress (low/high contrast) were studied through neck muscle electromyography (EMG), head kinematics, subjective discomfort, perceived workload, and task performance. Subjects ( n = 16) performed eight 30-min test conditions (varied physical loading, posture, and visual stress) while performing a simple task in a simulated “helo-hunch” seating environment. Results Conditions with a helmet donned had fewer EMG median frequency cycles (which infer motor unit rotation for rest/recovery, where more cycles are better) in the left cervical extensor and left sternocleidomastoid. Asymmetric posture (to the right) resulted in higher normalized EMG activity in the right cervical extensor and left sternocleidomastoid and resulted in less lateral bending compared with neutral across all conditions. Conditions with high visual stress also resulted in fewer EMG cycles in the right cervical extensor. Conclusion A complex interaction exists between the physical load of the helmet, postural stress from awkward postures, and visual stress within a simulated “helo-hunch” seating environment. Application These results provide insight into how visual factors influence biomechanical loading. Such insights may assist future studies in designing short-term administrative controls and long-term engineering controls.

Upper Extremity and Cue Kinematics, and Shoulder Muscle Electromyographic Activity of Novus Players of Different Skill Levels

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Viire Talts ◽  
Jaan Ereline ◽  
Tatjana Kums ◽  
Mati Pääsuke ◽  
Helena Gapeyeva
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Movement Analysis ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Elbow Flexion ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Recruitment Pattern ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Analysis System

Our aim with the current study was to compare upper extremity and cue kinematics, and electromyographic (EMG) activation of shoulder muscles during novus (a special form of billiards) shots of different difficulty levels. Ten proficient and 10 less-skilled novus players performed 3 types of novus shots (penalties, cuts, rebounds) 10 times each. During each shot, elbow flexion and cue–forearm angles (using a movement analysis system), and surface EMG activity of the trapezius, posterior, and lateral deltoid muscles of each subject’s dominant side, were measured. Data were compared between more- and less-skilled players, and successful compared with unsuccessful shots. Elbow flexion angle among the more-skilled players was 24.5% larger (P < .001) during unsuccessful cut shots than successful ones. The more-skilled players performed successful penalty and rebound shots with 26.8% and 49.8% lower (P < .01 and P < .001, respectively) EMG activity of the trapezius muscle than unsuccessful ones. Less-skilled players’ shots were characterized by higher EMG activity in the trapezius muscle. The obtained findings suggest that the more-skilled novus players had acquired a different muscle recruitment pattern than less-skilled players.

Effect of physical training on function of chronically painful muscles: a randomized controlled trial

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 1796-1801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars L. Andersen ◽  
Christoffer H. Andersen ◽  
Mette K. Zebis ◽  
Pernille K. Nielsen ◽  
Karen Søgaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strength Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Maximal Activity ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Shoulder Abduction ◽  
Specific Strength ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Trapezius Myalgia

Pain and tenderness of the upper trapezius muscle is frequent in several occupational groups. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of three contrasting interventions on muscle function and pain in women with trapezius myalgia. A group of employed women ( n = 42) with a clinical diagnosis of trapezius myalgia participated in a 10-wk randomized controlled intervention: specific strength training of the neck/shoulder muscles, general fitness training performed as leg bicycling, or a reference intervention without physical activity. Torque and electromyography (EMG) were recorded during maximal shoulder abductions in an isokinetic dynamometer at −60, 60, 0, and 180°/s. Furthermore, a submaximal reference contraction with only the load of the arms was performed. Significant changes were observed only in the specific strength training group. Pain decreased by 42–49% ( P < 0.01–0.05). Whereas the EMG activity of the unaffected deltoid remained unchanged during the maximal contractions, an increase in EMG amplitude (42–86%; P < 0.001–0.05) and median power frequency (19%; P < 0.001) were observed for the painful trapezius muscle. Correspondingly, torque increased by 18–53% ( P < 0.001–0.05). EMG during the reference contraction decreased significantly for both the trapezius and deltoid muscles ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, specific strength training relieves pain and increases maximal activity specifically of the painful trapezius muscle, leading to increased shoulder abduction strength in women with trapezius myalgia. Furthermore, decreased relative workload may indirectly augment pain reduction.

Motor Patterns in Human Walking and Running

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 3426-3437 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cappellini ◽  
Y. P. Ivanenko ◽  
R. E. Poppele ◽  
F. Lacquaniti
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Human Locomotion ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Step Cycle ◽  
Motor Patterns ◽  
Leg Muscles ◽  
Shoulder Muscles ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Muscle Activations

Despite distinct differences between walking and running, the two types of human locomotion are likely to be controlled by shared pattern-generating networks. However, the differences between their kinematics and kinetics imply that corresponding muscle activations may also be quite different. We examined the differences between walking and running by recording kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activity in 32 ipsilateral limb and trunk muscles during human locomotion, and compared the effects of speed (3–12 km/h) and gait. We found that the timing of muscle activation was accounted for by five basic temporal activation components during running as we previously found for walking. Each component was loaded on similar sets of leg muscles in both gaits but generally on different sets of upper trunk and shoulder muscles. The major difference between walking and running was that one temporal component, occurring during stance, was shifted to an earlier phase in the step cycle during running. These muscle activation differences between gaits did not simply depend on locomotion speed as shown by recordings during each gait over the same range of speeds (5–9 km/h). The results are consistent with an organization of locomotion motor programs having two parts, one that organizes muscle activation during swing and another during stance and the transition to swing. The timing shift between walking and running reflects therefore the difference in the relative duration of the stance phase in the two gaits.

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