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.

Analysis of Lower Limb Muscle Function in Ergometer Rowing

1988 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-M. John Wilson ◽  
D. Gordon E. Robertson ◽  
J. Peter Stothart
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Gluteus Maximus ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Peak Force ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle

In an effort to seek further understanding of lower limb muscle function in the rowing movement, an electromyographic analysis was undertaken of rowers rowing on a Gjessing ergometer. A strain gauged transducer was inserted in the ergometer linkage between handle and flywheel to detect pulling force. Electrodes were placed on the following lower limb muscles: gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior. Linear envelope electromyograms from each muscle and the force signals were sampled synchronously at 50 Hz. The results indicated that all six muscles were active from catch to finish of the drive phase. Biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, gastrocnemius, and vastus lateralis all began their activity at or just prior to catch and reached maximal excitation near peak force of the stroke. Rectus femoris and tibialis anterior activity began prior to the catch and reached maximal excitation subsequent to peak force. The coactivation of the five leg muscles, of which four were biarticular, included potentially antagonistic actions that would cancel each other’s effects. Clearly, however, other explanations must be considered. Both gastrocnemius and biceps femoris have been shown to act as knee extensors and may do so in the case of the rowing action. Furthermore, rectus femoris may act with unchanging length as a knee extensor by functioning as a rigid link between the pelvis and tibia. In this manner, energy created by the hip extensors is transferred across the knee joint via the isometrically contracting rectus femoris muscle.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Lower Limb Muscle Electromyographic Activity during 400 m Indoor Sprinting among Elite Female Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13177
Author(s):  
Przemysław Pietraszewski ◽  
Artur Gołaś ◽  
Michał Krzysztofik ◽  
Marta Śrutwa ◽  
Adam Zając
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Gluteus Maximus ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gastrocnemius Medialis ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Semg Signals

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to analyze changes in normalized surface electromyography (sEMG) signals for the gastrocnemius medialis, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, tibialis anterior, and vastus lateralis muscles occurring during a 400 m indoor sprint between subsequent curved sections of the track. Ten well-trained female sprinters (age: 21 ± 4 years; body mass: 47 ± 5 kg; body height: 161 ± 7 cm; 400 m personal best: 52.4 ± 1.1 s) performed an all-out 400 m indoor sprint. Normalized sEMG signals were recorded bilaterally from the selected lower limb muscles. The two-way ANOVA (curve × side) revealed no statistically significant interaction. However, the main effect analysis showed that normalized sEMG signals significantly increased in subsequent curves run for all the studied muscles: gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.003), biceps femoris (p < 0.0001), gluteus maximus (p = 0.044), tibialis anterior (p = 0.001), and vastus lateralis (p = 0.023), but differences between limbs were significant only for the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.012). The results suggest that the normalized sEMG signals for the lower limb muscles increased in successive curves during the 400 m indoor sprint. Moreover, the gastrocnemius medialis of the inner leg is highly activated while running curves; therefore, it should be properly prepared for high demands, and attention should be paid to the possibility of the occurrence of a negative adaptation, such as asymmetries.

Different Muscle-Recruitment Strategies Among Elite Breaststrokers

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1061-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brice Guignard ◽  
Bjørn H. Olstad ◽  
David Simbaña Escobar ◽  
Jessy Lauer ◽  
Per-Ludvik Kjendlie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
National Level ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Elite Group ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
High Level

Purpose:To investigate electromyographical (EMG) profiles characterizing the lower-limb flexion-extension in an aquatic environment in high-level breaststrokers.Methods:The 2-dimensional breaststroke kick of 1 international- and 2 national-level female swimmers was analyzed during 2 maximal 25-m swims. The activities of biceps femoris, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were recorded.Results:The breaststroke kick was divided in 3 phases, according to the movements performed in the sagittal plane: push phase (PP) covering 27% of the total kick duration, glide phase (GP) 41%, and recovery phase (RP) 32%. Intrasubject reproducibility of the EMG and kinematics was observed from 1 stroke cycle to another. In addition, important intersubject kinematic reproducibility was noted, whereas muscle activities discriminated the subjects: The explosive Pp was characterized by important muscle-activation peaks. During the recovery, muscles were likewise solicited for swimmers 1 (S1) and 2 (S2), while the lowest activities were observed during GP for S2 and swimmer 3 (S3), but not for S1, who maintained major muscle solicitations.Conclusions:The main muscle activities were observed during PP to perform powerful lower-limb extension. The most-skilled swimmer (S1) was the only 1 to solicit her muscles during GP to actively reach better streamlining. Important activation peaks during RP correspond to the limbs acting against water drag. Such differences in EMG strategies among an elite group highlight the importance of considering the muscle parameters used to effectively control the intensity of activation among the phases for a more efficient breaststroke kick.

Electromyography Activation of the Lower-Limb Muscles Adopting a Physioball and Elastic Band to Stabilize the Knee Joint During Multiple Sets With Submaximal Loads

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 406-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Andrade Paz ◽  
Jason DeFreitas ◽  
Marianna de Freitas Maia ◽  
Jurandir Silva ◽  
Vicente Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Crossover Design ◽  
Elastic Band ◽  
Lower Extremity Injuries ◽  
Control Protocol ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles

Study Design:Crossover design.Context:Excessive valgus and varus force which affected the knee joint during dynamic tasks has been often associated to lower extremity injuries. Strategies to increase the resistance against these asymmetries (eg, the use of a physioball between the knees or elastic bands around the knees) are often applied in rehabilitation and conditioning programs.Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of performing leg press (LP) 45° using a physioball and elastic band over multiple sets with submaximal loads on electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and fatigue indices.Methods:18 trained females volunteered (age: 24.4 ± 2.1 y; height: 168.1 ± 4 cm; body mass: 65.1 ± 4.4 kg) participated in this study. The 10 repetition maximum (RM) loads were determined for the LP. Then, 3 experimental protocols were followed in a randomized crossover design over 3 nonconsecutive days: control protocol—the participants performed 4 LP sets; physioball between knees—4 LP sets were performed with the physioball between the knees; elastic band—4 LP sets were performed with the elastic band involving the knees. Ten repetitions were performed during each set with 70% of 10-RM loads; EMG spectral indices (CRMS and Cf5) was collected from the biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles.Results:Higher levels of CRMS and Cf5 were noted for RF, VL, and VM muscles using the physioball and elastic band when compared with control protocol, respectively. CRMS index of BF muscle was significantly higher using physioball and elastic band protocol versus control condition, respectively.Conclusion:Therefore, both physioball and elastic band can be adopted during LP with the goal to reduce excessive varus and valgus forces, respectively, even performing consecutive sets with submaximal loads. Furthermore, this may be an interesting alternative to increasing quadriceps activation and improving the knee joint stabilization.

scholarly journals Intra-limb modulations of posterior root-muscle reflexes evoked from the lower-limb muscles during isometric voluntary contractions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Saito ◽  
Kento Nakagawa ◽  
Yohei Masugi ◽  
Kimitaka Nakazawa
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Motor Evoked Potential ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Spinal Reflex ◽  
Posterior Root ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Voluntary Contractions ◽  
Muscle Reflexes

AbstractAlthough voluntary muscle contraction modulates spinal reflex excitability of contracted muscles and other muscles located at other segments within a limb (i.e., intra-limb modulation), to what extent corticospinal pathways are involved in intra-limb modulation of spinal reflex circuits remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to identify differences in the involvement of corticospinal pathways in intra-limb modulation of spinal reflex circuits among lower-limb muscles during voluntary contractions. Ten young males performed isometric plantar-flexion, dorsi-flexion, knee extension, and knee flexion at 10% of each maximal torque. Electromyographic activity was recorded from soleus, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris muscles. Motor evoked potentials and posterior root-muscle reflexes during rest and isometric contractions were elicited from the lower-limb muscles using transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, respectively. Motor evoked potential and posterior root-muscle reflex amplitudes of soleus during knee extension were significantly increased compared to rest. The motor evoked potential amplitude of biceps femoris during dorsi-flexion was significantly increased, whereas the posterior root-muscle reflex amplitude of biceps femoris during dorsi-flexion was significantly decreased compared to rest. These results suggest that corticospinal and spinal reflex excitabilities of soleus are facilitated during knee extension, whereas intra-limb modulation of biceps femoris during dorsi-flexion appeared to be inverse between corticospinal and spinal reflex circuits.

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.

Comparison of Estimated and Measured Muscle Activity During Inclined Walking

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Alexander ◽  
Hermann Schwameder
Keyword(s):  
Trend Analysis ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Musculoskeletal Models ◽  
Downhill Walking

While inclined walking is a frequent daily activity, muscle forces during this activity have rarely been examined. Musculoskeletal models are commonly used to estimate internal forces in healthy populations, but these require a priori validation. The aim of this study was to compare estimated muscle activity using a musculoskeletal model with measured EMG data during inclined walking. Ten healthy male participants walked at different inclinations of 0°, ± 6°, ± 12°, and ± 18° on a ramp equipped with 2 force plates. Kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity of the musculus (m.) biceps femoris, m. rectus femoris, m. vastus lateralis, m. tibialis anterior, and m. gastrocnemius lateralis were recorded. Agreement between estimated and measured muscle activity was determined via correlation coefficients, mean absolute errors, and trend analysis. Correlation coefficients between estimated and measured muscle activity for approximately 69% of the conditions were above 0.7. Mean absolute errors were rather high with only approximately 38% being ≤ 30%. Trend analysis revealed similar estimated and measured muscle activities for all muscles and tasks (uphill and downhill walking), except m. tibialis anterior during uphill walking. This model can be used for further analysis in similar groups of participants.

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

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