Neuromuscular Control Mechanisms and Strategy in Arm Movements of Attempted Supranormal Speed

Abstract

Rapid, goal-directed elbow flexion movements were examined under interacting conditions of inertial loading and resistance to movement initiation. The resistance ceased when movement began, resulting in quick release movements. Inertial load slowed the movement and lengthened the agonist and antagonist electromyographic (EMG) burst durations. The quick release resulted in larger accelerations but only minimal changes in peak velocity. Most aspects of the triphasic EMG pattern were little affected by the quick release, but the build up of agonist EMG and the corresponding rate of static force development differed markedly between load and quick release conditions. These and other data suggest that the specific pattern of agonist muscle activation is set according to neuromuscular constraints of the antagonist muscle and the expectation of movement dynamics.     

Rapid Movement Kinematic and Electromyographic Control Characteristics in Males and Females

Abstract

Maximally fast, self-terminated, elbow flexion movements were performed by 10 male and 10 female college-aged subjects to assess potential gender-related differences in kinematics and the triphasic electromyographic (EMG) pattern. The subjects were instructed to move their forearms as fast as possible through 90° of elbow flexion range of motion and stop as sharply as possible at the terminal point. An electromagnet, set to 0, 40, and 70% of each subject's maximal isometric torque, provided resistance to movement initiation and resulted in quick release movements. Surface EMG was collected from the biceps b. and triceps b. muscles. Results indicated that the males had faster movements and accelerations under all conditions. EMG records indicated that the males had faster rates of EMG rise, particularly in the triceps b., and more tightly coupled reciprocal activation. The quick release afforded faster accelerations for both groups, yet only the males moved faster throughout the full range of motion. Following the quick release, the males differed from the females by increasing the triceps b. EMG amplitude. Hence, the males were able to shorten movement time in quick release movements by increasing triceps b. activation and, thus, braking ability. These results suggest that the females were more neurally constrained than the males with respect to rapid EMG activation of the triceps b., resulting in limits in the braking process.     

Agonist and Antagonist Muscle EMG Activity Pattern Changes with Skill Acquisition

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the modifications in the control of the biceps brachii (agonist) and triceps brachii (antagonist) muscles during the learning of two elbow flexion tasks in sixteen college-age women. A positioning and a coincidence task were each performed at 40° and 200° per second angular velocity while bipolar surface electrodes recorded the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the muscles involved. Data on the EMG activity, angular kinematics, and timing and angular displacement error were quantified and subjected to statistical analyses. The results of the error analyses indicated that subjects did learn the various tasks over the 120 trials. Because there were no significant changes in the angular velocity patterns over trials, the EMG activity modifications are suggested to reflect differences in the control of the muscles monitored during the movements. In addition, EMG activity pattern modifications which occurred in discrete portions of the movements in both muscles indicate an increased cocontraction of the opposing muscles as subjects learned the tasks. Temporal periods in which modifications were observed appear to represent the critical periods in each movement task.     

Trial-by-trial analysis or averaging: implications for electromyographic models of rapid limb control

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

Electromyography activities for shoulder muscles over various movements on different torque changes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the patterns of shoulder muscle activation and joint torques during maximal effort eccentric contractions with shoulder extension, abduction, and diagonal movements on the isokinetic device. Participants in this investigation were nine men and four women with no history of shoulder injury or disorders. They all participated in overhead sports at least three days a week, and volunteered to participate in this study for shoulder isokinetic muscle strength testing. They performed eccentric muscle action with shoulder flexion, abduction, and diagonal movements at velocities of 60 rad·s^?1 and 180 rad· s^?1, which was followed alternately by passive shoulder flexion, abduction and diagonal movement at a velocity of 30 rad· s^?1, and total range of motion was standardised to 90°. Electromyography (EMG) and torque values were calculated to every 10°, except for the start and end 5° during each task. During each test, the isokinetic force output and muscle activation were synchronised. EMG data were normalised by percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). EMG signals were recorded by surface EMG from the anterior deltoid (AD), middle deltoid (MD), posterior deltoid (PD), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and biceps brachii (BB) muscles during this test. All of the muscle patterns were significantly decreased at the last compared with the initial part during eccentric shoulder flexion movement, except for the BB muscle (P < 0.05). AD and BB muscles played a similar role when peak torque was generated under load during eccentric muscle action with varying shoulder movements. PD and UT muscle activities were significantly lower than the other muscle activities during eccentric contraction with shoulder flexion and abduction movements, and the PD and UT muscles played a significant role in conjunction with MD and MT muscles in varying degrees during eccentric contraction with shoulder diagonal movements at 180 rad·s^?1 (P < 0.05). Our study demonstrated that MT muscle activity was greatly influenced when torque values showed a peak moment under load during maximum effort, eccentric contraction with shoulder abduction and diagonal movements. However, the MD, PD, UT, and MT muscle activities had no great influence when peak torque was generated under load during eccentric muscle action with shoulder diagonal movement at high velocity. The present study suggested that varying eccentric muscle activity patterns may be needed to investigate proper training and functional contributions of upper extremity muscles to stabilisation of the shoulder joint when peak torque was generated under load.     

EMG amplitude and spatial assimilation effects in rapid bimanual movement.

To investigate whether spatial assimilation effects are due to premovement control processes or postinitiation feedback processes, surface EMG recordings were made from two agonists and one antagonist during both single and dual movements involving the upper limb(s). In the single condition, subjects (N = 7) made 25 Short (20 degrees) and 25 Long (60 degrees) reversal movements using levers in the sagittal plane, in 195 ms to reversal. In the dual condition, both Short and Long movements were performed simultaneously for 75 trials, the last 25 of which were without knowledge of results. Subjects overshot the Short target in the dual condition, showing spatial assimilation effects. Overshooting was associated with increased peak EMG in the initial (premovement) agonist burst, supporting the notion that spatial assimilation effects are modulated via premovement control processes.     

Precision of Knowledge of Results: Consideration of the Accuracy Requirements Imposed by the Task

Abstract

To investigate whether spatial assimilation effects are due to premovement control processes or postinitiation feedback processes, surface EMG recordings were made from two agonists and one antagonist during both single and dual movements involving the upper limb(s). In the single condition, subjects (N=7) made 25 Short (20°) and 25 Long (60°) reversal movements using levers in the sagittal plane, in 195 ms to reversal. In the dual condition, both Short and Long movements were performed simultaneously for 75 trials, the last 25 of which were without knowledge of results. Subjects overshot the Short target in the dual condition, showing spatial assimilation effects. Overshooting was associated with increased peak EMG in the initial (premovement) agonist burst, supporting the notion that spatial assimilation effects are modulated via premovement control processes.     

不同身体姿势与运动节奏对男子游泳选手腹直肌训练效果影响的肌电特征分析

对15名男子游泳选手腹直肌在仰卧起坐练习下肌电特征进行分析。研究结果表明:(1)无论是向心收缩过程,还是离心收缩过程,斜靠仰卧起坐姿势时,锻炼效果最好;(2)在仰卧起坐动作练习时,采用斜靠仰卧起坐动作且使用加速起(快起),减速落(慢落)的运动节奏,对腹直肌训练效果较好;(3)提出了练习仰卧起坐动作的动作要领。     

Dynamics of the martial arts high front kick

Fast unloaded movements (i.e. striking, throwing and kicking) are typically performed in a proximo‐distal sequence, where initially high proximal segments accelerate while distal segments lag behind, after which proximal segments decelerate while distal segments accelerate. The aims of this study were to examine whether proximal segment deceleration is performed actively by antagonist muscles or is a passive consequence of distal segment movement, and whether distal segment acceleration is enhanced by proximal segment deceleration. Seventeen skilled taekwon‐do practitioners were filmed using a high‐speed camera while performing a high front kick. During kicking, EMG recordings were obtained from five major lower extremity muscles. Based on the kinematic data, inverse dynamics computations were performed yielding muscle moments and motion‐dependent moments. The results indicated that thigh deceleration was caused by motion‐dependent moments arising from lower leg motion and not by active deceleration. This was supported by the EMG recordings. Lower leg acceleration was caused partly by a knee extensor muscle moment and partly by a motion‐dependent moment arising from thigh angular velocity. Thus, lower leg acceleration was not enhanced by thigh deceleration. On the contrary, thigh deceleration, although not desirable, is unavoidable because of lower leg acceleration.     

Kicking modality during erratic-dynamic and static condition effects the muscular co-activation of attacker

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different kicking modality, i.e., erratic-dynamic target (EDT) versus static target (ST) on the performance of the roundhouse kick in two groups of taekwondo athletes of different skill level. Three-dimensional analysis and surface electromyography (SEMG) analysis were performed on 12 (Group A: six sub-elite, Group B: six elite) athletes to investigate muscle co-activation pattern under two conditions, i.e., EDT versus ST. In the results, the muscle recruitment ratio of the agonistic muscles was higher for Group A, whereas Group B had higher recruitment ratio for antagonist muscles. Overall, the co-activation index (CI) of hip joints appeared higher in the extensors for Group A, whereas higher CI was observed in flexor muscles for Group B with comparatively higher CI during EDT condition than ST condition. Higher value of CI was observed in flexor muscles of the knee joints among Group A during EDT conditions, in contrast, higher CI in the extensor muscles was observed among Group B during ST conditions. In conclusion, the study confirmed that erratic-dynamic movements of target could change the movement coordination pattern to maintain the joint stability of participants.     

Influence of ski materials on muscle activity

The purpose of this study was to examine whether differences in construction between the compact ski, the racing ski and the soft ski influence the behavioural and electromuscular responses of the user. Eight qualified male ski instructors performed two ‘shuss’ trials and three different basic turns. Six muscles (M. biceps femoris, M. gastrocnemius lateralis and medialis, M. rectus femoris, M. vastus lateralis and M. tibialis anterior) were studied, using a conventional but portable electromyographic (EMG) registration with telemetric synchronization, active electrodes and a six‐channel portable data recorder. Muscle contractions were continuously registered and visualized in raw EMG form and linear envelopes. The differences between the mean rectified EMG data of dynamic contractions while skiing and the mean rectified EMG data of the maximal voluntary contraction were used in the primary analysis of data, from which the participation levels of the muscles investigated could be calculated for each type of ski. Based on this comparison, differences between the effects on muscle activity of the three types of skis were unimportant. In a second phase, the normalized linear envelopes of all subjects were graphically superimposed and averaged. This was performed for each muscle, for each movement, for each leg and for each ski tested. The EMG data were considered in combination with anthropometric values, with snow characteristics and with the velocity of skiing. This study showed systematic differences between the use of the racing, soft and compact ski. On average the soft ski showed the lowest muscle activity patterns and thus the most economical muscular efforts for all muscles investigated and within all movements.     

Influence of ski materials on muscle activity

The purpose of this study was to examine whether differences in construction between the compact ski, the racing ski and the soft ski influence the behavioural and electromuscular responses of the user. Eight qualified male ski instructors performed two 'shuss' trials and three different basic turns. Six muscles (M. biceps femoris, M. gastrocnemius lateralis and medialis, M. rectus femoris, M. vastus lateralis and M. tibialis anterior) were studied, using a conventional but portable electromyographic (EMG) registration with telemetric synchronization, active electrodes and a six-channel portable data recorder. Muscle contractions were continuously registered and visualized in raw EMG form and linear envelopes. The differences between the mean rectified EMG data of dynamic contractions while skiing and the mean rectified EMG data of the maximal voluntary contraction were used in the primary analysis of data, from which the participation levels of the muscles investigated could be calculated for each type of ski. Based on this comparison, differences between the effects on muscle activity of the three types of skis were unimportant. In a second phase, the normalized linear envelopes of all subjects were graphically superimposed and averaged. This was performed for each muscle, for each movement, for each leg and for each ski tested. The EMG data were considered in combination with anthropometric values, with snow characteristics and with the velocity of skiing. This study showed systematic differences between the use of the racing, soft and compact ski. On average the soft ski showed the lowest muscle activity patterns and thus the most economical muscular efforts for all muscles investigated and within all movements.     

太极拳蹬腿动作的下肢肌电活动规律、关节运动类型和平衡控制特征

目的:检测太极拳蹬腿动作支撑腿和动作腿的协调活动,揭示中枢双重命令下的下肢运动控制的特征.方法:太极拳运动员和初学者各10人,分两组.记录太极蹬腿动作时下肢肌肌电图、双下肢关节的角运动、足底中心压力的移位.每次试验8 s完成,重复5次.统计处理后,做肌电、运动和平衡分析.鲒果:两组间支撑腿的EMG、关节活动和COP位移出现了在形态上和幅度上的差别,但是在动作腿多表现在幅度上的差别.运动员支撑腿的平均EMG都高于初学者,只有股直肌有显著差异;运动员膝和髋关节的平均最大运动角度小于初学者,踝关节的平均最大运动角度稍稍比初学者大,只有髋关节的平均最大运动角度较为显著.运动员动作腿的平均EMG只有股直肌和胫骨前肌显著地高于初学者,而臀中肌显著地低于初学者;所有关节的平均最大运动角度都是运动员的显著大于初学者.平均足底中心压力的侧方和前后方位移都是运动员的显著大于初学者.运动员动作腿的起始运动约250～350ms,滞后于支撑腿起始运动的延迟时间.结论:运动员和初学者都可以用踝-髋策略来调节单腿直立的姿势平衡,但是运动员能够启动一个根据任务需要的前馈控制技术,通过下肢肌的积极活动,预先形成一个对抗蹬腿反作用力干扰的姿势稳定.因此,训练太极拳可以获得这个前馈控制技术.持续降低重心时,初学者的蹬腿和支撑两任务间出现了相互冲突.     

Resultant muscle torque and electromyographic activity during high intensity elastic resistance and free weight exercises

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare Resultant Muscle Torque (RMT) and muscle activation (EMG) pattern, during resistance exercise comprising eight repetitions maximum (8 RM) biceps curl with elastic resistance and free weight exercise. Sixteen male and female recreationally active subjects completed 8 RM biceps curl by each of three modalities of resistance exercise: (i) dumbbell (DB), (ii) elastic tubing with original un-stretched length at the commencement of contraction (E0), and (iii) elastic tubing with 30% decrement of original length (E30) at the commencement of contraction. The magnitude of muscle activation, external force, acceleration as well as range of motion (ROM) were quantified and synchronised by specific software. The data were collected from all eight repetitions but the first (initial), the fifth (middle) and the eighth (last) repetitions were selected for further data analysis. Each selected repetition was partitioned into a concentric and eccentric phase and then each phase was further divided into three equal segments (3 concentric and 3 eccentric = 6 segments per repetition). The EMG and RMT data demonstrated a bell-shaped muscle activation and muscle torque production pattern for the three modes of exercise. The E30 resulted in 15.40% and 14.89% higher total EMG (µV) as well as 36.85% and 17.71% higher RMT (N · m) than E0 and DB, respectively (all P <0.05). These findings support the contention that an elastic resistance device (E30) has the capacity to provide an appropriate high resistance stimulus to meet the training requirement of elite athletes.     

运动员创伤性肩关节前不稳定表面肌电的特征

以临床疾病创伤性肩关节前方不稳（Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability,TASI）者为研究对象,通过研究患肩周围肌肉表面肌电活动与正常肩关节在不同功能性动作中比较来探寻TASI肩周肌肉活动募集的大致特征,为TASI患者选择治疗方案提供理论依据。方法：选取东方医院运动医学科就诊的TASI运动员患者和正常运动员肩关节（CON）对照。肌肉活动采用德国Biovision 16导联肌电图仪进行表面肌电信号采集,执行肩胛平面外展、前屈、后伸,0°和45°外展时内外旋,评价肌肉活动特征。结果：TASI和CON相比,TASI肩周肌肉具有以下特征,胸大肌在中立位内旋活动下降明显,三角肌前束在肩胛平面外展的后半部分范围和前屈的前半部分范围中明显下降,三角肌中束活动在前屈的中间范围活动下降,冈上肌活动在外展起始范围有增加的趋势,其余大多数运动范围均呈现下降趋势。肱二头肌活动在前屈和外旋运动中增加。冈下肌活动性在外旋时下降。前锯肌活动在前屈的后范围活动、内外旋运动中是下降的。结论：（1）增加了TASI发病机制的理解,补充了TASI康复训练和治疗选择依据的基本数据库。（2）TASI肩外展肌群、外旋肌群的工作能力下降,内外旋肌群存在失衡现象,外旋肌群的工作能力下降较明显。（3）TASI肩非手术治疗时可适当考虑前方动力性稳定结构,应加强冈上肌、前锯肌以及外旋肌肉的活动性训练,适当加强三角肌前、中束和内旋肌群的训练。     

随意运动与电刺激诱发胫骨前肌疲劳过程中肌电图的变化特征

为了解肌肉疲劳时神经肌肉系统兴奋性的变化规律,以10名健康男子为对象,采用随意性最大的肌肉收缩(V组)和电刺激诱发肌肉收缩(E组)的两种运动形式,对足背屈运动引起胫骨前肌疲劳时的胫骨前肌和比目鱼肌的表面肌电图(sEMG)和诱发肌电图(evoked EMG)进行了观察。结果发现:(1)V组和E组的sEMG积分值和平均频率均出现了降低的趋势,而且E组的变化较为明显;(2)E组的胫骨前肌(主动肌)Mmax和H/Mmax明显降低下,比目鱼肌(拮抗肌)Mmax和H/Mmax在胫骨前肌疲劳后则无明显变化;(3)V组胫骨前肌与比目鱼肌的H/Mmax在疲劳发生后均表现出显著低下,但二者的Mmax却无明显变化。结论:肌疲劳时不但主动肌脊髓运动神经元受到了抑制,拮抗肌脊髓运动神经元也受到了类似的影响,但由于肌肉收缩方式不同而上述变化并不完全一致。     

Neural adaptations with sport-specific resistance training in highly skilled athletes

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of variations in the volume and intensity of resistance training in highly skilled athletes on neural adaptive mechanisms: the maximality and pattern of neural drive. The maximality of muscle activation was measured using a high-resolution sample and hold amplifier to record interpolated twitches. The pattern of neural drive was measured by analysing isometric torque-time curves and electromyographic (EMG) characteristics during the performance of rapid isometric contractions at maximal effort. The volume and intensity of training were varied at 4-weekly intervals to systematically emphasize the development of strength, power and motor performance in 14 highly skilled track and field athletes (e.g. discus, hammer, javelin, shot put and weight). Knee extension strength increased significantly by 15% during steady maximal isometric contractions and by 24% during rapid isometric contractions at maximal effort after the 16-week training programme (P < 0.05). Increases in EMG amplitude and rate of EMG activation indicated that improvements to the pattern of neural drive occurred with sport-specific resistance training (P < 0.05). The maximality and pattern of neural drive did not change in the control group.     

长拳、太极拳冲拳动作的表面肌电特征分析

研究目的：对长拳、太极拳冲拳动作进行肌电实验,分析长拳、太极拳完成冲拳动作时所调动的肌肉及其iemg值,得出在研究对象本身无差异情况下,不同拳术冲拳的发力对肌肉的调动情况。研究方法：在肌电实验中,以固定个体为研究对象,通过运用美国noraxon生产的t6无线导遥测肌电对练习长拳、太极拳冲拳时的上下肢肌肉表面肌电特征进行分析。研究结果：长拳冲拳过程中,肌肉活动顺序为腹直肌、三角肌前束、股内侧肌、股直肌、腹外斜肌、股外侧肌、股四头肌、肱三头肌、肱桡肌、竖脊肌;积分肌电显示在长拳冲拳阶段三角肌前束、肱桡肌的积分肌电最高;在整个长拳冲拳过程中,腹外斜肌的肌肉贡献率最大。太极拳冲拳过程中,肌肉活动顺序为肱桡肌、腹外斜肌、股内侧肌、竖脊肌、三角肌前束、腹直肌、股外侧肌、肱三头肌、腹直肌、股四头肌;积分肌电显示在太极拳冲拳阶段肱桡肌、股内侧肌的积分肌电最高;在整个太极拳冲拳过程中,腹内斜肌的机头贡献率最大。研究结论：长拳冲拳过程中,受试者较好完成技术动作,腹直肌首先放电,肌肉力量的发放大部分来源于肱桡肌、三角肌前束和肱三头肌,集中于上肢腰部和手臂。太极拳冲拳过程中,受试者未能掌握技术动作,肌肉发力顺序不符合太极拳冲拳技术要求。     

Visuelle Bewegungskontrolle geführter Kraftübungen bei jungen Erwachsenen und Senioren

In the context of strength training in rehabilitation, visual movement control can be helpful to ensure correct movements. However, there are only a few studies that deal with the effectiveness of feedback during resistance exercises. To investigate the effect of feedback during guided exercise, 18 young adults (28.8?±?5.5 years) and 12 senior citizens (67.9?±?4.1 years) were tested. Subjects performed shoulder press exercises (3 sets, 15 repetitions) with and without visual movement control in a randomized order. On day 1, the subjects trained without load, and on day 2 they trained at 50% of their single repetition maximum. Joint articulation at the elbow was recorded using elbow extension and flexion. Autocorrelation was used to determine the reproducibility of movements. Subjects achieved better reproducibility of the movement with feedback than without (χ²?=?19.73; p?<?0.001). There was no effect of the load on motion accuracy (p?>?0.05), but the age group showed a significant effect (χ²?=?6.00; p?=?0.014). The younger group shows a higher degree of movement accuracy. In summary, visual movement control is useful in guided exercises to control movement execution. In clinical setting, this may be a way to control the motion performance of guided strength exercises and to ensure purposeful muscle work. Further studies should clarify the effect of visual feedback on the movement quality in unguided strength exercises.     

短跑运动员股后肌群力量练习的下肢肌电特征分析

采用芬兰产Mega6000肌电仪和肌电仪器自带的Megawin2.4软件系统,让实验对象在做大腿后部肌群的力量练习手段如直腿后摆拉橡皮条、俯卧屈小腿拉橡皮条、俯卧后摆腿、俯卧跪起和仰卧挺髋力量练习手段的状态下,对实验对象的臀大肌、股二头肌、半腱半膜肌、腓肠肌内侧、阔筋膜张肌、股直肌和胫骨前肌进行肌电测试,并结合高速摄影技术分析肌电特征和肌肉的工作机制。结果表明,各块肌肉在力量练习过程中放电顺序、放电强度、放电时间、肌电积分值都不相同。因此,在力量训练时,应根据动作结构、肌肉收缩方式、收缩速度和力量大小等方面进行训练,使训练手段更能符合专项运动的规律。