Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research (대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지)

The Korean Society of Medical and Biological Engineering (대한의용생체공학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Involvement of EMG Variables and Muscle Characteristics in Force Steadiness by Level

수준별 힘 안정성에 대한 EMG 변인 및 근육 특성의 관여

  • Hyeon Deok Jo (Department of Physical Education, Graduate School, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Maeng Kyu Kim (Sports Medicine Lab., Department of Physical Education, College of Education, Kyungpook National University )
  • 조현덕 (경북대학교 일반대학원 체육학과) ;
  • 김맹규 (경북대학교 사범대학 체육교육과)
  • Received : 2023.09.19
  • Accepted : 2023.10.18
  • Published : 2023.10.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular properties and the structural and qualitative characteristics of muscles during submaximal isometric contractions at low-to-relatively vigorous target forces and to determine their influence on force steadiness (FS). Thirteen young adult males performed submaximal isometric knee extensions at 10, 20, 50, and 70% of their maximal voluntary isometric contraction using their non-dominant legs. During submaximal contractions, we recorded force, EMG signals from vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF), and ultrasound images from the distal RF (dRF). Force and EMG standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) values were used to measure FS and EMG steadiness, respectively. Muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), echo intensity (EI), and texture features were calculated from ultrasound images to assess the structural and qualitative characteristics of the muscle. FS, neuromuscular properties, and texture features showed significant differences across different force levels. Additionally, there were significant differences in EMG_CV among the quadriceps at the 50% and 70% force levels. The results of correlation analysis revealed that FS had a significant relationship with EMG_CV in VM, VL, and RF, as well as with the texture features of dRF. This study's findings demonstrate that EMG steadiness and texture features are influenced by the magnitude of the target force and are closely related to FS, indicating their potential contribution to force output control.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 정부(과학기술정보통신부)의 재원으로 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임(2022R1F1A1076564).

References

  1. Enoka RM, Christou EA, Hunter SK, Kornatz KW, Semmler JG, Taylor AM, Tracy BL. Mechanisms that contribute to differences in motor performance between young and old adults. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2003;13(1):1-12.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-6411(02)00084-6
  2. Enoka RM, Farina D. Force Steadiness: From Motor Units to Voluntary Actions. Physiology. 2021;36(2):114-130.  https://doi.org/10.1152/physiol.00027.2020
  3. Shinohara M, Yoshitake Y, Kouzaki M, Fukuoka H, Fukunaga T. Strength training counteracts motor performance losses during bed rest. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2003;95(4):1485-1492.  https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01173.2002
  4. Clark BC, Pierce JR, Manini TM, Ploutz-Snyder LL. Effect of prolonged unweighting of human skeletal muscle on neuromotor force control. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2007;100(1):53-62.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0399-6
  5. Braendvik SM, ELVRUM AKG, Vereijken B, Roeleveld K. Relationship between neuromuscular body functions and upper extremity activity in children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2010;52(2):e29-e34.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2009.03490.x
  6. Carville SF, Perry MC, Rutherford OM, Smith ICH, Newham DJ. Steadiness of quadriceps contractions in young and older adults with and without a history of falling. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2007;100(5):527-533.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0245-2
  7. Pincivero DM, Coelho AJ, Campy RM, Salfetnikov Y, Suter E. Knee extensor torque and quadriceps femoris EMG during perceptually-guided isometric contractions. Journal of Electromyography Kinesiology. 2003;13(2):159-167.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-6411(02)00096-2
  8. Saito A, Akima H. Knee joint angle affects EMG-force relationship in the vastus intermedius muscle. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2013;23(6):1406-1412.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.08.009
  9. Long J, Tazoe T, Soteropoulos DS, Perez MA. Interhemispheric connectivity during bimanual isometric force generation. Journal of Neurophysiology. 2016;115(3):1196-1207.  https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00876.2015
  10. Guo J, Li L, Zheng Y, Quratul A, Liu T, Wang J. Effect of Visual Feedback on Behavioral Control and Functional Activity During Bilateral Hand Movement. Brain Topography. 2023;36(4):517-534.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-023-00969-6
  11. Mota JA, Stock MS. Rectus Femoris Echo Intensity Correlates with Muscle Strength, but Not Endurance, in Younger and Older Men. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. 2017;43(8):1651-1657.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.04.010
  12. Abe T, Loenneke JP, Thiebaud RS. Morphological and functional relationships with ultrasound measured muscle thickness of the lower extremity: a brief review. Ultrasound. 2015;23(3):166-173.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1742271X15587599
  13. Rekabizaheh M, Rezasoltani A, Lahouti B, Namavarian N. Pennation angle and fascicle length of human skeletal muscles to predict the strength of an individual muscle using real-time ultrasonography: a review of literature. Journal of Clinical Physiotherapy Research. 2016;1(2):42-48. 
  14. Paris MT, Mourtzakis M. Muscle Composition Analysis of Ultrasound Images: A Narrative Review of Texture Analysis. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. 2021;47(4):880-895.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.12.012
  15. Kumbhare D, Shaw S, Ahmed S, Noseworthy M. Quantitative ultrasound of trapezius muscle involvement in myofascial pain: comparison of clinical and healthy population using texture analysis. Journal of Ultrasound. 2020;23(1):23-30.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-018-0330-5
  16. Sahinis C, Kellis E. Hamstring Muscle Quality Properties Using Texture Analysis of Ultrasound Images. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. 2023;49(2):431-440.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.09.011
  17. Tsatsaki E, Amiridis IG, Holobar A, Trypidakis G, Arabatzi F, Kellis E, Enoka RM. The length of tibialis anterior does not influence force steadiness during submaximal isometric contractions with the dorsiflexors. European Journal of Sport Science. 2022;22(4):539-548.  https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1922506
  18. Petrovic I, Amiridis IG, Holobar A, Trypidakis G, Kellis E, Enoka RM. Leg Dominance Does Not Influence Maximal Force, Force Steadiness, or Motor Unit Discharge Characteristics. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2022;54(8), 1278-1287.  https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002921
  19. Smart RR, Baudry S, Fedorov A, Kuzyk SL, Jakobi JM. Influence of biceps brachii tendon mechanical properties on elbow flexor force steadiness in young and old males. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2018;28(3), 983-991.  https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13024
  20. Brown RE, Edwards DL, Jakobi JM. Sex differences in force steadiness in three positions of the forearm. European journal of applied physiology. 2010;110:1251-1257.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1600-x
  21. Krishnan C, Allen EJ, Williams GN. Effect of knee position on quadriceps muscle force steadiness and activation strategies. Muscle & nerve. 2011;43(4):563-573.  https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.21981
  22. Louw QA, Manilall J, Grimmer KA. Epidemiology of knee injuries among adolescents: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2008;42(1):2-10.  https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2007.035360
  23. Williams GN, Snyder-Mackler L, Barrance PJ, Buchanan TS. Quadriceps femoris muscle morphology and function after ACL injury: a differential response in copers versus non-copers. Journal of Biomechanics. 2005;38(4):685-693.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.04.004
  24. Kaya D, Guney-Deniz H, Sayaca C, Calik M, Doral MN. Effects on Lower Extremity Neuromuscular Control Exercises on Knee Proprioception, Muscle Strength, and Functional Level in Patients with ACL Reconstruction. Biomed Research International. 2019;2019. 
  25. Clark NC, Pethick J. Variability and Complexity of Knee Neuromuscular Control during an Isometric Task in Uninjured Physically Active Adults: A Secondary Analysis Exploring Right/Left and Dominant/Nondominant Asymmetry. Applied Sciences-Basel. 2022;12(9):4762. 
  26. Nguyen ND, Pongchaiyakul C, Center JR, Eisman JA, Nguyen TV. Identification of high-risk individuals for hip fracture: A 14-year prospective study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2005;20(11):1921-1928.  https://doi.org/10.1359/JBMR.050520
  27. Tracy BL, Enoka RM. Steadiness training with light loads in the knee extensors of elderly adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2006;38(4):735-745.  https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000194082.85358.c4
  28. Bryant AL, Pua YH, Clark RA. Morphology of Knee Extension Torque-Time Curves Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Reconstruction. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American. 2009;91(6):1424-1431.  https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.H.01335
  29. van Melick N, Meddeler BM, Hoogeboom TJ, Nijhuis-van der Sanden MW, van Cingel RE. How to determine leg dominance: The agreement between self-reported and observed performance in healthy adults. Plos One. 2017;12(12):e0189876. 
  30. Stegeman D, Hermens H. Standards for surface electromyography: The European project Surface EMG for non-invasive assessment of muscles (SENIAM). Enschede: Roessingh Research and Development. 2007;10:8-12. 
  31. Jo HD, Kim MK. Identification of EIMD Level Differences Between Long-and Short Head of Biceps Brachii Using Echo Intensity and GLCM Texture Features. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 2023:1-9. 
  32. Buys EJ, Lemon RN, Mantel GW, Muir RB. Selective facilitation of different hand muscles by single corticospinal neurones in the conscious monkey. The Journal of Physiology 1986;381:529-549.  https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016342
  33. de Noordhout AM, Rapisarda G, Bogacz D, Gerard P, De Pasqua V, Pennisi G, Delwaide PJ. Corticomotoneuronal synaptic connections in normal man - An electrophysiological study. Brain. 1999;122:1327-1340.  https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/122.7.1327
  34. Semmler JG. Motor unit synchronization and neuromuscular performance. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 2002;30(1):8-14.  https://doi.org/10.1097/00003677-200201000-00003
  35. Nordstrom MA, Fuglevand AJ, Enoka RM. Estimating the strength of common input to human motoneurons from the cross-correlogram. The Journal of Physiology. 1992;453:547-574.  https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1992.sp019244
  36. Yao W, Fuglevand RJ, Enoka RM. Motor-unit synchronization increases EMG amplitude and decreases force steadiness of simulated contractions. Journal of Neurophysiology. 2000;83(1):441-452.  https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.2000.83.1.441
  37. Oomen NMCW, van Dieen JH. Effects of age on force steadiness: A literature review and meta-analysis. Ageing Research Reviews. 2017;35:312-321.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2016.11.004
  38. Yamaguchi T, Xu J, Sasaki K. Age and sex differences in force steadiness and intermuscular coherence of lower leg muscles during isometric plantar flexion. Experimental Brain Research. 2023;241(1):277-288.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-022-06517-1
  39. Christie A, Greig Inglis J, Kamen G, Gabriel DA. Relationships between surface EMG variables and motor unit firing rates. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2009;107(2):177-185.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1113-7
  40. Sbriccoli P, Bazzucchi I, Rosponi A, Bernardi M, De Vito G, Felici F. Amplitude and spectral characteristics of biceps Brachii sEMG depend upon speed of isometric force generation. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2003;13(2):139-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-6411(02)00098-6