Pub Date : 2025-03-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103003
Shabnam Lateef, Marcel Bahia Lanza, Vicki L. Gray
People with chronic stroke (PwCS) suffer from impaired lateral weight transfer, resulting in a loss of balance. The primary purpose of this study was to examine how stroke impairs the rate of hip abductor-adductor muscle activation during weight transfer compared to controls, and whether this influences subsequent stepping performance. The secondary purpose was to determine how stroke affects bilateral coordinated hip abductor-adductor muscle activity between the step and stance legs. 20 PwCS (61.6 ± 7.4 years, 4F/16 M) and 10 healthy controls (64.8 ± 8.9 years, 5F/5M) were included. Participants took a voluntary lateral step, as quickly as possible, in response to a light cue. Bilateral Adductor Longus (ADD) and Gluteus Medius (GM) rate of muscle activation (RoA) were measured using electromyography, and spatiotemporal step characteristics were measured using motion capture. Paretic (p < 0.01) and non-paretic (p < 0.01) stance and step legs had a reduced GM and ADD RoA during weight transfer compared to controls. Reduced stance and step GM and ADD RoA were associated with longer weight transfer and step initiation times (rs = − 0.47 to – 0.63, p < 0.001). PwCS had a lack of bilateral coordinated GM and ADD activity (p > 0.05). Post-stroke reductions in GM and ADD RoA contribute to altered step characteristics.
{"title":"Does the rate of hip abductor and adductor muscle activation during weight transfer influence voluntary lateral stepping in chronic stroke?","authors":"Shabnam Lateef, Marcel Bahia Lanza, Vicki L. Gray","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>People with chronic stroke (PwCS) suffer from impaired lateral weight transfer, resulting in a loss of balance. The primary purpose of this study was to examine how stroke impairs the rate of hip abductor-adductor muscle activation during weight transfer compared to controls, and whether this influences subsequent stepping performance. The secondary purpose was to determine how stroke affects bilateral coordinated hip abductor-adductor muscle activity between the step and stance legs. 20 PwCS (61.6 ± 7.4 years, 4F/16 M) and 10 healthy controls (64.8 ± 8.9 years, 5F/5M) were included. Participants took a voluntary lateral step, as quickly as possible, in response to a light cue. Bilateral Adductor Longus (ADD) and Gluteus Medius (GM) rate of muscle activation (RoA) were measured using electromyography, and spatiotemporal step characteristics were measured using motion capture. Paretic (<em>p</em> < 0.01) and non-paretic (<em>p</em> < 0.01) stance and step legs had a reduced GM and ADD RoA during weight transfer compared to controls. Reduced stance and step GM and ADD RoA were associated with longer weight transfer and step initiation times (r<sub>s</sub> = − 0.47 to – 0.63, <em>p</em> < 0.001). PwCS had a lack of bilateral coordinated GM and ADD activity (<em>p</em> > 0.05). Post-stroke reductions in GM and ADD RoA contribute to altered step characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103003"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143759585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103005
Beste Yilmaz, Umut Ozsoy, Yilmaz Yildirim, Ege Alkan
Objective
This study evaluates the reliability and agreement of depth sensor technology compared to marker-based motion analysis for facial movement assessment. Depth sensors, such as the Kinect-V2, offer a non-invasive alternative, but their accuracy in facial kinematics remains uncertain.
Method
100 healthy participants (50 male, 50 female) performed six facial movements— opening −mouth, smiling, eyebrow-lifting, forced-eye-closure, whistling, and frowning. These were recorded simultaneously using a marker-based motion system and a Kinect-V2 depth sensor. Data were analyzed for asymmetry, intra-method reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and agreement via Bland-Altman analysis.
Results
Bland-Altman analysis showed mean biases for facial movements: opening-mouth (−0.99), smiling (2.7), eyebrow-lifting (−1.85), forced-eye-closure (−1.77), whistling (11.59), and frowning (20.82). Mean asymmetry values using the marker-based system vs. depth sensor: smiling (8.16%vs.4.22%), eyebrow-lifting (7.32%vs.6.88%), eye-closure (8.42%vs.5.39%), and frowning (11.50vs.13.86%). ICC values ranged from 0.41 (forced-eye-closure) to 0.80 (eyebrow lifting) for the marker-based system and 0.61 (forced-eye-closure) to 0.85 (mouth opening) for the depth sensor.
Conclusions
While depth sensors show strong intra-method reliability, they demonstrate biases and broader limits of agreement for subtle expressions. Further algorithmic improvements are needed for clinical applications.
{"title":"Depth sensor technology in facial movement analysis: A comparative evaluation with marker-based motion analysis","authors":"Beste Yilmaz, Umut Ozsoy, Yilmaz Yildirim, Ege Alkan","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study evaluates the reliability and agreement of depth sensor technology compared to marker-based motion analysis for facial movement assessment. Depth sensors, such as the Kinect-V2, offer a non-invasive alternative, but their accuracy in facial kinematics remains uncertain.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>100 healthy participants (50 male, 50 female) performed six facial movements— opening −mouth, smiling, eyebrow-lifting, forced-eye-closure, whistling, and frowning. These were recorded simultaneously using a marker-based motion system and a Kinect-V2 depth sensor. Data were analyzed for asymmetry, intra-method reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and agreement via Bland-Altman analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Bland-Altman analysis showed mean biases for facial movements: opening-mouth (−0.99), smiling (2.7), eyebrow-lifting (−1.85), forced-eye-closure (−1.77), whistling (11.59), and frowning (20.82). Mean asymmetry values using the marker-based system vs. depth sensor: smiling (8.16%vs.4.22%), eyebrow-lifting (7.32%vs.6.88%), eye-closure (8.42%vs.5.39%), and frowning (11.50vs.13.86%). ICC values ranged from 0.41 (forced-eye-closure) to 0.80 (eyebrow lifting) for the marker-based system and 0.61 (forced-eye-closure) to 0.85 (mouth opening) for the depth sensor.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>While depth sensors show strong intra-method reliability, they demonstrate biases and broader limits of agreement for subtle expressions. Further algorithmic improvements are needed for clinical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103005"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143759586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103008
Byungkyu Choi, Jaehyun Park
Repetitive upper limb movements involved in pruning and harvesting tasks can cause musculoskeletal disorders, threatening the sustainability of the agricultural workforce. The present study determines whether arm-support exoskeletons (ASEs) would be an effective intervention to reduce the physical strain associated with manual pruning and harvesting tasks in orchard agriculture. Participants (n = 24; sex-balanced) performed simulated pruning and harvesting tasks at four different heights using two commercially available ASEs. Muscle activity, perceived exertion, task completion time, and usability were measured. The results indicated that ASEs significantly reduced muscle activity in the upper limbs. However, this resulted in additional strain on other body parts, such as the lower back and lower limbs, and increased task completion time. These findings highlight the need for continuous research and systematic designs to pursue feasible interventions for implementing ASEs in orchard agriculture. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to understanding the potential benefits and limitations of using ASEs in pruning and harvesting tasks, specifically in the context of orchard agriculture.
{"title":"Analysis of agricultural applicability of arm-support exoskeletons with simulated orchard pruning and harvesting tasks","authors":"Byungkyu Choi, Jaehyun Park","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Repetitive upper limb movements involved in pruning and harvesting tasks can cause musculoskeletal disorders, threatening the sustainability of the agricultural workforce. The present study determines whether arm-support exoskeletons (ASEs) would be an effective intervention to reduce the physical strain associated with manual pruning and harvesting tasks in orchard agriculture. Participants (<em>n</em> = 24; sex-balanced) performed simulated pruning and harvesting tasks at four different heights using two commercially available ASEs. Muscle activity, perceived exertion, task completion time, and usability were measured. The results indicated that ASEs significantly reduced muscle activity in the upper limbs. However, this resulted in additional strain on other body parts, such as the lower back and lower limbs, and increased task completion time. These findings highlight the need for continuous research and systematic designs to pursue feasible interventions for implementing ASEs in orchard agriculture. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to understanding the potential benefits and limitations of using ASEs in pruning and harvesting tasks, specifically in the context of orchard agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103008"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143747956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102993
Steven Phu , Daina L Sturnieks , Stephen R Lord , Yoshiro Okubo
Introduction
This study examined the impact of age on muscle and kinematic responses to an obstacle trip while walking.
Materials and Methods
102 older (65–90 years) and 26 young (21–35 years) people were unexpectedly tripped using a pop-up obstacle that contacted their left foot while walking on an 8-m walkway. Kinematics and lower limb muscle responses during the first and second recovery steps were measured.
Results
Following a trip, older people more often lowered their tripped foot before the obstacle and fell into the harness, compared to young (P < 0.05). When the tripped foot was immediately lifted over the obstacle, older people showed greater co-contraction of ankle muscles and faster peak activation of plantar-flexors but slower, shorter and lower recovery steps than young (P < 0.01). When the tripped foot was immediately lowered, despite similar muscle responses, older people took shorter and lower steps to clear the obstacle and were less stable than young (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
Lower-limb muscle responses to an obstacle trip in older people may be quick but inefficient (co-contraction), resulting in poorer recovery steps and more falls compared to young people. Exercise interventions should aim to improve muscle capacity and motor skills required to prevent falls following unexpected trips.
{"title":"Impact of age on muscle and kinematic responses to an obstacle trip while walking","authors":"Steven Phu , Daina L Sturnieks , Stephen R Lord , Yoshiro Okubo","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102993","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102993","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study examined the impact of age on muscle and kinematic responses to an obstacle trip while walking.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>102 older (65–90 years) and 26 young (21–35 years) people were unexpectedly tripped using a pop-up obstacle that contacted their left foot while walking on an 8-m walkway. Kinematics and lower limb muscle responses during the first and second recovery steps were measured.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Following a trip, older people more often lowered their tripped foot before the obstacle and fell into the harness, compared to young (<em>P</em> < 0.05). When the tripped foot was immediately lifted over the obstacle, older people showed greater co-contraction of ankle muscles and faster peak activation of plantar-flexors but slower, shorter and lower recovery steps than young (<em>P</em> < 0.01). When the tripped foot was immediately lowered, despite similar muscle responses, older people took shorter and lower steps to clear the obstacle and were less stable than young (<em>P</em> < 0.01).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Lower-limb muscle responses to an obstacle trip in older people may be quick but inefficient (co-contraction), resulting in poorer recovery steps and more falls compared to young people. Exercise interventions should aim to improve muscle capacity and motor skills required to prevent falls following unexpected trips.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102993"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143714534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102994
Yeny Concha-Cisternas , José Castro Piñero , Carlos Celis-Morales , Pablo Valdés-Badilla , Cristian Núñez-Espinosa , Igor Cigarroa , Joaquín Salazar-Méndez , Miguel Alarcón-Rivera , Eduardo Guzmán -Muñoz
Background
this study aimed analyze the effects of a neuromuscular training program compared to a multicomponent training program on proprioception and muscle reaction time in older woman.
Material and methods
Randomized controlled trial, included 54 older women randomized into 3 groups: multicomponent group (MCG), neuromuscular group (NMG), and control group (CG). Proprioception was assessed using the active repositioning test in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee joints. The muscular reaction time of the peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medialis were evaluated. MCG carried out a multicomponent training program and, NMG realized neuromuscular training program plus the multicomponent training.
Results
A significant time × group interaction was observed in proprioception the shoulder joints (F = 7.57; p = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.255), hip joints (F = 10.2; p = < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.258) and knee (F = 7.12; p = 0.004; ηp2 = 0.244) and reaction time of the peroneus longus (F = 13.7; p = < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.378), tibialis anterior (F = 8.14; p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.246) and gastrocnemius medial (F = 7.86; p = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.263). Multiple comparisons showed that there are significant improvements between the pre-and post-assessment of the NMG in proprioception and muscle reaction time.
Conclusions
Neuromuscular training program enhances the effects of multicomponent training and should be included in the physical activity programs of older people.
{"title":"Effects of neuromuscular training on proprioception and muscular reaction time in older woman: Randomized controlled trial","authors":"Yeny Concha-Cisternas , José Castro Piñero , Carlos Celis-Morales , Pablo Valdés-Badilla , Cristian Núñez-Espinosa , Igor Cigarroa , Joaquín Salazar-Méndez , Miguel Alarcón-Rivera , Eduardo Guzmán -Muñoz","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102994","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102994","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>this study aimed analyze the effects of a neuromuscular training program compared to a multicomponent training program on proprioception and muscle reaction time in older woman.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>Randomized controlled trial, included 54 older women randomized into 3 groups: multicomponent group (MCG), neuromuscular group (NMG), and control group (CG). Proprioception was assessed using the active repositioning test in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee joints. The muscular reaction time of the peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medialis were evaluated. MCG carried out a multicomponent training program and, NMG realized neuromuscular training program plus the multicomponent training.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A significant time × group interaction was observed in proprioception the shoulder joints (F = 7.57; p = 0.003; ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.255), hip joints (F = 10.2; p = < 0.001; ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.258) and knee (F = 7.12; p = 0.004; ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.244) and reaction time of the peroneus longus (F = 13.7; p = < 0.001; ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.378), tibialis anterior (F = 8.14; p = 0.002; ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.246) and gastrocnemius medial (F = 7.86; p = 0.003; ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.263). Multiple comparisons showed that there are significant improvements between the pre-and post-assessment of the NMG in proprioception and muscle reaction time.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Neuromuscular training program enhances the effects of multicomponent training and should be included in the physical activity programs of older people.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102994"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143686632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102992
Garrick N. Forman , Sophia A. Nikitin , Cameron J. Lang , David A. Gabriel , Michael W. Sonne , Aaron M. Kociolek , Michael W.R. Holmes
Gaming is demanding, however, the impact of gaming on muscle fatigue and performance changes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle fatigue and performance impairments during an extended mouse aiming fatigue protocol. Twenty participants were recruited (8F, 12 M), separated into gaming and non-gaming groups. Surface electromyography was measured from eight muscles of the right distal upper limb. Participants performed a 30-second aiming task using aim training software. The fatiguing protocol involved six, 5-minute bouts of hitting targets in AimLab. To assess muscle fatigue, reference contractions of radial and ulnar deviation (30% max) as well as ratings of perceived fatigue (RPF) were collected throughout the experiment. The wrist extensors produced the greatest levels of muscle activity while aiming a mouse, producing up to 9.3% MVC. No changes in performance measures were observed throughout the experiment. However, significant fatigue of extensors was observed through changes in RPF, mean power frequency, median frequency, and spike shape analysis. Performance metrics indicated no impairments caused by the fatiguing protocol. Changes in EMG characteristics indicate that the wrist extensors became significantly fatigued through prolonged mouse aiming, indicating the extensors may be prone to gaming related fatigue and injury.
{"title":"Impact of repetitive mouse aiming on muscle fatigue and fine motor performance of the distal upper limb","authors":"Garrick N. Forman , Sophia A. Nikitin , Cameron J. Lang , David A. Gabriel , Michael W. Sonne , Aaron M. Kociolek , Michael W.R. Holmes","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102992","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102992","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gaming is demanding, however, the impact of gaming on muscle fatigue and performance changes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle fatigue and performance impairments during an extended mouse aiming fatigue protocol. Twenty participants were recruited (8F, 12 M), separated into gaming and non-gaming groups. Surface electromyography was measured from eight muscles of the right distal upper limb. Participants performed a 30-second aiming task using aim training software. The fatiguing protocol involved six, 5-minute bouts of hitting targets in AimLab. To assess muscle fatigue, reference contractions of radial and ulnar deviation (30% max) as well as ratings of perceived fatigue (RPF) were collected throughout the experiment. The wrist extensors produced the greatest levels of muscle activity while aiming a mouse, producing up to 9.3% MVC. No changes in performance measures were observed throughout the experiment. However, significant fatigue of extensors was observed through changes in RPF, mean power frequency, median frequency, and spike shape analysis. Performance metrics indicated no impairments caused by the fatiguing protocol. Changes in EMG characteristics indicate that the wrist extensors became significantly fatigued through prolonged mouse aiming, indicating the extensors may be prone to gaming related fatigue and injury.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102992"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143675019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102991
I. Junquera-Godoy , J.L. Martinez-De-Juan , G. González Lorente , J.M. Carot-Sierra , J. Gomis-Tena , J. Saiz , R. López Mateu , G.C. Mas Penalva , S.Garcia Blasco , E. Boix Carreño , E. Soler Climent , G. Prats-Boluda
Purpose
Distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most common diabetic neuropathy (75% of all diabetic neuropathies), potentially leading to plantar ulcers and lower limb amputation. Early detection of at-risk individuals is essential for timely intervention. This study aimed to evaluate different surface EMG (sEMG) parameters from isometric and dynamic exercises as biomarkers for early DSP detection and monitoring.
Methods
The study involved 61 participants (34 controls and 27 cases with low, moderate and high levels of severity). sEMG signals were recorded from four lower-limb muscles (tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, extensor digitorum brevis, and flexor digitorum brevis) and characterized by their amplitude, frequency, complexity and shape.
Results
Significant sEMG differences were found between controls and diabetic patients at low and moderate/high DSP risk, especially in the extensor digitorum and flexor digitorum muscles during isometric and dynamic exercises. Diabetic patients showed lower amplitude and complexity, with higher frequency, peakedness, and asymmetry.
Conclusion
Parameters like root mean square, sample entropy, and central shape distance effectively distinguished between groups, highlighting changes in motor unit recruitment and muscle quality. Dynamic and isometric exercises emphasized their complementary roles in assessing muscle function, supporting sEMG’s potential as a non-invasive tool for monitoring neuromuscular changes in diabetes.
{"title":"Surface electromyography for characterizing neuromuscular changes in diabetic peripheral neuropathy","authors":"I. Junquera-Godoy , J.L. Martinez-De-Juan , G. González Lorente , J.M. Carot-Sierra , J. Gomis-Tena , J. Saiz , R. López Mateu , G.C. Mas Penalva , S.Garcia Blasco , E. Boix Carreño , E. Soler Climent , G. Prats-Boluda","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102991","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102991","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most common diabetic neuropathy (75% of all diabetic neuropathies), potentially leading to plantar ulcers and lower limb amputation. Early detection of at-risk individuals is essential for timely intervention. This study aimed to evaluate different surface EMG (sEMG) parameters from isometric and dynamic exercises as biomarkers for early DSP detection and monitoring.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study involved 61 participants (34 controls and 27 cases with low, moderate and high levels of severity). sEMG signals were recorded from four lower-limb muscles (tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, extensor digitorum brevis, and flexor digitorum brevis) and characterized by their amplitude, frequency, complexity and shape.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant sEMG differences were found between controls and diabetic patients at low and moderate/high DSP risk, especially in the extensor digitorum and flexor digitorum muscles during isometric and dynamic exercises. Diabetic patients showed lower amplitude and complexity, with higher frequency, peakedness, and asymmetry.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Parameters like root mean square, sample entropy, and central shape distance effectively distinguished between groups, highlighting changes in motor unit recruitment and muscle quality. Dynamic and isometric exercises emphasized their complementary roles in assessing muscle function, supporting sEMG’s potential as a non-invasive tool for monitoring neuromuscular changes in diabetes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102991"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143686631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102990
Pierre Mounier , Greg Kawchuk , Arnaud Delafontaine , Jacques Abboud , Martin Descarreaux , Mégane Pasquier
This study aims to explore how Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) can induce changes in lumbar erector spinae neuromuscular activity, trunk kinematics and lumbar spine stiffness, and how DOMS can be confirmed as an experimental pain model for studying LBP mechanisms. Seventeen adult participants were asked to perform four sets of 25 repetitions of trunk flexion and extension. During these tasks, trunk muscle activity, spinal stiffness and kinematics were assessed. Our results suggest that in the presence of DOMS, significant increases in lumbar spine stiffness whereas only limited changes in flexion relaxation phenomenon parameters are observed.
{"title":"Delayed onset muscle soreness effect on spinal stiffness and flexion-relaxation phenomenon of the lumbar spine","authors":"Pierre Mounier , Greg Kawchuk , Arnaud Delafontaine , Jacques Abboud , Martin Descarreaux , Mégane Pasquier","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102990","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102990","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to explore how Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) can induce changes in lumbar erector spinae neuromuscular activity, trunk kinematics and lumbar spine stiffness, and how DOMS can be confirmed as an experimental pain model for studying LBP mechanisms. Seventeen adult participants were asked to perform four sets of 25 repetitions of trunk flexion and extension. During these tasks, trunk muscle activity, spinal stiffness and kinematics were assessed. Our results suggest that in the presence of DOMS, significant increases in lumbar spine stiffness whereas only limited changes in flexion relaxation phenomenon parameters are observed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102990"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143609234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102989
Mina Khajooei, Andrew Quarmby, Frank Mayer, Tilman Engel
The ability to adapt to unexpected changes in environments is associated with the risk of running-related injuries. Although gait retraining programs can mitigate injury risk, there is a scarcity of studies focusing on neuromechanical adaptations during running with unpredictable perturbations. Hence, the current experiment aimed to analyse spatial–temporal and muscle activity adaptation during a perturbed running protocol. 23 participants performed a 5-minute unperturbed and an 8-minute perturbed running trial with a baseline velocity of 2.5 m/s. During the perturbation protocol, 30-one-sided decelerative perturbations were randomly applied to both legs. Spatial-temporal data and muscle activity of twelve lower extremity and trunk muscles were recorded during unperturbed and perturbed steps. Linear mixed models with repeated measures were applied to identify adaptation at any time point in the data. Statistical analysis indicated adaptation to the perturbation trial in comparison to baseline trial for step duration, length, width and upper- and lower-leg muscles. Adaptations characterized by decreased step duration and length and increased step width and muscle activity. This study has demonstrated participants’ ability to adapt their movement and muscle activity patterns while running with unpredictable perturbations. Therefore, introducing more diverse or novel perturbation stimuli to the human system may be necessary to continually challenge adaptation.
{"title":"Neuromechanical adaptation of a perturbation protocol during treadmill running","authors":"Mina Khajooei, Andrew Quarmby, Frank Mayer, Tilman Engel","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102989","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102989","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The ability to adapt to unexpected changes in environments is associated with the risk of running-related injuries. Although gait retraining programs can mitigate injury risk, there is a scarcity of studies focusing on neuromechanical adaptations during running with unpredictable perturbations. Hence, the current experiment aimed to analyse spatial–temporal and muscle activity adaptation during a perturbed running protocol. 23 participants performed a 5-minute unperturbed and an 8-minute perturbed running trial with a baseline velocity of 2.5 m/s. During the perturbation protocol, 30-one-sided decelerative perturbations were randomly applied to both legs. Spatial-temporal data and muscle activity of twelve lower extremity and trunk muscles were recorded during unperturbed and perturbed steps. Linear mixed models with repeated measures were applied to identify adaptation at any time point in the data. Statistical analysis indicated adaptation to the perturbation trial in comparison to baseline trial for step duration, length, width and upper- and lower-leg muscles. Adaptations characterized by decreased step duration and length and increased step width and muscle activity. This study has demonstrated participants’ ability to adapt their movement and muscle activity patterns while running with unpredictable perturbations. Therefore, introducing more diverse or novel perturbation stimuli to the human system may be necessary to continually challenge adaptation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102989"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143509329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102987
Simone Bettega , Lorenzo Bortolan , Federico Stella , Cantor Tarperi , Federico Schena , Barbara Pellegrini , Chiara Zoppirolli
Purpose
We examine the energetic and neuromuscular effects of running on even (E-T) and uneven terrains (UE-T) by creating smooth and rough conditions on a standardized circuit.
Methods
Ten adults (age 32.1 ± 7.6 years, body mass 62.2 ± 7 kg, height 167.5 ± 4.2 cm) ran on an ‘iterative-8-shaped’ path. For UE-T, solid hemispheres were fixed to a perforated mat, while for E-T, visible marks guided foot placement. Participants performed two 6-min trials on both terrains in a counterbalanced order, maintaining consistent running patterns and low-intensity speed with a metronome to guide step frequency. This ensured consistency in the timing and positioning of foot placement between the two conditions. Cardio-metabolic parameters were measured continuously, and muscle activation was recorded from six leg muscles using surface EMG.
Results
The analysis showed significantly higher cardio-metabolic responses in UE-T compared to E-T, with increases in oxygen cost (+18 %), energy cost (+23 %), respiratory frequency (+7%), ventilation (+19 %), heart rate (+10 %), and RPE (+50 %) (all p < 0.05). Electromyographic activation of the tibialis anterior (+22 %) and peroneus longus (+10 %) also increased in UE-T.
Conclusions
These findings indicate that running on uneven terrain demands more energy and greater activation of ankle stabilizers, as required in off-road and trail running.
{"title":"Energetic and neuromuscular impact of running on even or uneven surfaces in standardized laboratory conditions","authors":"Simone Bettega , Lorenzo Bortolan , Federico Stella , Cantor Tarperi , Federico Schena , Barbara Pellegrini , Chiara Zoppirolli","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.102987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>We examine the energetic and neuromuscular effects of running on even (E-T) and uneven terrains (UE-T) by creating smooth and rough conditions on a standardized circuit.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ten adults (age 32.1 ± 7.6 years, body mass 62.2 ± 7 kg, height 167.5 ± 4.2 cm) ran on an ‘iterative-8-shaped’ path. For UE-T, solid hemispheres were fixed to a perforated mat, while for E-T, visible marks guided foot placement. Participants performed two 6-min trials on both terrains in a counterbalanced order, maintaining consistent running patterns and low-intensity speed with a metronome to guide step frequency. This ensured consistency in the timing and positioning of foot placement between the two conditions. Cardio-metabolic parameters were measured continuously, and muscle activation was recorded from six leg muscles using surface EMG.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis showed significantly higher cardio-metabolic responses in UE-T compared to E-T, with increases in oxygen cost (+18 %), energy cost (+23 %), respiratory frequency (+7%), ventilation (+19 %), heart rate (+10 %), and RPE (+50 %) (all p < 0.05). Electromyographic activation of the tibialis anterior (+22 %) and peroneus longus (+10 %) also increased in UE-T.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings indicate that running on uneven terrain demands more energy and greater activation of ankle stabilizers, as required in off-road and trail running.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"81 ","pages":"Article 102987"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143437412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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