Bente R. Jensen

A model predicting individual shoulder muscle forces based on relationship between electromyographic and 3D external forces in static position

To study the potentiality for developing an EMG-based model for the human shoulder, mapping of relations between static hand forces and electromyographic (EMG) activity of 13 shoulder muscles, were performed. The procedure was to perform by the hands slowly varying isometric forces up to 20% maximum voluntary force in the three-dimensional space. By combining these data with literature values on muscle physiological cross-sectional area and moment arm data, an EMG-based model was developed for estimating muscle forces in the glenohumeral joint. The model was validated for one standardized position by comparing joint moment, calculated from EMG by using the model, with moments from the external force. The highest correlation between these moments was found assuming a linear EMG/force calibration at low force level (< 20% MVC), giving correlations from 0.65 to 0.95 for the abduction/adduction moment and from 0.70 to 0.93 for the flexion/extension moment, for the six subjects. Moments calculated from EMG were for most subjects somewhat lower than the moments from the external force; the mean residual error ranged from 1.6 to 9.9 Nm. Taking this into account, the results can be used for assessment of muscle forces based on recordings of external forces at the hands during submaximal static work tasks without substantially elevated arms.

Effect of speed and precision demands on human shoulder muscle electromyography during a repetitive task

Abstract Effects of speed and precision on electromyography (EMG) in human shoulder muscles were studied during a hand movement task where five points were marked repeatedly with a pencil. Six female subjects performed with three precision demands and at four speeds. Three of the speeds were predefined, while the last speed was performed as fast as possible. The EMG were recorded from 13 shoulder muscles or parts of muscles. Elbow velocity, acceleration and rectified EMG were calculated for each task. The mean elbow velocity and acceleration increased with speed and precision demands. There was an increase in EMG as the speed demand increased for all three precision demands (P < 0.001), and as the precision demand increased for the two highest predefined speed demands (P < 0.05). The combination of a high speed and a high precision demand resulted in the highest EMG. Different EMG levels were attained for the 13 muscles and the supraspinatus muscle always showed the highest normalized EMG. However, analysis of variance showed the same relative increase for all muscles with speed and precision demands. The EMG changes in response to precision demand can only be explained in part by the differences in movement velocity and acceleration, and other factors such as increased co-contraction must also be taken into account.

Motor control and kinetics during low level concentric and eccentric contractions in man

Motor unit (MU) recruitment patterns were studied in 6 female subjects during dynamic contractions at relative workloads corresponding to 10% maximum voluntary contraction. The contractions consisted of a 20 degree elbow flexion (concentric contraction) and extension (eccentric contraction) and MU action potential trains were recorded from the brachial biceps muscle. The mean angular velocity of the dynamic contractions was 10 degrees/s, during which a total of 119 MUs were identified. Additionally, a few contractions were studied at 20 degrees/s during which 30 MUs were identified, and 9 MUs during the 40 degrees/s contraction. About 60% of the identified MUs were active during the concentric as well as the eccentric phase for each of the velocities. Mean firing rate decreased significantly when the contraction changed from concentric to eccentric, whereas the number and properties of identified active MUs were similar. This emphasizes firing rate modulation as important during low level dynamic contractions rather than selective recruitment of different types of MUs in the concentric versus the eccentric phase. Similar kinetic demands occur frequently in occupational tasks, especially during monotonous work. The present data indicate that only a limited pool of MUs are being recruited during such tasks. Extensive recruitment of these MUs may cause fatigue and start a potentially vicious circle leading to work-related muscle disorders.

Performance and muscle activity during computer mouse tasks in young and elderly adults

The influence of age on performance and muscle activity was studied during computer mouse tasks designed to induce high demands on motor control. Eight young (mean age 25xa0years) and nine elderly (mean age 63xa0years) women participated. When the speed was self-determined, the elderly subjects performed 13%–18% slower than did the young. When speed was predefined, the error rate was higher in the elderly subjects than in the young ones (medium precision 7.8% compared to 2.5% , high precision 16.5% compared to 7.9%, respectively). The highest error rate was found for double-clicking (32.9% compared to 13.5%, respectively). The reduced performance in the elderly subjects was hypothesised to be a combined effect of deteriorated proprioception, increased motor unit size, and changes in the central nervous system. Electrical activity (EMG) was recorded from the forearm, shoulder and neck muscles. Higher levels of EMG activity were found in the elderly compared to the young. A likely explanation is that the impaired motor control necessitated an increased muscle activity. The highest levels of EMG activity and lack of EMG gaps were found for the forearm extensor muscles, especially the extensor digitorum muscle (mean EMG activity 10.4% compared to 8.1% of maximal electrical activity, EMGmax) whereas lower EMG activity levels were found for the shoulder region (e.g. right trapezius muscle mean EMG 2.8% compared to 1.1% EMGmax, respectively). The latter was possibly due to a relieving effect of the forearm support. Differences in muscle activity among the tasks were found, however they were minor for the shoulder and neck muscles. Consideration of the demands on motor control when designing user interfaces is recommended, to the benefit of both the young and the elderly.

Shoulder muscle load and muscle fatigue among industrial sewing-machine operators

SummaryPhysiological responses to physical work were assessed for 29 female industrial sewing-machine operators during an 8-h working day under ordinary working conditions. During sewing-machine work, the average (left and right) static load in the trapezius muscle was 9% of the maximal electromyogram (EMG) amplitude (% EMGmax), while the average mean load was 15% EMGmax, and the average peak load was 23% EMGmax. The static load level was unrelated to the muscle strength of the sewing-machine operators, which for the group as a whole was within the normal range. The load levels remained unchanged during the working day, while changes in the EMG mean power frequency and zero crossing frequency rate occurred, both indicating the development of muscle fatigue in left and right trapezius muscle during the working day. In line with this, the rating of perceived exertion in the shoulder and neck region increased during. the working day. Dividing the group of sewing-machine operators into two groups, those with the highest frequency and those with the lowest frequency of shoulder/neck troubles showed that the former group had significantly lower muscle strength, despite the fact that no differences in the surface EMG during sewing were found between the two groups. It was concluded that industrial sewing-machine work involves a pattern of shoulder muscle activity which induces fatiguing processes in the shoulder and neck regions. Furthermore, since the static shoulder muscle load was independent of muscle strength, factors other than working posture may be of significance for the static shoulder muscle load.

Intramuscular and surface EMG power spectrum from dynamic and static contractions

During sustained static contractions an increase in the root mean square (rms) amplitude and a decrease in mean power frequency (MPF), or median power frequency (MF) of the electromyographic (EMG) signal are indicators for the development of muscle fatigue. However, when studying dynamic contractions the interpretation of these variables has been questioned. Therefore, the purpose was to compare the EMG variables recorded from a non-fatigued muscle during a slow low level dynamic contraction to those during a static contraction of similar force level. Surface and intramuscular EMG registrations were obtained from the brachial biceps muscle during: (a) a static isotonic contraction, (b) a dynamic contraction and (c) a static anisotonic contraction. During contractions (a) and (b) the recruitment pattern was analysed using the precision decomposition method. No differences in rms, MPF or MF between the dynamic and static contractions or between the concentric and eccentric phase of the dynamic contraction were found. Furthermore 60% of the identified motor units were active both in the concentric and the eccentric phase. This indicates that motor control during a slow dynamic contraction at low force level does not influence the power spectrum. We suggest that in occupational studies a possible muscle fatigue development with time can be estimated using EMG recordings from the work tasks.

Motor unit recruitment and rate coding in response to fatiguing shoulder abductions and subsequent recovery

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate motor unit (MU) recruitment and firing rate, and the MU action potential (MUAP) characteristics of the human supraspinatus muscle during prolonged static contraction and subsequent recovery. Eight female subjects sustained a 30° shoulder abduction, requiring 11–12% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), for 30u2009min. At 10 and 30u2009min into the recovery period, the shoulder abduction was repeated for 1u2009min. The rating of perceived exertion for the shoulder region increased to “close to exhaustion” during the prolonged contraction, and the surface electromyography (EMG) recorded from the deltoid and trapezius muscles showed signs of local muscle fatigue. From the supraspinatus muscle, a total of 23,830 MU firings from 265 MUs were identified using needle electrodes. Of the identified MUs, 95% were continuously active during the 8-s recordings, indicating a low degree of MU rotation. The mean (range) MU firing rate was 11.2 (5.7–14.5)u2009Hz, indicating the relative force contribution of individual MUs to be larger than the overall mean shoulder muscle load. The average MU firing rate remained stable throughout the prolonged abduction, although firing rate variability increased in response to fatigue. The average concentric MUAP amplitude increased by 38% from the beginning (0–6u2009min) to the end (24–29u2009min) of the contraction period, indicating recruitment of larger MUs in response to fatigue. In contrast, after 10u2009min of recovery the average MU amplitude was smaller than seen initially in the prolonged contraction, but not different after 30u2009min, while the MU firing rate was higher during both tests. In conclusion, MU recruitment plays a significant role during fatigue, whereas rate coding has a major priority during recovery. Furthermore, a low degree of MU rotation in combination with a high relative load at the MU level may imply a risk of overloading certain MUs during prolonged contractions.

Dynamic loads on the upper extremities during two different floor cleaning methods

BACKGROUNDnBiomechanical models have been used frequently to estimate the load on the low back and the lower extremities during occupational work tasks. The shoulder region has received much less attention although this area is a common site of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical loading of the upper extremities during floor cleaning performed with different techniques.nnnDESIGNnA comparative study of six subjects performing floor cleaning with two different techniques (mopping and scrubbing) in a laboratory setting.nnnMETHODSnA force handle equipped with two force dynamometers was used for continuous measurement of three-dimensional forces on each hand, separately, during this two handed asymmetrical task. A link segment model of the upper extremities was used to calculate the mechanical loading of the elbows and shoulders. Electromyograms were recorded from six shoulder muscles.nnnRESULTSnDespite differences in movement patterns between mopping and scrubbing, only small differences were found in the moments of force. In accordance similar levels of electromyograms were found.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn preventive strategies, changing the cleaning tool may not be sufficient to change the load on the shoulder muscles.nnnRELEVANCEnCombined three-dimensional video recording and force measurements on the hands during a two-handed asymmetric work tasks allow calculation of the mechanical load on the elbow and shoulder. Thus it is possible to evaluate physiologically, new equipment designed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Before introducing such equipment in large scale interventions it may be evaluated if the changes in force requirements are sufficient to predict prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

The effect of prolonged isometric contractions on muscle fluid balance.

Ultrasound scanning was performed at three sites above the fossa supraspinata on nine healthy subjects and five patients with myofascial shoulder pain. This method produced a well-defined depiction of the soft tissue layers above the fossa supraspinata and reproducible muscle thickness measurements. In the healthy subjects the average distance from the skin surface to the trapezius muscle was 7.7 mm and the average thickness of the trapezius muscle was 5.3 mm, and the average thickness of supraspinatus muscle was 20.0 mm. The supraspinatus muscle was thinner at the medial measuring site than at the other two sites. In contrast, a tendency towards a larger distance was seen from the skin to trapezius muscle at the medial measuring site than at the other two sites. No statistical differences were found between the two groups of subjects either at rest or during brief shoulder abductions. All the subjects performed a 30° unilateral isometric shoulder abduction test to exhaustion. The median endurance time was 33 min for the healthy subjects and only 5 min for the patients. The ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were in line with this, since the increment in RPE with time was larger for the patients than for the healthy group. The reduced shoulder abduction endurance time in the patient group may have been related to impaired muscle function and/or pain development. During the 33-min shoulder abduction in the healthy subjects, the thickness of supraspinatus muscle increased by 14%, indicating muscle swelling, whereas the thickness of trapezius muscle remained constant. The fluid imbalance in the supraspinatus muscle compartment may well play a role in the development of muscle fatigue and the disorders found in industry resulting from prolonged work with arms elevated.

Role of potassium in the reflex regulation of blood pressure during static exercise in man.

1. The relationship between [K+] in venous effluent blood and alterations in mean arterial blood pressure was studied during static handgrip contractions at 15 and 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). 2. To further elucidate the importance of K+ in the reflex regulation of blood pressure a situation with normal recovery was compared with a situation in which 3 min of post‐exercise occlusion was applied by arresting the circulation to the forearm just prior to the cessation of the contraction. 3. There was a temporal as well as quantitative correlation between venous [K+] and the blood pressure response during and after static exercise. During 30% MVC mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) attained 161.7 mmHg and venous [K+] 5.8 mM, while the corresponding values during 15% MVC were 121.5 mmHg and 5.0 mM. 4. In the occlusion period mean arterial blood pressure remained elevated above resting level and provided a measure of the magnitude of muscle chemoreflexes. In the same period venous [K+] was maintained at 5.3 mM and 4.6 mM following 30% MVC and 15% MVC respectively. This is indicative of interstitial concentrations of above 8‐10 mM. This level is sufficiently high to stimulate type III and IV muscle afferents involved in the reflex regulation of blood pressure, and strengthens the notion that K+ may play an important role in eliciting the pressor reflex. 5. In contrast to [K+] the time course of venous blood concentrations of lactate and ammonia (NH3) exhibited a clear dissociation from the blood pressure recordings.