Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the responses in knee joint muscle activation patterns to different perturbations during gait in healthy subjects.
SCOPE: Nine healthy participants were subjected to perturbed walking on a split-belt treadmill. Four perturbation types were applied, each at five intensities. The activations of seven muscles surrounding the knee were measured using surface EMG. The responses in muscle activation were expressed by calculating mean, peak, co-contraction (CCI) and perturbation responses (PR) values. PR captures the responses relative to unperturbed gait. Statistical parametric mapping analysis was used to compare the muscle activation patterns between conditions.
RESULTS: Perturbations evoked only small responses in muscle activation, though higher perturbation intensities yielded a higher mean activation in five muscles, as well as higher PR. Different types of perturbation led to different responses in the rectus femoris, medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius. The participants had lower CCI just before perturbation compared to the same phase of unperturbed gait.
CONCLUSIONS: Healthy participants respond to different perturbations during gait with small adaptations in their knee joint muscle activation patterns. This study provides insights in how the muscles are activated to stabilize the knee when challenged. Furthermore it could guide future studies in determining aberrant muscle activation in patients with knee disorders.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 102572 |
| Journal | Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | October |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2021 |
Funding
We would like to thank Lizeth Sloot, Josien Rozendaal, Lars Aarts, and Menne van Willigenbrug for performing the measurements and the included participants for participation. This work was supported by the Dutch arthritis foundation (ReumaNederland) [grant number 15-1-402, 2015]. The authors confirm that there was no involvement of study sponsors on the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data, in the writing of the manuscript and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.