TY - JOUR
T1 - Responses in knee joint muscle activation patterns to different perturbations during gait in healthy subjects
AU - Schrijvers, Jim C.
AU - van den Noort, Josien C.
AU - van der Esch, Martin
AU - Harlaar, Jaap
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Gait
KW - Joint stability
KW - Knee
KW - Muscle activation
KW - Perturbations
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85110130984&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102572
DO - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102572
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85110130984
SN - 1050-6411
VL - 60
JO - Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
JF - Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
M1 - 102572
ER -