This study describes the neuromuscular state of premature babies in the context of the ontogenetic gravity and zero gravity model using the results of superficial interference electromyography (IEMG). During six postnatal weeks, the IEMG of premature babies is similar to the EMG of a full term baby during the first days of extrauterine life; it is characterized by a "simplified" temporal structure, as well as low amplitude and frequency. The IEMG dynamics of a premature baby is slow, in contrast to that one in a full term baby. This is, probably, due to the fact that the locomotion system of the latter is better prepared and more mature after spending as much time as possible in an intrauterine state. On the other hand, complexity and high amplitude of the IEMG in a premature baby, compared to a full term baby of the same postconceptual age, are associ ated with the inevitable sensory stimulation after birth. Abilitation procedures provided to a premature baby could be adapted to the purposes of post flight rehabilitation of astronauts.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the neuromuscular state in the preterm infants using surface electromyography (EMG). Ten preterm (gestational age, 31-32 weeks) and ten term infants (gesta tional age, 38-39 weeks) participated in the study in the second, fourth and sixth postnatal weeks. Linear and novel nonlinear parameters were used for the treatment of the interference EMG (iEMG) in four muscles (mm. bic. br. dext., trie. br. dext, tib. ant. sin., and gastr. sin.). In the preterm infants aged 33-37 weeks, both linear and nonlinear iEMG parameters were significantly lower in comparison to the term infants. Thus, the iEMG of the preterm infants was characterized by a more primitive time domain structure and lower ampli tude and spectrum frequency. In addition, unlike in term newborns, the lifetime dynamics of the iEMG parameters in the preterm infants was retarded. Thus, the motor system of a preterm infant is likely to be less prepared for postnatal life due to the shorter stay in utero. Nonetheless, the iEMG of the preterm infants may be characterized as more complex in comparison to the term newborns of the same postconceptual age. This may be attributed to the new postnatal sensory stimuli.
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