Comparison of muscle synergies before and after 10 minutes of running

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the modular control of locomotor tasks and compared the modules before and after a running intervention. [Subjects and Methods] Electromyographic measurements were performed on eight young, healthy males engaged in a 60s run on a treadmill at 2.8 m/s before and immediately after the 600s of running intervention. Electromyographic data for 15 trunk and lower-limb muscles on the right side were recorded. Muscle synergies were extracted from the electromyography signals using non-negative matrix factorization. [Results] Four modules explained the electromyographic activity of all muscles and had the functions of load acceptance (module 1), push-off (module 2), preparation of landing (module 3), and trunk-stabilization activity during the stance phase (module 4). Modules 1, 2, and 3 matched the basic modules reported in previous studies; whereas, module 4 was different before and after the intervention. [Conclusion] Before the intervention, module 4 engaged the trunk muscles and it was activated in the stance phase during running. However, after the intervention, module 4 engaged the muscles around the pelvis and it was activated after landing. This result suggests that the posture control changes from the trunk muscles to the lower-limb muscles after 10 minutes running.

A Systematic Review on Muscle Synergies: From Building Blocks of Motor Behavior to a Neurorehabilitation Tool

“…The MS can also be used to assess the distribution of the muscle weights during movements that are more vigorous. The abnormal shifting of the activation of the muscles can be observed from MS patterns and hence can help us in reducing the chances of injury [ 124 ].…”

“…Modulating compensatory synergies that minimizes the chances of injury by specific training is a better solution in sports rehabilitation and performance. Matsunaga et al analyzed the MS before and after 10 minutes of running [ 124 ]. Similar to previous studies, the number of MS was consistent.…”

“…Some sports like gymnastics require high postural stability. Trunk muscles play a vital role in human postural control [ 112 , 118 , 124 ]. Among gymnasts, while performing a giant swing, three synergies were identified [ 55 ].…”

“…Barroso's research on MS stated that functional motor impairment (spinal cord injury) quantitative assessment was performed well while cycling. Muscle synergy modulation plays a vital role in sports performance and, in the future, can become a vital tool in recovery from injury [ 55 , 124 , 126 ].…”

Comparison of Modular Control during Sidestepping with versus without Groin Pain

“…Muscle synergy indicates muscle coordination, whereas the activation coe‹cient indicates the activation timing of muscle synergy. We applied the NMF method to sports activities (Matsunaga et al, 2017a;2017b;Matsunaga and Kaneoka, 2018). Thus, this study aimed to clarify trunk and lower-limb muscle coordination in individuals with GP.…”