Coupling Robot-Aided Assessment and Surface Electromyography (sEMG) to Evaluate the Effect of Muscle Fatigue on Wrist Position Sense in the Flexion-Extension Plane

Abstract

Proprioception is a crucial sensory modality involved in the control and regulation of coordinated movements and in motor learning. However, the extent to which proprioceptive acuity is influenced by local muscle fatigue is obscured by methodological differences in proprioceptive and fatiguing protocols. In this study, we used high resolution kinematic measurements provided by a robotic device, as well as both frequency and time domain analysis of signals captured via surface electromyography (sEMG) to examine the effects of local muscle fatigue on wrist proprioceptive acuity in 16 physically and neurologically healthy young adults. To this end, participants performed a flexion/extension ipsilateral joint position matching test (JPM), after which a high-resistive robotic task was used to induce muscle fatigue of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle. The JPM test was then repeated in order to analyze potential changes in proprioceptive acuity. Results indicated that the fatigue protocol had a significant effect on movements performed in flexion direction, with participants exhibiting a tendency to undershoot the target before the fatigue protocol (−1.218°), but overshooting after the fatigue protocol (0.587°). In contrast, in the extension direction error bias values were similar before and after the fatigue protocol as expected (pre = −1.852°, post = −1.237°) and reflected a tendency to undershoot the target. Moreover, statistical analysis indicated that movement variability was not influenced by the fatigue protocol or movement direction. In sum, results of the present study demonstrate that an individual’s estimation of wrist joint displacement (i.e., error bias), but not precision (i.e., variability), is affected by muscular fatigue in a sample of neurologically and physically healthy adults.

Wrist Position Sense in Two Dimensions: Between-Hand Symmetry and Anisotropic Accuracy Across the Space

“…In any case, making the JPM task as easy as possible, from the cognitive/attentional point of view, is critical for clinical applications. Although this study involved only healthy subjects, we did take into account the cognitive factor while choosing implementation details; for example, the break in the middle of the testing session was introduced in order to maintain the subjects cognitively focused on the task and avoid effects of both cognitive and muscle fatigue ( Mugnosso et al, 2019 ).…”

Sustained Isometric Wrist Flexion and Extension Maximal Voluntary Contractions Similarly Impair Hand-Tracking Accuracy in Young Adults Using a Wrist Robot

“…Although separate laboratory groups have attributed fatigue-induced accuracy deficits to isolated mechanisms, the underlying cause is almost certainly multi-factorial. Literature has reported numerous factors, including decreased force availability (Jones et al, 2002 ), greater signal-dependent noise (Missenard et al, 2008a ), slower contractile speed (de Haan et al, 1989 ), decreased co-contraction during precision movements (Gribble et al, 2003 ; Missenard et al, 2008b ), and impaired proprioception (Pedersen et al, 1999 ; Mugnosso et al, 2019 ). Force availability is likely linked with signal-dependent noise (SDN), where “signal” is the optimal force output to execute a given task, and “noise” is any force deviation from that ideal.…”

“…Perceived fatigability refers to the subjective state of the individual and thus involves subjective measures, while performance fatigability is measured through objective laboratory-based assessments characterizing the functional decline of performance (Marrelli et al, 2018 ). Performance fatigability (modulated by both muscle contractile function and by voluntary muscle activation, or classically termed peripheral and central fatigue; Kluger et al, 2013 ), can manifest experimentally as decreased movement accuracy (Missenard et al, 2008b ), impaired proprioception acuity (Pedersen et al, 1999 ; Mugnosso et al, 2019 ), decreased co-contraction during precision movements (Gribble et al, 2003 ; Missenard et al, 2008b ), and decreased peak contractile speed and torque generation (de Haan et al, 1989 ). These factors not only compromise joint stability but also contribute to greater signal-dependent noise (SDN; signal meaning the optimal, ideal force required to perform a task, and noise meaning any deviation from that ideal) (Missenard et al, 2008a ).…”

Dynamic Wrist Flexion and Extension Fatigue Induced via Submaximal Contractions Similarly Impairs Hand Tracking Accuracy in Young Adult Males and Females

“…Even more proximal fatigue, such as at the cervical extensors, showed decrements in joint position sense and proprioception in the upper limb (Zabihhosseinian et al, 2015 ). Similar work using the WristBot and a fatiguing protocol showed decrements in proprioceptive ability after a fatiguing task at the wrist (Mugnosso et al, 2019 ). Lastly, it is important to note that fatiguing movements possessing an eccentric contraction result in the most significant joint position sense impairments (Brockett et al, 1997 ).…”

“…Performance fatigability is a decline in the objective measures of performance as a result of a fatiguing protocol (Enoka and Duchateau, 2016 ). In joints where fatigue and performance have been examined, performance fatigability may manifest as decreased movement accuracy (Mugnosso et al, 2019 ) and increased force variability (Missenard et al, 2008a ). Some mechanisms responsible for the decline in performance are due to peripheral (i.e., contractile function) or central (i.e., muscle activation) factors.…”