Electromyography and sonomyography analysis of the tibialis anterior: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundFoot dorsiflexion plays an essential role in both controlling balance and human gait. Electromyography (EMG) and sonomyography (SMG) can provide information on several aspects of muscle function. The aim was to establish the relationship between the EMG and SMG variables during isotonic contractions of foot dorsiflexors.MethodsTwenty-seven healthy young adults performed the foot dorsiflexion test on a device designed ad hoc. EMG variables were maximum peak and area under the curve. Muscular architecture variables were muscle thickness and pennation angle. Descriptive statistical analysis, inferential analysis and a multivariate linear regression model were carried out. The confidence level was established with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.05.ResultsThe correlation between EMG variables and SMG variables was r = 0.462 (p < 0.05). The linear regression model to the dependent variable “peak normalized tibialis anterior (TA)” from the independent variables “pennation angle and thickness”, was significant (p = 0.002) with an explained variance of R2 = 0.693 and SEE = 0.16.ConclusionsThere is a significant relationship and degree of contribution between EMG and SMG variables during isotonic contractions of the TA muscle. Our results suggest that EMG and SMG can be feasible tools for monitoring and assessment of foot dorsiflexors. TA muscle parameterization and assessment is relevant in order to know that increased strength accelerates the recovery of lower limb injuries.

Vastus medialis and lateralis activity during voluntary and stimulated contractions

“…The distal portion of the VM, which gets more active at long muscle length in comparison with short muscle length, 34 has a considerably greater fascicle pennation angle than the proximal portion of the VM, 35,36 whereas VL fascicle angle has been shown to be greater in its central portion. 35 Because a nonlinear relationship has been described between fascicle angle and EMG activity [37][38][39] as well as between fascicle angle and torque development 40 the knee angle-dependent differences in both EMG and VM/VL torque ratios observed in this study could be explained, at least in part, by the length-dependent variation in fascicle pennation angle between the 2 muscles. This assumption lends strong support to the theory of Blazevich et al 35 that changes in the relative activation of individual quadriceps muscles should change as "mechanical" requirements of the contraction are altered so that muscles with the most appropriate architectural design provide a greater contribution.…”

Empowering lower limbs exoskeletons: state-of-the-art

“…For example, the ultrasonic imaging of dynamic muscle activity, which is known as sonomyography, could be investigated to lower limbs exoskeletons control. This method was already examined in gait analysis 89 and proposed to control upper limb powered prosthesis. 90 Overall, constraints in life threatening operations using exoskeletons are nonetheless very high.…”

Predicting electromyographic signals under realistic conditions using a multiscale chemo–electro–mechanical finite element model

“…This likewise holds for the mechanical deformation. Experiments using ultrasound together with EMG measurements are performed in [49,50] to study the relation between architectural parameters, such as the pennation angle, and the EMG. As expected from the experimental findings of Hodges et al [49], the pennation angle increases during the isometric contraction.…”