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01-08-2009 | Original Article

Experimental pain leads to reorganisation of trapezius electromyography during computer work with active and passive pauses

Authors: Afshin Samani, Andreas Holtermann, Karen Søgaard, Pascal Madeleine

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 6/2009

Abstract

The aim of this laboratory study was to investigate acute effects of experimental muscle pain on spatial electromyographic (EMG) activity of the trapezius muscle during computer work with active and passive pauses. Twelve healthy male subjects performed four sessions of computer work for 2 min in one day, with passive (relax) and active (30% maximum voluntary contraction of shoulder elevation) pauses given every 40 s without and with presence of experimental pain. Surface EMG signals were recorded from four parts of the trapezius. The centroid of exposure variation analysis along the time axis was lower during computer work with active pauses when compared with passive one in all muscle parts (P < 0.05). In presence of experimental pain, EMG amplitude increased in transverse and ascending parts and relative rest time decreased in ascending part. The results of this study showed a more variable trapezius activity pattern and increased activity with active compared with passive pauses, a lowered trapezius rest with presence of experimental pain, and increased activity in the transverse and ascending parts of trapezius due to experimental pain during computer work. Acute pain led to muscle activation pattern during computer work considered to increase the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

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Title: Experimental pain leads to reorganisation of trapezius electromyography during computer work with active and passive pauses
Authors: Afshin Samani
Andreas Holtermann
Karen Søgaard
Pascal Madeleine
Publication date: 01-08-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1083-9

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Experimental pain leads to reorganisation of trapezius electromyography during computer work with active and passive pauses

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