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European Journal of Applied Physiology

Published in:

01-10-2017 | Original Article

Unintended activity in homologous muscle during intended unilateral contractions increases with greater task difficulty

Authors: Hironori Watanabe, Hiroaki Kanehisa, Yasuhide Yoshitake

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 10/2017

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aimed to examine (1) the effect of task difficulty on unintended muscle activation (UIMA) levels in contralateral homologous muscle, (2) the difference between young and old adults in degree of UIMA with respect to task difficulty, and (3) temporal correlations between intended and contralateral unintended muscle activity at low frequency during unilateral intended force-matching tasks.

Methods

Twelve young (21.8 ± 2.4 years) and twelve old (69.9 ± 5.3 years) adult men performed steady isometric abductions with the left index finger at 20–80% of maximal voluntary contraction force. Two task difficulties were set by adjusting the spacing between two bars centered about the target force used for visual feedback on a monitor. The amplitude of surface electromyogram (aEMG) for both hands was calculated and normalized with respect to the maximal value. To determine if oscillations between intended and unintended muscle activities were correlated, cross-correlation function (CCF) of rectified EMG for both hands at low frequency was calculated for samples deemed adequate.

Results

The unintended aEMG (right hand) had significant main effects in task difficulty, age, and target force (all P < 0.05) without any interactions. Distinct significant peaks in CCF (0.38 on average, P < 0.05) with small time lags were present between rectified EMGs of intended and unintended muscles in 14 of the 17 samples.

Conclusions

The current results indicate that UIMA increases with greater task difficulty regardless of age, and temporal correlations exist between intended and contralateral unintended muscle activities at low frequency.

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Title: Unintended activity in homologous muscle during intended unilateral contractions increases with greater task difficulty
Authors: Hironori Watanabe
Hiroaki Kanehisa
Yasuhide Yoshitake
Publication date: 01-10-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 10/2017
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3689-7

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Unintended activity in homologous muscle during intended unilateral contractions increases with greater task difficulty

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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