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Background and aim:The knee joint is one of the most important joints of human body, witch tolerates many forces while the subject is standing up or walking especially during close chain and squat positions.

Muscle fatigue may causes some modifications on effects of forces and accordingly some changes on strategy of movement, therefore the concentration in thigh muscles impression on continuous movements is a guidance that makes the investigation on these changes so important.

Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy women in the range of 20-30 years were contributed in this study. Muscle fatigue were applied in separate sessions by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in both open and close chains.

Subjects were done five dynamic repetitions of flexion / extension motion of knee before and after fatigue tests. Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded from vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during all conditions of tests. Normalized electromyography (NEMG) of muscles activities in two conditions of concentric (Con) and eccentric (Ecc), also median frequency (MF) were calculated for fatigue index. Muscle timing or recruitment pattern indicated by onset of muscle activities for both dynamics chains.

Results:  There are significant different of fatigue indexes between before and after fatigue tests (p<0.05).  After fatigue muscle timing delayed in open chain (p<0.05) and recruitment patterns changed from VL- VM- RF to VL-RF-VM. Fatigue test in close chain caused increment of muscle timing (p<0.05), but it did not change recruitment patterns.

Conclusion: After fatigue tests MF reduced little than NEMG. Significant difference occurred in muscle timing. These variations were increase and delay of timing with change of recruitment in open chain. These findings suggest that motor control strategy is will change at different condirions of with and without load situations.

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Background and aim: Asymmetric motions of trunk, external forces and other occupational factors such as frequent bending and twisting, lifting and forceful movement contribute to low back disorders. However, the dynamic and three-Dimensional motions of trunk at varying exertion levels were not addressed in literature. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the movement pattern and motor output during resisted trunk three-dimensional motion. 

Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy male subjects randomly performed dynamic asymmetric trunk motion at four resistance levels (nominal resistance, 25%, 50%, and 75% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque) while positioned in standing with the L5-S1 interspinous space aligned with the flexion / extension axis of isostation B200. Under each resistance condition, movement patterns (range of motion), motor output (maximum torque) of the trunk were measured.

Results: In general, with increasing resistance from nominal to 75% MVC torque, the maximum torque of trunk in different directions of motion (flexion, extension, right & left lateral flexion, right & left rotation) increased significantly (p= 0.000). With increasing resistance from nominal to 50%  MVC torque, the range of motion of the trunk decreased significant (p<0.0083), but no significant change was found in this variable between resistance conditions of 50% and 75% MVC torque (p>0.0083).

Conclusion: When the resistance level is increased , the created external forces  must be balanced by internal forces generated by trunk muscles. Because the muscles have short lever arms compared with the external forces, they must generate large amounts of forces, placing compressive and shear loads on the structures of the spine. Under these conditions, spine injuries may be enhanced.

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Background and aim: Belts and back supports are frequently used to prevent low back pain. Despite many studies, there are not sufficient evidence and conclusive consensus about the effects of these supports. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of lumbosacral supports on motor control pattern during combined trunk motion.

Materials and Methods: 30 healthy young men were selected for the study. Temporal parameters of motor control and activity level of three pairs of trunk muscles were measured during combined trunk motion against minimum resistance and resistance equal to 50% of maximal isometric strength, under with and without back support conditions.

Results: By application of a lumbosacral support, movement response time was significantly decreased under minimum resistance (P=0/004). Application of support decreased reaction time and motor time under two resistance conditions significantly (P<0/05). No significant changes were found in trunk muscle activity levels following wearing a back support (P>0/05).

 Conclusion: By application of a lumbosacral support, individual reaction time was decreased. Although back support did not change the trunk muscle activity level, but the erector spinae muscle efficiency was increased to initiate desired movement.

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Background and aim: Muscles are involved in complex and three dimensional activities. Timing and response to onset of external trigger need to perception and processing of data in central nervous system. The propose of this study is to determine reaction time, pre motor time and motor time with and without external load in healthy subjects. 

Material and methods: Twenty healthy subjects contributed in this study. Isoinertial dynamometer was used to assess complicated motions in sagital, frontal and transverse planes from full flexion, rotation and lateral flexion to right side to opposite direction inclusive full extension, rotation and lateral flexion to left side without and with 25 and 50% MVE. Reaction time, pre motor time, motor time, and maximum torque were also measured.

Results: Following combined motions,  reaction time and pre motor time were increased by external load (25 and 50% MVE). Lateral flexion showed more changes than extension (P<0.001). By increasing load, particularly in extension time and maximum torque were changed (P<0.001).

 Conclusion: Reaction time and pre motor time in combined motions are affected under extension and lateral flexion motions. Rotation has less effect on combined motions. Motions occur in sagital and frontal plane more than transverse plane. 

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Background and aim: Swallowing disorder is one of the most important complaints of patients with upper motor neuron lesions.The rate of disphagia increases due to elderly subjects and brain injuries in our society Majority of these patients have hidden aspiration. Electromyographic assessment of swallowing can produce indicators of recovery and treatment effectiveness. This study tries to indicate pattern and recruitment of muscle activity in swallowing by surface electromyography.
Methods and Materials: Twenty healthy subjects (20-50) and ten subjects with swallowing dysfunction contribute at this study. Activities of bilateral orbicularis oris, buccinator, sternocleidomastoid and anterior region of throat muscles recorded during three stage of liquid swallowing include water, juice and honey by surface electrodes. Value of activity (RMS), duration of activity (Dur) , median (Mdf) and band (Banf) frequency of above muscles were measured.
Results: Healthy subjects indicated increase of RMS, Dur, Mdf and Banf of muscles, following increase of sweeten and viscose of liquid (P<0.05). Patients had more increase of this findings at oral muscles markedly, whereas Dur of throat muscle showed more increase in time (P<0.05). Comparison of between two groups indicated patients have more Dur time especially at throat muscles (P<0.05) and in contras reduce of activities and frequency parameters than healthy subjects (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Patients lean to keep liquid in oral phase and during throat swallow have more limitation. Patients may catch early fatigue and dysfunction for maintenance and keep of liquid particularly in throat region and it redound to change of trajectory of liquid to the respiratory tube. Therefore, rehabilitation protocols must enforce on coordination of oropharengeal muscles and recovery by movement therapy patterns.

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Background and Aim: Biomechanical conditions of limbs can affect on motor unit recruitment (MUR) markedly. Surface Electromyography (SEMG) is an approach for evaluation of muscle activities and onset time during different functions. The purpose of this study is to use SEMG for detection of central motor control in different functions of knee extensor muscles.

Materials and Methods: Ten healthy subjects contributed in this study. They were done five repetitions of knee flexion/extension in open and close chain separately during recording of SEMG simultaneously. Integrated EMG (iEMG) of three middle repeated cycles were detected according to chain (open- close) and kind of contraction (concentric- eccentric).then the Average of three slope of iEMG compared to each other. 

Results: There were not significant differences in MUR of three extensor muscles for concentric and eccentric contractions in open chain but vastus medialis and lateralis muscles showed significant changes in close chain (P<0.05). Result showed that there were significant differences of MUR for two kind of muscle contractions between open and close chains (P<0.05).  

Conclusion: Recruitment of motor units has not shown difference in open chain between concentric and eccentric contractions. This process indicates representative similarity of control pattern in two kind of contraction in open chain. Concentric contraction at close chain cycle has more MUR in comparison with eccentric contraction. It is equal to more interference of contractible compartment in concentric to eccentric contraction. This happens due to the nature of two kind of contraction particularly in close chain cycle. Comparison between two chains indicated that more motor units contribute in close chain (concentric and eccentric). It means that motor unit recruitment increased due to effect of increase of load in close chain. 

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Background and aim: Spinal injury especially during occupational lifting is one of the most common neuromuscular disorders in the general population of the world. Asymmetric motions of trunk frequent bending and twisting, lifting and forceful activities contribute to spine disorders. Sport as a comprehensive activity might be able to cause less force to the spine and decrease spinal injuries. The purpose of present study was to determine the effect of lifting on motor control pattern during combined symmetric and asymmetric trunk motions on athlete and non-athlete subjects.
Materials and Methods: Seventeen non-athlete female subjects and seventeen athlete female subjects performed to lift four loads ( 5,7,9 ,12 kilogram ) at symmetric and asymmetric conditions. Under each condition temporal parameters of motor control were measured on flexor and extensor of trunk muscles.
Result: In two groups of athletes and non-athletes with increasing load , muscles begin their activity faster ( P<0.05 ). No significant change was found at asymmetric condition. Also, in athletes premotor time of muscles during lifting was less than non-athletes.
Conclusion: With increasing load, according to the feed forward control mechanism and awareness of subjects from amount of loads, muscles quickly prepared to contract for starting the movement. It seems that the response of movement on the neuromotor system of athletes is preprogrammed and automatic due to sport experience. Actually muscles have anticipation activity.

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Background and Aim: Muscle fatigue is a factor that caused muscle injuries. Ability to perform movement without error and controllability has important role in reduction of injuries. Reproduce ability of motion is reduced after muscle fatigue. Evaluation of motor control can produce suitable conditions for assessment of these changes and help us treatment guide lines for prevention of injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate motor control changes following onset of fatigue in patients with anterior knee pain as a physiological aspect.
Materials and Methods: Fifteen voluntary female (10 healthy, 5 patients with bilateral syndromes) participated in this study. During dynamic fatigue test (open and closed chain movements), muscle activities were recorded from bilateral vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris (20 healthy and 10 patients quadriceps muscles) by surface electromyography (sEMG). Five dynamic cycles of motions were selected before and immediately after fatigue and then average of three middle cycles were compared for Symmetry Index (SI) as motor control assessment.  Also Median Frequency (MDF) were computed as an indicator for onset of fatigue. 
Results: MDF reduced significantly in both groups. This reduction was markedly showed in patients group. Reduction of SI was significant after fatigue test. Comparison of SI between groups indicated that before fatigue there was significant difference but after fatigue test was not significant.  
Conclusion: Dynamic motions can produce muscle fatigue and reduction of MDF. High central control system used different synergies following pain and functional impairment. Synergy patterns change after dynamic motions fatigue and cause reduction of SI. This change is dependent to pain and functional impairment and has not a stable pattern. 

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Background and Aim: Different aspects of the motor control parameters of dominant and non-dominant legs are investigated but the effect of dominancy on motor control strategy is still unclear. The aim of the present study is to compare the pre- motor time, motor time and reaction time in dominant and non- dominant leg muscles of the non- professional healthy athletes in response to visual stimulus during forward jumping.

Methods and Materials: Eleven non- professional healthy athletes participated in this cross-sectional study determined by convenience non probability sampling. Surface electromyography were performed in the dominant and non-dominant leg muscles including  gastrosoleous , peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, and tibialis anterior in response to visual stimulus during forward jumping.

Results: There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the dominant and no-dominant legs with respect to the pre-motor time, motor time and reaction time of the gastrosoleus, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis and tibialis anterior.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that limb dominancy is not an important parameter in the motor control studies.

Keywords: Motor control strategy, Visual stimulus, Forward jumping

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Background and Aim: The structure and function of the hamstring and quadriceps can contribute to the development and process of patellofemoral pain syndrome. As open and closed kinetic chain exercises have different effects on the knee joint, the aim of the current study was to investigate motor control of knee joint in both kinetic chains according to voluntary response index aspect.

 

Materials and Methods: 12 healthy knees and 12 injured knees (6 females in each group) were examined. Surface electromyography were performed in knee muscles including vastus medialis oblique, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris while the subjects were doing flexion-extension of knee joint by isokinetic dynamometer system and one leg semi-squat movement. Then voluntary response index was calculated.

 

Results: There were no significant difference between the patients and healthy groups (p>0.05). In the patient group, correlation between similarity index and magnitude was seen.

 

Conclusion: Probably in the low intensity patellofemoral syndromes, voluntary response index could not differentiate between healthy and the patient groups. In the patients with patellofemoral syndrome group, correlation between similarity index and magnitude may represent co-contraction in their muscles.

 

Keywords: Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Motor control, Voluntary response index, Surface electromyography