AUTHOR=Tomiak Tomasz , Gorkovenko Andriy V. , Tal'nov Arkadii N. , Abramovych Tetyana I. , Mishchenko Viktor S. , Vereshchaka Inna V. , Kostyukov Alexander I. 

TITLE=The Averaged EMGs Recorded from the Arm Muscles During Bimanual “Rowing” Movements

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2015.00349

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2015.00349

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>The main purpose was to analyze quantitatively the the average surface EMGs of the muscles that function around the elbow and shoulder joints of both arms in bimanual “rowing” movements, which were produced under identical elastic loads applied to the levers (“oars”). The muscles of <italic>PM group</italic> (“<italic>pulling” muscles</italic>: elbow flexors, shoulder extensors) generated noticeable velocity-dependent dynamic EMG components during the pulling and returning phases of movement and supported a steady-state activity during the hold phase. The muscles of <italic>RM group</italic> (“<italic>returning” muscles</italic>: elbow extensors, shoulder flexors) co-contracted with <italic>PM group</italic> during the movement phases and decreased activity during the hold phase. The dynamic components of the EMGs strongly depended on the velocity factor in both muscle groups, whereas the side and load factors and combinations of various factors acted only in <italic>PM group</italic>. Various subjects demonstrated diverse patterns of activity redistribution among muscles. We assume that central commands to the same muscles in two arms may be essentially different during execution of similar movement programs. Extent of the diversity in the EMG patterns of such muscles may reflect the subject's skilling in motor performance; on the other hand, the diversity can be connected with redistribution of activity between synergic muscles, thus providing a mechanism directed against development of the muscle fatigue.</p>