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Age-related Differences in Shoulder Dynamic and Isometric Contractions

Completed
Conditions
Electromyography
Interventions
Device: Surface Electromyography
Registration Number
NCT04706169
Lead Sponsor
University of Castilla-La Mancha
Brief Summary

A cross-sectional descriptive study, in which the surface electromyographic activity of five shoulder muscles was compared in two populations: older adults and adults. The evaluation of the electromyographic data offers a suitable foundation to understand aging process.

This supports that surface electromyography provide information about the aged shoulder muscles. Loss of functionality is suffered by a high percentage of older adults, which greatly limits their physical activity. In this sense, this paper presents findings that might be related with possible therapeutic approaches in subsequent studies.

Detailed Description

Aging processes in the musculoskeletal system lead to functional impairments that restrict participation. Purpose: To assess differences in force and motor recruitment patterns of shoulder muscles between age groups to understand functional disorders. A cross-sectional study comparing thirty adults (20-64) and 30 older adults (\>65). Surface-electromyography (sEMG) of the middle deltoid, upper and lower trapezius, infraspinatus and serratus anterior muscles was recorded. Maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) was determined at 45° glenohumeral abduction. For the sEMG signal registration, concentric and excentric contraction with and without 1 kg and isometric contraction were requested. Participants abducted the arm from 0° up to an abduction angle of 135° for concentric and excentric contraction; and from 0º to 45º and remained there at 80% of the MIVC level while isometrically pushing against a handheld dynamometer. Differences in sEMG amplitudes (root mean square, RMS) of all contractions, but also onset latencies during concentric contraction of each muscle between age groups were analyzed. Statistical differences in strength (Adults\>Older adults;0.05) existed between groups. No significant differences in RMS values of dynamic contractions were detected, except for serratus anterior, but there were for isometric contraction of all muscles analyzed (Adults\>Older adults;0.05). The recruitment order varied between age groups, showing a general tendency towards delayed onset times in Older Adults, except for the upper trapezius muscle. Age differences in muscle recruitment patterns were found, which underscores the importance of developing musculoskeletal data to prevent and guide geriatric shoulder pathologies.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy subjects
  • No previously manifested symptoms in the shoulder joint and/or the neck during the past year,
Exclusion Criteria
  • Moderate or severe cognitive impairment
  • Rheumatologic diseases
  • Massive osteoarthritis
  • Tumors
  • Shoulder joint instability
  • Circulatory disorders (hemophilia clotting problems)
  • Dermatological problems exacerbated by contact with skin.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Older adultsSurface ElectromyographyParticipants, without symptoms in the shoulder and / or cervical area (at least the last year), were assigned to the Older adult group: over 65 years.
AdultsSurface ElectromyographyParticipants, without symptoms in the shoulder and / or cervical area (at least the last year), were assigned to the Adult groups: 20 to 64 years.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
onset muscle contractionday 1

The onset was obtained as the time distance of the interception between the level of pre-activation relative to the onset of arm displacement during dynamic contraction and the linearly interpolated RMS slope

The mean Root Mean Square (RMS) valueday 1

The electromyographic data were captured simultaneously on a computer by using the LabChart® software. Within the time interval from 2 to 4 seconds after contraction initiation a power spectrum analysis was performed together with the determination of RMS values. The mean RMS values were automatically obtained from the software.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maximal isometric voluntary contractionday 1

Using hand-held dynamometer

body mass indexday 1

is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. Enter your weight and height using standard or metric measures.

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