A Study on the Differences of Quadriceps Femoris Activities by Knee Alignment during Isometric Contraction

[Purpose] This study attempted to identify how genu varum or valgum affects the electromyographic activities of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris during knee isometric contraction. [Subjects] Fifty-two healthy young adults were enrolled in this study. They were enrolled and classified into three groups by knee alignment conditions: the genu varum, genu valgum, and control groups. [Methods] The electromyographic activity ratio of the vastus medialis to the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris were calculated using the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction. The participants contracted their quadriceps during isometric contraction at 30 and 60° of knee flexion. [Results] The genu varum group had more activity in the vastus medialis than in the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, whereas the genu valgum group had more activity in the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris than in the vastus medialis. There was a significant difference in the muscle activity ratio between the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis by angle of knee flexion degree only in the genu valgum. There were no significant differences in any of the three groups in terms of the muscle activity ratio of the vastus medialis to the rectus femoris by angle of knee flexion. [Conclusion] The quadriceps femoris was used for different strategies according to knee alignment during isometric contraction at 30 and 60°. This study suggests that rehabilitation training programs used to strengthen the quadriceps should consider the knee alignment conditions of the target subjects.Key words: Electromyography, Quadriceps muscle, Isometric contraction     

Neuromuscular and architectural alterations of the vastus lateralis muscle in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis]

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms involved in muscle weakness in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. SUBJECTS: We investigated 7 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. METHOD: We measured knee position sense and isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors. Electromyographic (EMG) measurement of biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) involved different levels of contraction (25, 50, 75 and 100% MVC). Neuromuscular efficiency of quadriceps was also calculated (MVC/EMG). Ultrasonography was used to investigate the VL architectural parameters at the median part of the VL for different levels of contraction (25, 50, and 75% MVC). All tests were performed on the osteoarthritic and healthy knees. RESULTS: The quadriceps MVC of the affected knee was reduced by 30%. The VL thickness of the affected knee was 10% smaller than that of the unaffected knee. VL activity seen on EMG did not differ between knees, but RF, VM and BF activity was greater in the unaffected than affected knee. Neuromuscular efficiency was higher (26%) in the unaffected knee. Knee position sense was reduced by 33% in the affected knee. CONCLUSION: Quadriceps weakness associated with knee osteoarthritis seems to be related to changes in muscle rather than pennation angle and changes in fascicule length.     

膝关节骨关节炎患者膝屈伸肌的表面肌电信号研究

目的 评价单侧膝关节骨关节炎（OA）患者在不同运动状态下的健、患侧膝屈伸肌的肌肉功能和协调活动差异，为临床制定康复方案提供依据。方法 用Noraxon Myosystem1200型表面肌电图仪对26例单侧膝关节骨关节炎患者的等长肌肉收缩功能和下蹲运动进行表面肌电信号的测试。结果 患侧股外侧肌和股二头肌在最大等长收缩和下蹲运动时的肌电振幅均值小于健侧（P〈0．05）。在最大等长收缩过程中，患侧的拮抗肌协同收缩率较健侧增高（P〈0．05）；在下蹲运动过程中，患侧的胭绳肌共同活动比率高于检测（P〈0．05）。结论 表面肌电图测试可用于量化评价膝OA患者在不同运动过程中肌肉功能。膝OA患肢在不同运动状态下均可能存在肌肉功能降低和肌力平衡异常。康复治疗不仅应重视股四头肌肌力增强而且应重视改善膝关节的肌力平衡。     

Changes in muscle activity during fast, alternating flexion-extension movements of the knee

The effects of high frequency alternating knee flexion-extension on muscle activity of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups has been investigated. Standard loads were used for each subject. The muscle activity in vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and the lateral hamstrings were recorded by electromyography during increasing velocities. Rectus femoris and hamstrings were found to increase their activities significantly with increasing speed while vastus medialis and vastus lateralis showed no such change. The individual thigh muscles thus differ in function in relation to the velocity of movement.     

An electromyographic analysis of quadriceps femoris muscle setting and straight leg raising

Physical therapists routinely advise patients to perform quadriceps femoris muscle setting or straight leg raising or both following knee surgery or trauma from knee injury. Little information exists, however, about the intensity of effort required from knee and hip musculature during the exercises. This study was designed to compare the level of electromyographic activity during maximally resisted straight leg raises with the level during quadriceps femoris muscle setting exercises for the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris muscles. Forty healthy young adult men and women performed randomly ordered trials of each exercise in the supine position. Electromyographic activity was recorded from surface electrodes and normalized to values derived from maximal isometric trials. Statistical analysis demonstrated significantly greater (p less than .0001) vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius muscle activity during quadriceps femoris muscle setting. The rectus femoris muscle was significantly more active (p less than .0001) during the straight leg raise. The study demonstrated remarkably different muscle activation levels between the exercises studied and clearly indicates that selection of the exercises needs to be based on the therapeutic objectives.     

Electromyographic analysis of knee exercises in healthy subjects and in patients with knee pathologies

Little information exists about the intensity of contraction required from knee and hip musculature during common therapeutic exercises used for patient populations. This study, therefore, was designed to compare electromyographic data obtained from the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris muscles during maximally resisted straight-leg-raising (SLR) exercises with EMG data obtained from the same muscles during quadriceps femoris muscle setting (QS) exercises in healthy subjects and in patients with knee pathologies. Of the 30 participants in the study, 16 had a history of knee injury or surgery. All participants performed randomly ordered trials of the SLR and QS exercises while the EMG data were recorded from surface electrodes and normalized to values derived from maximal effort isometric contraction trials. An analysis of variance demonstrated significantly greater activity (p less than .05) of the vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius muscles during QS exercises than during SLR exercises. The rectus femoris muscle was significantly more active (p less than .05) during SLR exercises than during QS exercises. The study demonstrated remarkably different degrees of muscle activation between the SLR and QS exercises, indicating that the exercise selected will affect the therapeutic intention.     

Differences in onset time between the vastus medialis and lateralis during stair stepping in individuals with genu varum or valgum

[Purpose] We investigated the difference in onset time between the vastus medialis and lateralis according to knee alignment during stair ascent and descent to examine the effects of knee alignment on the quadriceps during stair stepping. [Subjects] Fifty-two adults (20 with genu varum, 12 with genu valgum, and 20 controls) were enrolled. Subjects with > 4 cm between the medial epicondyles of the knees were placed in the genu varum group, whereas subjects with > 4 cm between the medial malleolus of the ankle were placed in the genu valgum group. [Methods] Surface electromyography was used to measure the onset times of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis during stair ascent and descent. [Results] The vastus lateralis showed more delayed firing than the vastus medialis in the genu varum group, whereas vastus medialis firing was more delayed than vastus lateralis firing in the genu valgum group. Significant differences in onset time were detected between stair ascent and descent in the genu varum and valgum groups. [Conclusion] Genu varum and valgum affect quadriceps firing during stair stepping. Therefore, selective rehabilitation training of the quadriceps femoris should be considered to prevent pain or knee malalignment deformities.Key words: Quadriceps muscle, Genu varum, Genu valgum     

膝骨关节炎患者股内侧肌、股直肌和股外侧肌间的协调性

目的应用表面肌电图和等速肌力测定方法比较膝骨关节炎患者与正常人股内侧肌、股直肌和股外侧肌间的协调性改变。方法34例膝骨关节炎患者和34名膝关节健康者在膝关节屈曲10°、60°、100°等长伸膝和等速60°/s、180°/s伸膝运动测试模式下,进行股内侧肌(VM)、股直肌(RF)和股外侧肌(VL)的表面肌电图和股四头肌肌力的评测,包括肌肉激活启动顺序和VM/VL神经肌电比值。结果与正常人对比,膝骨关节炎患者在等速180°/s伸膝运动时VM相对于VL启动延迟（P＜0.05）;在膝屈10°等长伸膝运动时,VM/VL神经肌电比值降低（P＜0.05）。结论膝骨关节炎患者患侧股四头肌的协调性减退。     

运动疗法对膝关节骨关节炎患者肌发电量的影响

目的：研究肌发电量在膝关节骨关节炎患者股四头肌肌力训练中的变化情况及股四头肌的详细变化情况。方法：采用股四头肌的等长收缩运动训练方法和其他疗法进行比较,用肌电图进行股直肌、股内侧肌、股外侧肌的肌发电量测定,同时用“膝关节功能评定表”进行功能的辅助评定。结果：两种方法治疗后,股直肌、股内侧肌的肌发电量都有显著的变化,尤其以股内侧肌的变化极显著,股外侧的肌发电量无显著变化。两种方法中肌力训练较其他治疗方法在提高肌发电量方面更为有效。结论：股内侧肌在膝关节肌力锻炼中的变化最大,说明股内侧肌比股直肌和股外侧肌在稳定膝关节方面更重要。股外侧肌在训练中的变化最小,在维护膝关节的稳定性方面起的作用比股内侧肌和股直肌小;肌力训练比其他方法在增加肌发电量方面更有效,更能提高膝关节的稳定性。     

Electromyographic activity of the quadriceps components during the final degrees of knee extension

An imbalance in the recruitment patterns of the quadriceps muscle has been implicated in patellofemoral knee pain; however ambiguity remains in the normal recruitment patterns of this muscle. We investigated the activity of the quadriceps muscle during the final degrees of knee extension, specifically in the medial and lateral components. Sixteen healthy subjects (age; 22.5 (± 3.4) years, body mass; 67.5 (± 12.1) kg and height; 173.9 (± 10.4) cm) participated.Torque and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps muscle were measured during isokinetic and isometric knee extensions. Torque and EMG activity reduced in all component muscles during the final degrees of isokinetic extension, but this did not occur during isometric contractions at similar angles. Normalised activity of rectus femoris (RF) was greater than that of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) during the final degrees of isokinetic knee extension at 30°/sec; there were no differences between any component muscles at the higher velocities. VMO:VL and vastus medialis longus (VML):VL ratios were unchanged during knee extensions, except that VML:VL ratio increased significantly during the final degrees of extension at 30°/sec. Future work should compare these results with people with anterior knee pain, and explore this further during activities of daily living.     

Quantified electromyography of lower-limb muscles during level walking

The electromyography (EMG) of eleven different lower limb muscles of ten healthy subjects was quantified during normal level walking. The surface EMGs obtained were normalized, in percentage, to the activity obtained during an isometric maximum voluntary test contraction of each subject. The mean peak activities of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and medial hamstring muscles occurred at heel-strike and were between 5 and 15% of max isometric EMG. The magnitudes of tibialis anterior and triceps surae muscular activity were higher than those of the other muscles investigated. Mean peak activity in tibialis anterior was 27%, in gastrocnemius medialis 42%, in gastrocnemius lateralis 19% and in soleus 40%. The important role of the triceps surae during walking was reflected in comparatively high muscular activity at push-off.     

Electromyographic and kinematic analysis of therapeutic knee exercises under water.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate muscle function and kinematics during commonly used knee rehabilitation exercises performed in water. DESIGN: Maximal effort single extension and flexion trials in still water and repeated extension-flexion trials in flowing water in barefoot condition were analysed from 18 healthy participants (8 men, 10 women). BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that water exercises are widely used, there are only few studies involving biomechanical and hydrodynamical analysis of aquatic exercises in rehabilitation. METHODS: Electromyography of the quadriceps (vastus medialis, vastus lateralis) and hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus) and angular velocities of the movements were recorded under water. RESULTS: In the repeated extension-flexion exercises the early reduction of agonist activity occurred concurrently with a high level of activity of the antagonists. In the single trial exercises the level of antagonistic activity was low throughout the range of motion, whereas the level of agonist activity was higher during the final phase of the range of motion as compared with the repeated exercises. Angular velocity patterns and values were similar between the two types of exercises. CONCLUSIONS: The present data demonstrated that the flowing properties of water modified the neuromuscular function of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles acting as agonists and antagonists in the knee flexion-extension exercises.     

Temporal activity of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: Knee osteoarthritis has a major impact on quadriceps function, yet its effect on the specific temporal recruitment of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the electromyographic onset of vastus medialis obliquus activity relative to that of vastus lateralis in individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and in an asymptomatic control group during the functional task of stair climbing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, comprising 41 participants with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and 33 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected in the timing of onset of vastus medialis obliquus relative to that of vastus lateralis between the osteoarthritis and control groups. Radiographic osteoarthritis severity, presence of patellofemoral joint disease, and pain intensity did not seem to influence the temporal relationship of the vastii in the osteoarthritis group. CONCLUSION: The presence of symptomatic, radiographic knee osteoarthritis is not associated with deficits in the temporal recruitment of vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis during stair climbing. This implies that selective retraining of the individual components of the quadriceps is not indicated in rehabilitation programs for patients with this disease.     

Neuromuscular activation in conventional therapeutic exercises and heavy resistance exercises: implications for rehabilitation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Central activation failure and muscular atrophy are common after knee joint injury. Thus, exercises that aim to stimulate muscular hypertrophy and increase neural drive to the muscle fibers should be used during rehabilitation. This study examined the level of knee joint neuromuscular activation during 4 conventional therapeutic exercises (quadriceps femoris muscle setting, manual lateralization of the patella, rhythmic stabilization, and the pelvic bridging exercise) and 4 heavy resistance exercises (free-weight squat with a barbell, horizontal seated leg press, isolated knee extension with a cam mechanism, and isolated hamstring muscle curl) in young, untrained men who were healthy. SUBJECTS: Thirteen male subjects (mean age=25.3 years, SD=3.0) with no previous history of knee injury participated in the study. METHODS: Neuromuscular activation during the exercises was defined as the root-mean-square (RMS) electromyographic (EMG) signal normalized to the peak RMS EMG signal of a maximal isometric muscle contraction. RESULTS: Low levels of neuromuscular activation were found during all conventional exercises (<35%). A limitation may be that only a few of many different conventional exercises were investigated. The highest level of neuromuscular activation (67%-79%) was observed during the open kinetic chain resistance exercises (isolated knee extension and hamstring muscle curl). None of the conventional exercises or heavy resistance exercises were found to preferentially activate the vastus medialis muscle over the vastus lateralis muscle. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results indicate that heavy resistance exercises should be included in rehabilitation programs to induce sufficient levels of neuromuscular activation to stimulate muscle growth and strength.     

Differences of quadriceps activity during inline lunge by using FMS assessment

[Purpose] This study assessed the exercise capacity of healthy adults while performing the inline lunge exercise by using Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Compared the difference in muscle activity of the quadriceps according to the exercise capacity. [Participants and Methods] Thirty two healthy participants (12 males, 20 females) participated in this study. The surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the electrical activities for the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) of quadriceps. [Results] Both groups had significant difference when sitting up and getting up during the inline lunge. In scores 3 group, vastus medialis showed higher muscle activity than vastus lateralis. On contrary, in scores 2 group, vastus lateralis had higher muscle activity than vastus medialis. [Conclusion] Therefore, this study suggests that inline lunge can help to strengthen the quadriceps effectively by showing the difference of quadriceps activity according to exercise capacity.Key words: Inline lunge, Muscle activity, Functional movement screen     

Effect of torso position on arthrometric assessment of anterior knee laxity

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of changes in torso position on arthrometric assessment of knee laxity. Anterior tibial translation (ATT) of 12 control and 12 ACL deficient subjects was assessed using a Dynamic Cruciate Tester during five maximal isometric knee extensions and five passive tests (240 N load) on the right and left knee in each of three torso positions: vertical, reclined, and supine. Electromyographic activity of rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semimembranosus were sampled during arthrometric assessment. Results indicated there was no significant difference in mean ATT as a function of torso position. However, subjects demonstrated significantly greater hamstring activity when seated vertically compared to reclined or supine and significantly greater hamstring activity when reclined compared to supine.     

Dynamic analysis of above-knee amputee gait

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand the characteristics of amputee gait to develop more functional prostheses. The aim of this study is to quantitatively evaluate amputee gait by dynamic analysis of the musculoskeletal system during level walking and stair climbing. METHODS: Dynamic analysis using gait analysis, electromyography and musculoskeletal modeling for above-knee amputees (n=8) and healthy adults (n=10) was performed to evaluate the muscle balance, muscle force, and moment of each major muscle in each ambulatory task. Time-distance parameters and the kinematic parameter of gait analysis were calculated, and a root mean square electromyogram of major muscles and hamstring and tibialis anterior coactivity was measured using electromyography. Lastly, dynamic analyses of above-knee amputee gaits were performed using musculoskeletal models with scaled bones and redefined muscles for each subject. FINDINGS: Most kinematic parameters showed statistically no difference among the tasks, excluding pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and hip abduction. Major muscle activities and coactivities of the hamstring and tibialis anterior showed that the stair ascent task needed more muscle activity than the stair descent task and level walking. The muscle activity and coactivity of amputees were greater than those of healthy subjects, excluding the hamstring coactivity during stair ascent (P<0.05). Lastly, dynamic analysis showed that weakened abductor and excessive adductor and then inadequate torque during all tasks were quantitatively observed. INTERPRETATION: Dynamic analysis of amputee gait enabled us to quantify the contribution of major muscles at the hip and knee joint mainly in daily ambulatory tasks of above-knee amputees and may be helpful in designing functional prostheses.     

Relationship between the EMG ratio of muscle activation and bony structure in osteoarthritic knee patients with and without patellar malalignment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare muscle activation patterns and patellofemoral joint morphologies between patients with knee osteoarthritis with and without patellar malalignment. SUBJECTS: The subjects were divided into 3 groups. Group A comprised 11 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis without patellar malalignment. Group B comprised 14 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis with patellar malalignment. Group C comprised 10 age-matched subjects with non-knee osteoarthritis as controls. METHODS: Isokinetic dynamometry with surface electromyography was used to measure maximal muscle activity in terms of vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis ratios. Merchant's view was taken to analyse the bony anatomy of the patellofemoral joint. Recordings were made at angular velocities of 80, 120 and 240 masculine/sec. RESULTS: The electromyographic ratios of group B were lower than groups A and C for all testing velocities (p<0.05). Group B also had larger sulcus angles, lateral patellar tilt and displacement. The electromyographic ratios correlated negatively with sulcus angles. CONCLUSION: Subjects with knee osteoarthritis with patellar malalignment exhibited an imbalance in quadriceps contraction, as confirmed by altered vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis ratios associated with larger sulcus angles of the patellofemoral joints. The sulcus angle may be an important contributing factor in causing abnormal patellar tracking in knee osteoarthritis.     

Quantity and Quality of the Lower Extremity Muscles in Women with Knee Osteoarthritis

The objective of the study described here was to compare lower extremity muscle quantity and quality between individuals with and those without knee osteoarthritis (OA). Twenty-one women with knee OA (mild, n = 8; severe, n = 13) and 23 healthy patients participated. Ultrasonography was used to measure muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity (EI) of the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior. MTs of the vastus medialis and vastus intermedius were smaller, and EIs of the vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, gluteus medius and tibialis anterior were larger, in the severe OA group compared than in the healthy group. Compared with the healthy group, the mild OA group had decreased MT and enhanced EI. Changes in quality and quantity occurring with knee OA progression differed among muscles. In the vastus medialis, change was observed from an earlier stage.     

Delayed onset of quadriceps activity and altered knee joint kinematics during stair stepping in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the electromyographic onset of vastus lateralis and kinematic knee joint motion in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) differs from that of asymptomatic persons, during the task of stair stepping. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: University laboratory in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five participants with symptomatic knee OA and 33 asymptomatic controls. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surface electromyography to determine the onset of vastus lateralis activity. Two-dimensional kinematic analysis of sagittal plane knee motion during stance phase of stair ascent and descent. RESULTS: Participants with knee OA showed delayed onset of vastus lateralis activity during stair descent (P<.05) but not ascent. Both groups displayed a similar total range of knee motion. However, during stair descent, participants with OA had less knee flexion during early stance (P<.05) than controls. CONCLUSION: Individuals with knee OA display altered quadriceps function and knee joint kinematics during stair descent. These impairments may have implications for force attenuation across the knee joint and warrant future investigation.