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Kine participates in a study of swimmers. The truly wireless EMG technology makes it possible to measure EMG in the water, during swimming.
Many studies have been done on motor control with people immersed in water using EMG measurements technology. Articles from early “70 are available to everyone in the international literature. Most of these research, if not all, are done under laboratory conditions, mostly because all equipments to measure EMG signals where linked with wires from the electrodes to the receiving station.
However with the new technology based on Kine's truly wireless EMG , many new fields open up for researchers to explore. Scientist are no longer restricted to laboratory setups and simple movements patterns, it is now possible to measure aquatic activities in the field. The Center for Sport and Health Sciences at University of Iceland has several projects ongoing in this field in collaboration with other universities and institutions in Europe. The researchers and institutions involved in the project are:
Johan Lambeck P.T. (Halliwick foundation and K.U.Leuven, Belgium)
Urs Gampers P.T. (Kliniek Valens, Switzerland)
Jane Hall Ph. D. (University of Bath)
Tapanyi Poyhonen Ph.D. (U of Jyvaskyla, Finland)
Ingi Þór Einarsson (U of Iceland)
Daniel Daly Ph.D. (K.U.Leuven Belgium)
EMG measurements in aquatic rehabilitation
Muscle recruitment patterns in Bad Ragaz Ring Method (BRRM) aquatic exercises: a preliminary stud
The Bad Ragaz Ring Method (BRRM) is a hands-on aquatic therapy concept, based on e.g. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). It aims at increasing muscular function at different levels of muscular intensity. Mainly inter-muscular coordination, intra-muscular coordination and muscular endurance are believed to be addressed. These functions are the basis for e.g. postural dynamic stability or core stability.
BRRM and especially PNF are used widely in physiotherapy / rehabilitation. BRRM includes some 20 well described patterns, based on PNF but adapted to make a patient additionally stable when floating in water. Patterns exist for the upper extremities (1), the trunk (10) and the lower extremities (13). All patterns are believed to influence trunk muscles, either directly or indirectly. PNF textbooks include tables of muscles that are (believed to be) activated in the specified patterns. To enhance muscular activity, special techniques from PNF, such as dynamic reversals and combination of isotonic and repeated contractions may be included in the patterns.
Research questions
Is there a typical pattern of muscle recruitment during BRRM movements and if so does this match that expected based on current literature? Pattern is defined as the muscles used and their recruitment in time.
Methods
The question would be verified in a first phase by examining a series of repetitive BRRM movements. Two expert persons would carry out BRRM exercises on two healthy participants. Fifteen to twenty repetitions of the movements would be carried out in fatigued and non-fatigued situations. Selection of movements would be made as to cover a wide range of muscles.
An example of rectified and integrated muscle activity for 9 repetitions of a BRRM leg movements including hip and knee flexion and extension with foot stabilization are given in figure 1.
Figure 1: Nine repetitions of a BRRM leg movements including hip and knee flexion and extension with foot stabilization.
It is expected that when these typical patterns are established treatment strategies will be improved as well as the teaching of those learning to perform such treatment. EMG signals could in fact be used as feedback to treatment providers especially regarding movement rhythm eg.
Kine will follow up on this work soon.
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