ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3339-6668
Current Organisations
University of Birmingham
,
The Birmingham Back Pain Clinic
,
University of Birminhgam
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JELEKIN.2019.102361
Abstract: We investigate whether visual feedback on the spatial distribution of upper trapezius muscle activity can prolong time to task failure of sustained shoulder abduction. Surface electromyographic signals were acquired with a 13x5 grid of high-density electromyography (HDEMG) electrodes from the right upper trapezius muscle of 12 healthy volunteers as they performed sustained isometric shoulder abduction at 20% of their maximum voluntary contraction torque (MVC) until volitional exhaustion. Data were collected in two sessions one with HDEMG visual feedback on the spatial distribution of upper trapezius activity and one without feedback. Although the HDEMG litude maps could be voluntarily modified by the participants during the feedback condition (significant shift in the barycenter of activity towards the cranial direction, P = 0.038), this did not influence endurance time (total endurance time with HDEMG feedback: 149.01 ± 77.07 s, no feedback 141.74 ± 60.93 s, P = 0.532). Future studies should assess whether endurance performance can be enhanced by allowing changes in arm position during the task (changing fiber tension-length relationships), by providing a more in idual motor strategy, and/or by manipulating the colours used for the HDEMG maps (lighter colours for higher contraction intensities).
Publisher: American Physiological Society
Date: 10-2021
DOI: 10.1152/JAPPLPHYSIOL.01011.2020
Abstract: Pain induces changes in motor performance, motor unit recruitment, and rate coding behavior that varies across different contraction speeds. Here we show that that pain reduces motor unit discharge rate and prolongs the neuromechanical delay at slow contraction speeds only. This new evidence suggests that there are differential nociceptive inhibitory effects across the motor unit pool, which allows fast submaximal contractions to be exerted despite the presence of pain.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.APERGO.2021.103456
Abstract: Workers often develop low back pain due to manually lifting heavy loads. Instrumental-based assessment tools are used to quantitatively assess the biomechanical risk in lifting activities. This study aims to verify the hypothesis that high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) allows an optimized discrimination of risk levels associated with different fatiguing lifting conditions compared to traditional bipolar sEMG. 15 participants performed three lifting tasks with a progressively increasing lifting index (LI) each lasting 15 min. Erector spinae (ES) activity was recorded using both bipolar and HDsEMG systems. The litude of both bipolar and HDsEMG can significantly discriminate each pair of LI. HDsEMG data could discriminate across the different LIs starting from the fourth minute of the task while bipolar sEMG could only do so towards the end. The higher discriminative power of HDsEMG data across the lifting tasks makes such methodology a valuable tool to be used to monitor fatigue while lifting and could extend the possibilities offered by currently available instrumental-based tools.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-042525
Abstract: Performing contractions with minimum force fluctuations is essential for everyday life as reduced force steadiness impacts on the precision of voluntary movements and functional ability. Several studies have investigated the effect of experimental or clinical musculoskeletal pain on force steadiness but with conflicting findings. The aim of this systematic review is to summarise the current literature to determine whether pain, whether it be clinical or experimental, influences force steadiness. This protocol for a systematic review was informed and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Key databases will be searched from inception to 31 August 2020, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, ZETOC and Web of Science. Grey literature and key journals will be also reviewed. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa tool, and the quality of the cumulative evidence assessed with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines. If homogeneity exists between groups of studies, meta-analysis will be conducted. Otherwise, a narrative synthesis approach and a vote-counting method will be used, while the results will be presented as net increases or decreases of force steadiness. The findings will be presented at conferences and the review will be also submitted for publication in a refereed journal. No ethical approval was required. CRD42020196479
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Greece
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Michail Arvanitidis.