Mirror Electromyografic Activity in the Upper and Lower Extremity: A Comparison between Endurance Athletes and Non-Athletes

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Tom MaudrichChristopher J Steele

Abstract

During unimanual motor tasks, muscle activity may not be restricted to the contracting muscle, but rather occurs involuntarily in the contralateral resting limb, even in healthy individuals. This phenomenon has been referred to as mirror electromyographic activity (MEMG). To date, the physiological (non-pathological) form of MEMG has been observed predominately in upper extremities (UE), while remaining sparsely described in lower extremities (LE). Accordingly, evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms and modulation capability of MEMG, i.e., the extent of MEMG in dependency of exerted force during unilateral isometric contractions are insufficiently investigated in terms of LE. Furthermore, it still remains elusive if and how MEMG is affected by long-term exercise training. Here, we provide novel quantitative evidence for physiological MEMG in homologous muscles of LE (tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF)) during submaximal unilateral dorsiflexion in healthy young adults. Furthermore, endurance athletes (EA, n = 11) show a higher extent of MEMG in LE compared to non-athletes (NA, n = 11) at high force demands (80% MVC, maximum voluntary contraction). While the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of MEMG still re...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1992·The Journal of Physiology·A FerbertC D Marsden
May 1, 1992·Journal of the Neurological Sciences·M R DimitrijevicG Vrbovà
Oct 1, 1987·Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology·J Liederman, L M Foley
Apr 1, 1986·Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology·J I Todor, J A Lazarus
Dec 1, 1996·Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology·C A ArmatasJ L Bradshaw
Mar 17, 2001·The Journal of Physiology·R HanajimaI Kanazawa
May 16, 2001·Journal of Neurophysiology·I Zijdewind, D Kernell
Jun 19, 2002·Experimental Brain Research·Zsuzsanna Arányi, Kai M Rösler
Jun 1, 1965·Perceptual and Motor Skills·R YENSEN
Sep 16, 2004·Pediatric Neurosurgery·R Shane TubbsW Jerry Oakes
Sep 20, 2005·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·A J EspayA E Lang
May 18, 2006·Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society·Massimo CincottaUlf Ziemann
Nov 14, 2007·Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society·Donatella OttavianiAlfredo Berardelli
Jan 12, 2008·Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·M Cincotta, U Ziemann
May 3, 2008·Journal of Applied Physiology·Marijn PostInge Zijdewind
May 30, 2008·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Monica A Perez, Leonardo G Cohen
Aug 16, 2008·The European Journal of Neuroscience·Annemarie HübersUlf Ziemann
Aug 30, 2008·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Patricia K AddamoNellie Georgiou-Karistianis
Jan 5, 2011·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Tibor HortobágyiMark Hallett
Aug 10, 2011·Journal of Experimental Psychology. General·Catherine O FritzJennifer J Richler
Aug 22, 2012·Muscle & Nerve·Alicia M GoodwillDawson J Kidgell
Jan 18, 2013·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Christopher J SteeleVirginia B Penhune
Mar 13, 2013·Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·Shin-Yi ChiouYea-Ru Yang
Dec 18, 2013·Nutrition & Metabolism·Dominik H PestaChristian K Roberts
May 3, 2014·Brain Imaging and Behavior·Keith M McGregorAndrew J Butler
May 23, 2014·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Ursula DebarnotAymeric Guillot
Jun 18, 2015·Frontiers in Neuroanatomy·Quentin WelniarzEmmanuel Roze

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
imaging techniques

Software Mentioned

ProEMG

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.