Document Detail


The effect of contraction intensity on force fluctuations and motor unit entrainment in individuals with essential tremor.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20045376     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES: Quantify the effect of increasing contraction intensity on the amplitude of force fluctuations and neuromuscular and force tremor spectral power. METHODS: Twenty-one subjects with essential tremor (ET) and 22 healthy controls applied isometric wrist extension contractions. Various sub-maximal contraction intensities were evaluated (5%-, 10%-, 20%- and 30%-MVC). Force fluctuations and wrist extensor neuromuscular activity were recorded using a load cell and electromyography (EMG). RESULTS: Higher contraction intensities were associated with larger amplitude force fluctuations and greater neuromuscular activation. However, spectral power associated with tremor peaks remained relatively constant (EMG) or decreased (force) with increasing contraction intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Motor unit entrainment associated with centrally generated oscillatory inputs does not increase with greater levels of muscle activation. SIGNIFICANCE: Rather than influencing a constant proportion of active motor units, abnormal oscillatory drive influences a relative constant number of total motor units. When combined with the findings from our previous study on postural tremor, the present results provide preliminary evidence that abnormal stretch reflex activity may contribute to this motor unit entrainment.
Authors:
M E H?roux; G Pari; K E Norman
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2009-12-31
Journal Detail:
Title:  Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology     Volume:  121     ISSN:  1872-8952     ISO Abbreviation:  Clin Neurophysiol     Publication Date:  2010 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-02-09     Completed Date:  2010-03-09     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100883319     Medline TA:  Clin Neurophysiol     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  233-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright (c) 2009 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
School of Human Kinetic, University of British Columbia, 210 - 6081 University Boulevard, BC, Canada. mheroux@interchange.ubc.ca
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Biological Clocks / physiology
Biomechanics
Disability Evaluation
Electromyography
Essential Tremor / physiopathology*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motor Neurons / physiology*
Muscle Contraction / physiology*
Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / physiology*
Muscle Strength / physiology*
Muscle, Skeletal / innervation,  physiopathology*
Wrist / physiopathology

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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