Altered neuromuscular control in individuals with exercise-related leg pain

Franettovich, Melinda, Chapman, Andrew R., Blanch, Peter and Vicenzino, Bill (2010) Altered neuromuscular control in individuals with exercise-related leg pain. Medicine and Science in Sports and Excercise, 42 3: 546-555.


Author Franettovich, Melinda
Chapman, Andrew R.
Blanch, Peter
Vicenzino, Bill
Title Altered neuromuscular control in individuals with exercise-related leg pain
Journal name Medicine and Science in Sports and Excercise  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2010-03
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181b64c62
Volume number 42
Issue number 3
ISSN 1530-0315; 1530-0315
Start page 546
End page 555
Total pages 10
Place of publication Philadelphia, PA, United States
Publisher Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Collection year 2011
Language eng
Subject C1
110317 Physiotherapy
920201 Allied Health Therapies (excl. Mental Health Services)
Formatted abstract Purpose: To compare neuromuscular control of the lower limb during gait between individuals with and without a history of exercise-related leg pain (ERLP).

Methods: Fourteen females with a history of ERLP and 14 age-, height-, and weight-matched asymptomatic female controls participated in the study. Electromyographic activity, normalized to maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), from 12 lower limb muscles during walking gait was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were three-dimensional kinematics of the lower limb during gait, measurements of static foot posture (arch height and midfoot width in weight bearing and non-weight bearing), and foot mobility (difference in arch height and midfoot width from non-weight bearing to weight bearing and foot mobility magnitude).

Results: Individuals with a history of ERLP demonstrated lower peak activation (13.7% MVC, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.2%-24.3% MVC) and lower average activation of gluteus medius (2.3% MVC, 95% CI = 0.3%-4.3% MVC) when compared with controls (P < 0.05). This reduction in gluteus medius activation was moderately determined (57.1%, P = 0.01) by the duration ([beta] = 0.555) and severity of pain ([beta] = -0.516). Peak and average activation of lateral gastrocnemius were also lower than controls (20.5% MVC, 95% CI = 0.6%-40.5% MVC and 1.7% MVC, 95% CI = 0.2%-3.1% MVC, respectively) but were not explained by pain duration or severity. No differences in kinematics at the ankle, knee, hip and pelvis, or differences in static foot posture and mobility were observed between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: This study provides evidence of altered neuromuscular control of gait in females with a history of ERLP. Further work is required to discern the clinical relevance of this finding.
Copyright: ©2010The American College of Sports Medicine
Keyword Electromyography (emg)
Motor control
Muscle activation
Musculoskeletal pain and injury
Shin splints
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Official 2011 Collection
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Publications
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: TR Web of Science Citation Count  Cited 2 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article | Citations
Scopus Citation Count Cited 2 times in Scopus Article | Citations
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 67 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Tue, 02 Mar 2010, 15:13:40 EST by Meredith Downes on behalf of School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences