Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing
The aim of the study was to determine the correct movement patterns of fencing techniques in wheelchair fencers. Through a comprehensive analysis, the key muscles in the kinematic chain exposed to potential injuries were identified. The study participants were 16 wheelchair fencers, divided into two...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/5/2430 |
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| author | Zbigniew Borysiuk Monika Błaszczyszyn Katarzyna Piechota Wojciech J. Cynarski |
| author_facet | Zbigniew Borysiuk Monika Błaszczyszyn Katarzyna Piechota Wojciech J. Cynarski |
| author_sort | Zbigniew Borysiuk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of the study was to determine the correct movement patterns of fencing techniques in wheelchair fencers. Through a comprehensive analysis, the key muscles in the kinematic chain exposed to potential injuries were identified. The study participants were 16 wheelchair fencers, divided into two groups representing two categories of disability: Group A (N = 7) comprising fencers with mild paraplegia, having freedom of movement of the trunk and arms; and Group B (N = 9) comprising fencers with a spinal cord injury and partial paresis of the arms. EMG and an accelerometer were used as the main research tools. The EMG electrodes were placed on the muscles of the sword arm as well as on the left and right sides of the abdomen and torso. The EMG signal was transformed using wavelet analysis, and the muscle activation time and co-activation index (CI) were determined. In Group A fencers, first the back and abdominal muscles were activated, while in Group B, it was the deltoid muscle. The wavelet coherence analysis revealed intermuscular synchronization at 8–20 Hz for Group A fencers and at 5–15 Hz for Group B fencers. In Group A fencers, the co-activation index was 50.94 for the right-side back and abdominal muscles, 50.75 for the ECR-FCR, and 47.99 for the TRI-BC pairs of upper limb muscles. In contrast, Group B fencers demonstrated higher CI values (50.54) only for the postural left-side muscle pairs. Many overload injuries of the shoulder girdle, elbow, postural muscles, spine, and neck have been found to be preventable through modification of current training programs dominated by specialist exercises. Modern wheelchair fencing training should involve neuromuscular coordination and psychomotor exercises. This will facilitate the individualization of training depending on the fencer’s degree of disability and training experience. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:48:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9f3b4be3459c4ddb8a2944d7e75e9196 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:48:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9f3b4be3459c4ddb8a2944d7e75e91962023-11-23T22:40:39ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-02-01125243010.3390/app12052430Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair FencingZbigniew Borysiuk0Monika Błaszczyszyn1Katarzyna Piechota2Wojciech J. Cynarski3Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, 45-758 Opole, PolandFaculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, 45-758 Opole, PolandFaculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, 45-758 Opole, PolandInstitute of Physical Culture Studies, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszow, PolandThe aim of the study was to determine the correct movement patterns of fencing techniques in wheelchair fencers. Through a comprehensive analysis, the key muscles in the kinematic chain exposed to potential injuries were identified. The study participants were 16 wheelchair fencers, divided into two groups representing two categories of disability: Group A (N = 7) comprising fencers with mild paraplegia, having freedom of movement of the trunk and arms; and Group B (N = 9) comprising fencers with a spinal cord injury and partial paresis of the arms. EMG and an accelerometer were used as the main research tools. The EMG electrodes were placed on the muscles of the sword arm as well as on the left and right sides of the abdomen and torso. The EMG signal was transformed using wavelet analysis, and the muscle activation time and co-activation index (CI) were determined. In Group A fencers, first the back and abdominal muscles were activated, while in Group B, it was the deltoid muscle. The wavelet coherence analysis revealed intermuscular synchronization at 8–20 Hz for Group A fencers and at 5–15 Hz for Group B fencers. In Group A fencers, the co-activation index was 50.94 for the right-side back and abdominal muscles, 50.75 for the ECR-FCR, and 47.99 for the TRI-BC pairs of upper limb muscles. In contrast, Group B fencers demonstrated higher CI values (50.54) only for the postural left-side muscle pairs. Many overload injuries of the shoulder girdle, elbow, postural muscles, spine, and neck have been found to be preventable through modification of current training programs dominated by specialist exercises. Modern wheelchair fencing training should involve neuromuscular coordination and psychomotor exercises. This will facilitate the individualization of training depending on the fencer’s degree of disability and training experience.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/5/2430wheelchair fencingEMGwavelet analysismuscle co-activation |
| spellingShingle | Zbigniew Borysiuk Monika Błaszczyszyn Katarzyna Piechota Wojciech J. Cynarski Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing Applied Sciences wheelchair fencing EMG wavelet analysis muscle co-activation |
| title | Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing |
| title_full | Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing |
| title_fullStr | Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing |
| title_short | Electromyography, Wavelet Analysis and Muscle Co-Activation as Comprehensive Tools of Movement Pattern Assessment for Injury Prevention in Wheelchair Fencing |
| title_sort | electromyography wavelet analysis and muscle co activation as comprehensive tools of movement pattern assessment for injury prevention in wheelchair fencing |
| topic | wheelchair fencing EMG wavelet analysis muscle co-activation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/5/2430 |
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