Age-related Differences in Shoulder Dynamic and Isometric Contractions

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Status: Completed

Conditions: Electromyography

Treatments: Device: Surface Electromyography

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04706169

CLirio04

Details and patient eligibility

About

A cross-sectional descriptive study, in which the surface electromyographic activity of five shoulder muscles was compared in two populations: older adults and adults. The evaluation of the electromyographic data offers a suitable foundation to understand aging process.

This supports that surface electromyography provide information about the aged shoulder muscles. Loss of functionality is suffered by a high percentage of older adults, which greatly limits their physical activity. In this sense, this paper presents findings that might be related with possible therapeutic approaches in subsequent studies.

Full description

Aging processes in the musculoskeletal system lead to functional impairments that restrict participation. Purpose: To assess differences in force and motor recruitment patterns of shoulder muscles between age groups to understand functional disorders. A cross-sectional study comparing thirty adults (20-64) and 30 older adults (>65). Surface-electromyography (sEMG) of the middle deltoid, upper and lower trapezius, infraspinatus and serratus anterior muscles was recorded. Maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) was determined at 45° glenohumeral abduction. For the sEMG signal registration, concentric and excentric contraction with and without 1 kg and isometric contraction were requested. Participants abducted the arm from 0° up to an abduction angle of 135° for concentric and excentric contraction; and from 0º to 45º and remained there at 80% of the MIVC level while isometrically pushing against a handheld dynamometer. Differences in sEMG amplitudes (root mean square, RMS) of all contractions, but also onset latencies during concentric contraction of each muscle between age groups were analyzed. Statistical differences in strength (Adults>Older adults;0.05) existed between groups. No significant differences in RMS values of dynamic contractions were detected, except for serratus anterior, but there were for isometric contraction of all muscles analyzed (Adults>Older adults;0.05). The recruitment order varied between age groups, showing a general tendency towards delayed onset times in Older Adults, except for the upper trapezius muscle. Age differences in muscle recruitment patterns were found, which underscores the importance of developing musculoskeletal data to prevent and guide geriatric shoulder pathologies.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy subjects
• No previously manifested symptoms in the shoulder joint and/or the neck during the past year,

Exclusion criteria

• Moderate or severe cognitive impairment
• Rheumatologic diseases
• Massive osteoarthritis
• Tumors
• Shoulder joint instability
• Circulatory disorders (hemophilia clotting problems)
• Dermatological problems exacerbated by contact with skin.

Trial design

60 participants in 2 patient groups

Older adults

Description:

Participants, without symptoms in the shoulder and / or cervical area (at least the last year), were assigned to the Older adult group: over 65 years.

Treatment:

Device: Surface Electromyography

Adults

Description:

Participants, without symptoms in the shoulder and / or cervical area (at least the last year), were assigned to the Adult groups: 20 to 64 years.

Treatment:

Device: Surface Electromyography