Vibration training for upper body: transmission of platform vibrations through cables.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vibration transmission from a vibration platform through Vectran cables to the upper body and its relationship to induced muscular activation. Fifteen clinically healthy participants performed 3 different arm exercises-biceps curl, triceps curl, and lateral raise. Vibration transmission to the upper body was assessed over a wide range of accelerations (from 1.90 to 5.98 g) and frequencies (from 25 to 40 Hz). To assess the vibration transmission, 7 triaxial accelerometers were attached from the hand up to the head, and the root-mean-square of acceleration signal of each site-specific body point was calculated. Muscular activity of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoid, and upper trapezius was recorded. The results showed a significant attenuation of the platform accelerations transmitted through the Vectran cables to the upper body. Handle vibration ranged between 27 and 44% of the acceleration delivered by the platform depending on platform vibration parameters (acceleration/frequency). Vibration increased the muscle activity of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoid, and upper trapezius muscles significantly only during biceps curl exercises. No frequency or acceleration effect was found on the size of the muscle response. The results of the present study suggest that a cable-pulley resistance system on a vibration platform channels the vibration safely from the platform to the arms and induces additional muscle activation in some arm muscles when biceps curl exercises are performed.

Transmission of whole-body vibration and its effect on muscle activation.

The aim of current study was to measure the transmission of whole-body vibration through the entire body and to relate this to body posture and induced muscular activation. Eight clinically healthy subjects performed 3 static body postures-high squat (135°), deep squat (110°), and erect stance, whereas vibration transmission was assessed over a wide range of accelerations (from 0.33 to 7.98 g) and frequencies (from 30 to 50 Hz). To assess the vibration transmission, 9 triaxial accelerometers were attached from the ankle up to the head and the root mean square of acceleration signal of each site-specific body point was calculated. Additionally, muscle activity from 7 lower limb muscles was recorded. The results showed a significant attenuation of the platform accelerations transmitted from the feet to the head. Compared with erect stance, knee bent posture significantly diminished vibration transmission at the hip, spine, and the head (p < 0.05). Vibration transmission to the spine was significantly lower in deep vs. high squat (p < 0.05), suggesting that further knee bending may reduce the risk of overloading the spine. Vibration increased the muscle activity in most leg and hip muscles during both squat postures, although, on average, no clear dose-response relationship between the acceleration and/or frequency and muscle response was found. The muscular activation of vastus medialis and rectus femoris showed clear negative correlation to the vibration transmission at the sternum. The specific vibration parameters used in the present study can be considered as safe and suitable for a training program. Moreover, the present results contribute to optimize the most advantageous whole-body vibration protocol and to determine the beneficial effects on muscle and bone.

Modeling human-bed interaction: the predictive value of anthropometric models in choosing the correct bed support.

The sleep system (i.e. the combination of mattress and bed base) is an important factor of the sleep environment since it allows physical recuperation during sleep by providing proper body support. However, various factors influence the interaction between the human body and the sleep system. Contributing factors include body dimensions, distribution of body weight and stiffness of the sleep system across the mattress surface. During the past decade, the rise of several new bedding technologies has made it increasingly difficult for the consumer to select a proper sleep system. Therefore, this study presents a method to model human-bed interaction in order to objectively predict the ideal sleep system for a particular individual. The proposed method combines a personalized anthropometric model with standardized load-deflection characteristics of mattress and bed base. Results for lateral sleep positions show a root mean square deviation of 11.9 ± 6.1 mm between modeled spine shapes and validation shapes, derived from 3D surface scans of the back surface. The method showed to be a reliable tool to individually identify the sleep system providing superior support from a variety of possible mattress-bed base combinations.

Test-retest reliability of wavelet - and Fourier based EMG (instantaneous) median frequencies in the evaluation of back and hip muscle fatigue during isometric back extensions.

The present study aimed at assessing the test-retest reliability of wavelet - and Fourier derived (instantaneous) median frequencies of surface electromyographic (EMG) measurements of back and hip muscles during isometric back extensions. Twenty healthy subjects (10 males and 10 females) performed a modified Biering-Sørensen test on two separate days, with a 1-week interval between the two tests. Surface EMG measurements were bilaterally performed from the latissimus dorsi, the thoracic and lumbar parts of the longissimus thoracis, the thoracic and lumbar parts of the iliocostalis lumborum, the multifidus, the gluteus maximus and the biceps femoris. In addition, three-dimensional kinematic data were recorded of the subjects' lumbar vertebrae. The (instantaneous) median frequencies were calculated from the EMG signals using continuous wavelet (IMDF) - and short-time Fourier transforms (MDF). Linear regressions performed on the IMDF and MDF data as a function of time yielded slopes (IMDF(slope) and MDF(slope)) and intercepts (IMDF(init) and MDF(init)) of the regression lines. Test-retest reliability was assessed on the normalized slopes and intercept parameters by means of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard errors of measurements expressed as percentages of the mean values (% SEM). The results of IMDF(slope) and MDF(slope) parameters indicated ICCs for back and hip muscles between .443 and .727 for IMDF(slope), values between .273 and .734 for MDF(slope), % SEM between 7.6% and 58.9% for IMDF(slope) and % SEM between 8.2% and 25.3% for MDF(slope), respectively. The ICCs for IMDF(init) and MDF(init) parameters varied between .376 and .907 for IMDF(init) and between .383 and .883 for MDF(init), and % SEM ranged from 2.7% to 6.3% for IMDF(init) and from 2.6% to 4.7% for MDF(init), respectively. These results indicate that both wavelet - and Fourier based (instantaneous) median frequency parameters generally are reliable in the analysis of back and hip muscle fatigue during a modified Biering-Sørensen test.

Correlations between short-time Fourier- and continuous wavelet transforms in the analysis of localized back and hip muscle fatigue during isometric contractions.

The aims of the current study were to examine the stationarities of surface electromyographic (EMG) signals obtained from eight bilateral back and hip muscles during a modified Biering-Sørensen test, and to investigate whether short-time Fourier (STFT) and continuous wavelet transforms (CWT) provided similar information with regard to EMG spectral parameters in the analysis of localized muscle fatigue. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the study after giving their informed consent. Reverse arrangement tests showed that 91.6% of the EMG signal epochs demonstrated no significant trends (all p>0.05), meaning 91.6% of the EMG signal epochs could be considered as stationary signals. Pearson correlation coefficients showed that STFT and CWT in general provide similar information with respect to the EMG spectral variables during isometric back extensions, and as a consequence STFT can still be used.