Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2024, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 196-200.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2024.2.14

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Muscle synergy analysis during the sit-to-stand movement in elderly individuals with a history of falling

Liu Ruiping1,2, Qian Lei2, Liu Yanyan 2,3, Wan Xinzhu2, Chen Chunyan2, Wang Yining2, Yu Wanqi2, Ouyang Jun2*   

  1. 1. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 528406, Guangdong Province, China;  2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digital Medicine and Biomechanics & Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application & National Virtual & Reality Experimental Education Center for Medical Morphology (Southern Medical University) & National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; 3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
  • Received:2024-01-17 Online:2024-03-25 Published:2024-04-22

Abstract: Objective   To explore the change of muscle recruitment mechanisms during sit-to-stand (STS) movements in elderly individuals with a history of falls.    Methods    A total of 17 healthy young adults, 17 healthy elderly adults, and 9 elderly individuals with a history of falls were recruited. Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals and the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) from 16 muscles of the right lower limb were collected. Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) was used to assess fall risk, and muscle synergies were extracted by non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF). Results There was no significant difference in the number of muscle synergies among the three groups. In the elderly individuals with a history of falls, early activation of the hamstring and ankle plantar flexors at the beginning of sit-to-stand movement was transformed into additional muscle activity at the later stage of movement, in contrast to the healthy group. Furthermore, COP offsets and FES-I scores were significantly increased, indicating a lack of movement stability.   Conclusions    Abnormal activation of hamstrings and ankle dorsiflexion in elderly individuals with a history of falls during STS movements may affect lower limb stability and changes in muscle recruitment strategies.

Key words: Falls,  ,  , Sit-to-stand exercise,  ,  , Muscle synergy,  ,  , Surface electromyography

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