PHYS THER
Vol. 69, No. 2, February 1989, pp. 119-129
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Vaughan, V. G
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Vaughan, V. G
Related Collections
Right arrow Adaptive/Assistive Devices
Right arrow Injuries and Conditions: Upper Extremity
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?

Articles

Effects of Upper Limb Immobilization on Isometric Muscle Strength, Movement Time, and Triphasic Electromyographic Characteristics

Victor G Vaughan

V Vaughan, MS, PT, is Supervisor of Physical Therapy, Temple Physical Therapy, 60 Temple St, New Haven, CT 06510 (USA).

The effects of short-term immobilization on isometric muscle strength, movement time, and triphasic integrated electromyographic characteristics were assessed during a simple ballistic elbow flexion and extension movement. The nondominant upper limbs in six subjects (two female, four male) were immobilized in a plaster cast for 14 days. Testing consisted of isometric muscle strength output of elbow flexors and extensors; movement time; and IEMG output of the agonist, antagonist, and second agonist contractions during the ballistic movements. An analysis of variance revealed a decrease in flexor strength of the casted limb (p < .05). Movement time was not significantly slowed. Antagonist IEMG amplitude was decreased (p < .01) during flexion, and agonist IEMG amplitude (p < .05) and antagonist IEMG amplitude (p < .05) were diminished during extension of the casted limb. In conclusion, short-term upper limb immobilization affects primarily elbow flexion strength and some IEMG characteristics during a ballistic forearm movement, suggesting an influence on the neuromuscular aspects of the affected muscles.

Key Words: Electromyography • Immobilization • Muscle performance, upper extremity


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?