effect of finger tip contact on the electromyography activity of ankle muscles

To investigate the effect of the light touch, vision and dual task interference on the surface electromyography [sEMG] activity of ankle muscles. Thirty right handed healthy persons stood in an upright and semi-tandem position and pressed the sensor plate in a rate less than 50 gr. sEMG activity was measured in three muscles [Tibialis Anterior, Proneus Longuse and Soleuse on both lower limbs by Biometrics sEMG]. Four positions were considered in semi-tandem standing i.e.: 1] No Touch, No Counting; 2] No Touch, Counting; 3] Light Touch, No Counting; 4] Light Touch, Counting. Each of the above positions was tested in two positions by means of Eyes Open, Eyes Closed. sEMG activity of the ankle muscles was lower in the light touch contact [LTC] [P<0.05], but higher during no-counting than counting [P<0.05]. LTC and the concentration on counting, stimulate the Central Nervous System for activating the postural muscles of hip and trunk. So the amount of imposed force on ankle muscles will be reduced

Rating of perceived exertion as an indicator of exercise intensity in paraplegics

Energy expenditure is of paramount importance in the assessment of usefulness of wheelchair for paraplegics. Despite widespread recognition of problems associated with currently available mobility systems for persons with spinal cord injuries, development of more efficient systems has been slow. Lack of a suitable and simple technique for the assessment of energy expenditure in paraplegics has perhaps contributed to this slowness. To assess the energy expenditure with a simple technique, i.e. rating of perceived exertion during arm crank ergometry and crutch walking in paraplegics. The experiments can be divided into three phases; firstly, assessment of energy expenditure during seated arm crank ergometry in 10 paraplegics and 20 able-bodied subjects; secondly, upright arm crank ergometry in seven paraplegics and 20 able-bodied subjects. Arm crank ergometry was carried out with an incremental series protocol at three work rates [16, 28 and 40 watts] and at a cranking rate of 50 rpm. The third part was to assess the energy expenditure during crutch walking in five paraplegics and in 10 ablebodied subjects whilst walking with axillary crutches and kneeankle- foot orthoses. All subjects walked at their preferred speed on a figure of eight track. We measured the oxygen consumption, using the Douglas bag technique or the face mask method, and evaluated the rating of perceived exertion by the standard 6-20 Borg scale. The non-significant difference of two measured variables [oxygen consumption and rating of perceived exertion] between paraplegic and able-bodied subjects showed the consistency of measured variables for the assessment of energy expenditure during seated arm activities [e.g., wheelchair propulsion] in paraplegics. However, during upright arm crank ergometry, paraplegics found work at any given rate harder upright than seated. The results indicated a greater load on the cardiorespiratory system in paraplegics during crutch walking. The different responses to these types of arm exercises in thoracic paraplegics could be partly or wholly explained by impaired mechanisms of venous return in paraplegics, problems that would be particularly severe in upright posture. In addition, dividing by speed standardizes, both the energy cost and the physiological cost index; this has not been done for perceived exertion