Article
Physiology
Loic Espeit, Vianney Rozand, Guillaume Y. Millet, Julien Gondin, Nicola A. Maffiuletti, Thomas Lapole
Summary: This study examined the effects of frequency and tendon vibration superimposition on the extra torque generated by wide-pulse NMES. High-frequency NMES resulted in greater extra torque magnitude compared to low-frequency NMES in responders, and tendon vibration superimposition did not have an effect on extra torque occurrence or magnitude. Further research is needed to optimize force production through extra torque occurrence and magnitude.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Youssif Merhi, Pablo F. Betancur, Teresa S. Ripolles, Charlotte Suetta, Morten R. Brage-Andersen, Sofie K. Hansen, Anders Frydenlund, Jens Vinge Nygaard, Peter H. Mikkelsen, Pablo P. Boix, Shweta Agarwala
Summary: Muscle atrophy is a common problem caused by immobilization and critical illness, leading to rehabilitation difficulties and increased mortality. This study presents a solution for preserving muscle mass through the use of a customized biocompatible neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device. The integration of dry and biocompatible electrodes into a compressive stocking textile was demonstrated, resulting in extended usage without skin irritation. Electrochemical analysis showed improved performance of the printed electrodes compared to commercial ones, and promising results were obtained in a hospital setting for muscle atrophy evaluation.
Article
Physiology
Martina Scalia, Martina Parrella, Riccardo Borzuola, Andrea Macaluso
Summary: The study compared acute responses in spinal excitability, as measured by H-reflex, between older and young individuals. The results showed that H-reflex amplitudes did not change in older participants following any experimental condition, while in young participants, H-reflex amplitudes significantly increased following NMES+ and decreased following pNMES. These findings suggest a reduced ability of older individuals in modulating spinal excitability.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Riccardo Borzuola, Stefano Nuccio, Martina Scalia, Martina Parrella, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Ilenia Bazzucchi, Francesco Felici, Andrea Macaluso
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different training methods on the discharge characteristics of the tibialis anterior motor units. It was found that neuromuscular electrical stimulation superimposed on voluntary muscle contractions (NMES+) can increase motor unit discharge rate, especially when higher forces are required. This result suggests that NMES+ enhances neural control of muscles and is closely related to the distinctive motor fiber recruitment characterizing NMES+.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Fangtong Zhang, Mengzi Sun, Feng Qu, Kelsey Lewis, Jung Hun Choi, Qipeng Song, Li Li
Summary: This study investigated the effects of foot sole insensitivity on the outcomes of the triceps surae muscle H-reflex and functional gait. It was found that the group with less tactile sensation showed reduced functional gait capacity compared to the group with more sensitivity. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between H/M ratio and functional gait in the less sensitive group.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Pauline Eon, Sidney Grospretre, Alain Martin
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect on motor performance and spinal excitability following motor imagery (MI), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and the combination of MI and NMES. The results showed that the combination of MI and NMES delayed the onset of neuromuscular fatigue and was associated with specific modulation of spinal excitability. These findings suggest that MI can compensate for the acute neuromuscular fatigue induced by NMES for up to 10 minutes after the combination therapy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Michael T. Paris, Sohum V. Kulkarni, Charles L. Rice
Summary: This study compared voluntary and electrically evoked contractions in terms of peak power and rate of velocity development, and found that voluntary contractions exhibited greater reduction at task termination, while electrically evoked contractions recovered to baseline faster. The study also revealed that the impact of dynamic torque and velocity on peak power varied with different loads.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yao-Wen Zhang, Zu-Lin Dou, Fei Zhao, Chun-Qing Xie, Jing Shi, Chen Yang, Gui-Fang Wan, Hong-Mei Wen, Pei-Rong Chen, Zhi-Ming Tang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on swallowing initiation in post-stroke patients. The results showed that the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile-6 (MBSImp-6) and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores were significantly lower in the real NMES condition. Oral transit time (OTT) was also significantly shorter during real NMES. This suggests that NMES may be a supplementary approach for promoting early feeding training in post-stroke patients with dysphagia.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Nathan L. Lehr, William H. Clark, Michael D. Lewek, Jason R. Franz
Summary: The study aimed to investigate individual muscle activation and subtendon tissue displacements within the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit. Results showed that different patterns of triceps surae muscle activation resulted in anatomically consistent yet highly angle-dependent localized tissue displacements in the Achilles tendon. This in vivo evidence suggests some mechanical independence in actuation between the human triceps surae muscle-subtendon units.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Sport Sciences
Riccardo Borzuola, Luca Laudani, Luciana Labanca, Andrea Macaluso
Summary: This review evaluates the impact of neuromuscular electrical stimulation superimposed onto voluntary contractions on muscle strength and mass. The findings suggest that chronic exposure to NMES+ can significantly improve muscle strength compared to traditional training or passive NMES training, and in some cases also increase muscle mass. However, discrepancies in stimulation methods and exercise types were found to affect the results.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SPORT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Bing Chen, Monica A. Perez
Summary: This study investigates the regulation of Ia afferent input during voluntary contraction in individuals with spinal cord injury. The results show that in SCI patients, the inhibitory D1 and facilitatory FN effects were reduced compared to control group, indicating the impact of SCI on sensory pathways.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felipe Fava de Lima, Cristiano Rocha Silva, Andre Fabio Kohn
Summary: Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is a non-invasive technique that can modulate neural circuits in the central nervous system. However, it does not have a significant effect on postural sway during quiet standing in young healthy individuals.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sattam M. Almutairi, Mohamed E. Khalil, Nadiah Almutairi, Aqeel M. Alenazi
Summary: This study aims to explore the effect of using NMES in people with chronic stroke in Saudi Arabia to improve spasticity and functions. Through a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 44 participants will be enrolled and randomized into experimental and control groups for a 4-week intervention, three times a week, to investigate the impact on various outcomes including plantarflexor spasticity, dorsiflexor muscle strength, gait speed, mobility functions, and self-reported health measures.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dorian Glories, Mathias Soulhol, David Amarantini, Julien Duclay
Summary: The study compared modulations of corticomuscular coherence (CMC) and changes in spinal excitability during different muscle contraction types, finding that CMC was significantly lower during lengthening contractions, indicating a potential involvement of spinal regulatory mechanisms in beta-band CMC modulation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Ainhoa Insausti-Delgado, Eduardo Lopez-Larraz, Jason Omedes, Ander Ramos-Murguialday
Summary: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can modulate brain activity and have a significant impact on sensorimotor activity. Different intensities of NMES lead to changes in brain activity modulation, while dose also influences the modulation of sensorimotor activity.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Tobias Siebert, Lars Donath, Mischa Borsdorf, Norman Stutzig
Summary: This study investigated the effects of static stretching, dynamic stretching, and myofascial foam rolling on hip flexion range of motion. The results showed significant increases in range of motion after static stretching and dynamic stretching, but not after foam rolling. Therefore, the increased range of motion observed with foam rolling may be due to a change in pain threshold.
JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Physiology
David S. Ryan, Norman Stutzig, Andreas Helmer, Tobias Siebert, James M. Wakeling
Summary: Research has shown that compression of muscle can lead to changes in muscle force, with the specific effects depending on muscle length and the direction of transverse loading. Using a shorter resting length for the medial gastrocnemius and implementing multidirectional loading, the current study found that muscle loading does not always result in force reduction and may be influenced by factors such as muscle architecture and length.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Robin Trostorf, Enrique Morales-Orcajo, Tobias Siebert, Markus Boel
Summary: This study investigated the mechanical properties and microstructure of different layers of the bladder wall, revealing varying mechanical responses between the mucosal and muscular layers during loading. The muscular layer showed a higher degree of anisotropy compared to the mucosal layer, and the mucosal layer exhibited a stiffer mechanical response under larger stretches.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Mischa Borsdorf, Markus Boel, Tobias Siebert
Summary: Smooth muscle layer separation did not affect the determination of smooth muscle properties, but separated layer strips exhibited a higher maximal shortening velocity and a lower curvature factor than whole-muscle strips.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Nico Nitzsche, Tobias Siebert, Henry Schulz, Norman Stutzig
Summary: This study investigated the effect of additional plyometric training on the reactive jumping performance and lower leg muscle strength in rhythmic gymnasts. The results showed that the additional training significantly improved the jump height, reactive strength index, and performance in sport-specific tests.
ISOKINETICS AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Sven Weidner, Andre Tomalka, Christian Rode, Tobias Siebert
Summary: Eccentric muscle contractions play a vital role in our daily life, and the effect of stretch velocity on muscle force redevelopment has been investigated. The results suggest that the stretch velocity influences the occurrence of Give and force redevelopment. These findings have important implications for improving muscle models and predictions in multibody simulations.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Fabian Kempter, Lorena Lantella, Norman Stutzig, Joerg Fehr, Tobias Siebert
Summary: Rotated head postures during low or moderate crash events can affect the static and dynamic behavior of muscle activity, potentially altering neck injury mechanisms.
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Robin Trostorf, Enrique Morales Orcajo, Amelie Poetzke, Tobias Siebert, Markus Boel
Summary: This study investigated the three-dimensional deformations of the porcine urinary bladder and revealed the morphological changes, pressure, and stress characteristics of the bladder during passive and active phases. The findings are important for understanding the load transfer mechanisms within the urinary bladder and validating corresponding models.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Fabian Walter, Robert Seydewitz, Philipp Mitterbach, Tobias Siebert, Markus Boel
Summary: A three-dimensional model was developed to describe the passive mechanical behavior of anisotropic skeletal muscle tissue, and its validity was validated through experimental tests. The results showed that the mechanical behavior of the tissue varied depending on the fiber orientation and deformation mode, and the extensive dataset collected in this study can be used for different error measurements.
BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Lisa Klemm, Robert Seydewitz, Tobias Siebert, Markus Boel
Summary: The contraction activation of smooth muscle in the stomach wall (SW) is coordinated by slow electrical waves initiated and propagated by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). This model integrates a biophysically based model of ICC pacemaker activity and a mechanical feedback mechanism to simulate gastric slow waves induced by abnormal stretching of the antral SW. The model predicts stretch-induced gastric arrhythmias, such as the emergence of an ectopic pacemaker in the gastric antrum.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biophysics
Christian Rode, Andre Tomalka, Reinhard Blickhan, Tobias Siebert
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Stefan Papenkort, Mischa Borsdorf, Markus Boel, Tobias Siebert
Summary: This study presents a realistic 3D geometry model of the porcine stomach based on photogrammetric reconstruction, which can be used for future investigations on stomach functioning. The study also provides data on the thickness distribution of the stomach wall's mucosa and tunica muscularis, as well as an algorithm for computing longitudinal and circumferential directions at local points.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matthew Araz, Sven Weidner, Fabio Izzi, Alexander Badri-Sproewitz, Tobias Siebert, Daniel F. B. Haeufle
Summary: Neuromuscular control loops experience communication delays, but mammals can run robustly even in adverse conditions. Muscle preflexes, which act within milliseconds, may be crucial for this ability. Our study quantifies muscle work during the preflex phase and tests its force modulation, finding that muscles exhibit a stereotypical stiffness response and a velocity adaptation to the force related to the perturbation. These findings highlight the activity-dependent nature of muscle stiffness and damping characteristics, indicating that neural control can anticipate ground conditions and lead to neuromuscular adaptation.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tobias Walter, Norman Stutzig, Tobias Siebert
Summary: This study investigates the effect of an active exoskeleton on back muscle activity when lifting weights. It was found that the use of the active exoskeleton significantly reduces muscle activity and perceived exertion. Therefore, active exoskeletons provide noticeable support when lifting heavy weights, reducing muscle activity and pressure on the lumbar region.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andre Tomalka, Maximilian Heim, Annika Klotz, Christian Rode, Tobias Siebert
Summary: This study investigates the functioning of mammalian skeletal muscle at short lengths and finds that sarcomeres can maintain regular thick filament arrangement and generate force even at extremely short lengths. Furthermore, the sarcomeres exhibit a bimodal length distribution and fibers remain shortened after deactivation, showing increased forces during passive re-elongation. These findings contradict the assumption of thick filament compression and support the model of thick filament sliding.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
