The object of this work is the investigation of elementary data as basis for the technical development of an method to control target movements via repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (RPMS). For this purpose, the quantitative mechanical components of the muscle-tone stiffness, viscosity and inertia and the EMG-activity should be analyzed during RPMS. In the first part of the investigation standard values for the mechanical properties of the ellbow joint were generated with healthy Subjects (n=12). With the aid of a torque motor, investigations during voluntary isometric flexion work were executed. A linear dependency of the parameters stiffness and viscosity on the level of the isometric force was confirmed. In the second part of the test series the flexion of the ellbow was induced by RPMS. The attained data was compared with the standard values during voluntary movement. Significant differences in the components of the muscle tone depending on the type of muscle activation showed up. Among other things, because of the fixed innervation pattern of 20Hz, the muscle tone during RPMS induced movement represented far lower than during voluntary movement. Beside this, the co-contraction of the M. triceps brachii, which is involved in the muscle-tone around the ellbow-joint decreased during RPMS. During the third part, the influence of exhausting muscle exercise (fatigue) on the investigated parameters was analyzed. In addition, the EMG-activities during the different test conditions were documented. The muscle-tone decreased significantly post-fatigue during RPMS. This phenomena could not be experienced during voluntary movements. According to this, the CNS posseses compensation mechanisms, which hold up the level of muscle tone during mucular fatigue. On the one hand, the increased EMG-activity post-fatigue during voluntary movements shows an increased recruiting of motor units (above all S-fibers). On the other hand, the increased reflex-activity shows an increased sensitivity of the muscle-spindles. During RPMS, the EMG-activities showed up significantly lower. The stimulation intensity had to be increased significantly after muscle fatigue, to hold up the induced torque. Despite of the significantly decreasing muscle-tone, the EMG-activity increased.
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The object of this work is the investigation of elementary data as basis for the technical development of an method to control target movements via repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (RPMS). For this purpose, the quantitative mechanical components of the muscle-tone stiffness, viscosity and inertia and the EMG-activity should be analyzed during RPMS. In the first part of the investigation standard values for the mechanical properties of the ellbow joint were generated with healthy Su...
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