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  • Title: Changes in upper limb joint torque patterns and EMG signals with fatigue following a stroke.
    Author: Riley NA, Bilodeau M.
    Journal: Disabil Rehabil; 2002 Dec 15; 24(18):961-9. PubMed ID: 12523950.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: Little is known concerning changes in neuromuscular fatigue following a stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a stroke on fatigue-related changes in upper limb torque patterns and electromyographic signals. METHOD: The paretic and non-paretic upper limb of 10 adults (51-79 years) who had a stroke (time since stroke: 3-75 months) were compared. Subjects had to perform a fatigue task consisting of a sustained maximal isometric contraction in elbow flexion until torque decreased to below 50% of initial. The main variables of interest assessed before, during and after fatigue were: (1) the torque in elbow flexion, as well as associated forces/torques at the shoulder and forearm; (2) the level of voluntary activation; (3) the amplitude (RMS); and (4) frequency content (median frequency) of electromyographic signals. RESULTS: Compared to the non-paretic side, the paretic side showed a lower level of voluntary activation and higher relative torque levels at the forearm and shoulder which could both be exaggerated with fatigue, and a lesser fatigue-related decrease in median frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, greater fatigue-related changes in features of the central command (ability to maximally activate a muscle and ability to isolate effort to a muscle group) were observed for the paretic compared with the non-paretic side. This could be a confounding factor when assessing changes in peripheral measures of fatigue following a stroke using voluntary contractions.
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