Age-related Changes of Shoulder Muscles (SEMG)

Age-related Changes in Activation Patterns of Shoulder Muscles

A cross-sectional descriptive study, in which the surface electromyographic activity of five shoulder muscles was compared in three populations: older adults, middle-aged adults and young adults. The evaluation of the electromyographic data offers a suitable foundation to understand aging process.

This supports that surface electromyography provide information about the aged shoulder muscles. Loss of functionality is suffered by a high percentage of older adults, which greatly limits their physical activity. In this sense, this paper presents findings that might be related with possible therapeutic approaches in subsequent studies.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Electromyography

Detailed Description

The purpose of the present work was to assess neuromotor abnormalities in aging shoulder. Twenty young adults (20-42), 20 middle-aged adults (43-67) and 20older adults (>68) were recruited. A comparative electromyography (EMG) study was performed on the upper and lower trapezius, middle deltoid, infraspinatus and serratus anterior. The EMG measurement (root mean square (RMS)) and onset time of isometric contractions were analyzed. Body mass index and strength were also tested.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 60

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 20 years to 90 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants came from Madrid and Castilla La Mancha (Spain) and voluntarily attended the Unit of the Research Group "Physical Therapy in Women´s Health Processes" in the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcalá, and the Ocaña Senior Center.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy subjects with no previously manifested symptoms in the shoulder joint and/or the neck during the past year,

Exclusion Criteria:

• moderate or severe cognitive impairment, rheumatologic diseases, massive osteoarthritis, tumors, shoulder joint instability, circulatory disorders (hemophilia clotting problems) and dermatological problems exacerbated by contact with skin

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Ecologic or Community
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Group I: Older adults; healthy subjects older than 68 years old whose shoulder muscle are measured by surface electromyography
Group II: Adults; healthy subjects 43 to 67 years old, whose shoulder muscle are measured by surface electromyography
Group III: Young adults; healthy subjects 20 to 42 years old, whose shoulder muscle are measured by surface electromyography

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The mean Root Mean Square (RMS) value	The electromyographic data were captured simultaneously on a PC by using the LabChart® software. Within the time interval from 2 to 4 seconds after contraction initiation a power spectrum analysis was performed together with the determination of RMS values. The mean RMS values were automatically obtained from the software	30 minutes
onset latency	Start of contraction on the basis of 15% of RMS	30 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
maximal isometric voluntary contraction	Using hand-held dynamometer	5 minutes
body mass index		5 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Alcala
• Investigators: Study Director: Maria Tommes Lacomba, PhD, University of Alcala

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Lirio Romero C, Torres Lacomba M, Castilla Montoro Y, Prieto Merino D, Pacheco da Costa S, Velasco Marchante MJ, Bodes Pardo G. Mobilization With Movement for Shoulder Dysfunction in Older Adults: A Pilot Trial. J Chiropr Med. 2015 Dec;14(4):249-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2015.03.001. Epub 2015 Nov 24.
• Phadke V, Camargo P, Ludewig P. Scapular and rotator cuff muscle activity during arm elevation: A review of normal function and alterations with shoulder impingement. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2009 Feb 1;13(1):1-9. doi: 10.1590/S1413-35552009005000012.
• Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2000 Oct;10(5):361-74. doi: 10.1016/s1050-6411(00)00027-4.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 20, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 22, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): November 28, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): November 28, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 22, 2016
• Last Verified: November 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: UAlcalaH

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No