Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 70, Issue 6 2522-2529, Copyright © 1991 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

EMG patterns of rat ankle extensors and flexors during treadmill locomotion and swimming

R. R. Roy, D. L. Hutchison, D. J. Pierotti, J. A. Hodgson and V. R. Edgerton
Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.

Intramuscular electromyography (EMG) was used to determine and compare the recruitment patterns of the rat soleus (Sol), tibialis anterior (TA), and a deep and a superficial portion of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) during treadmill locomotion at various speeds and inclines and during swimming. Raw EMG signals for 10-20 step or stroke cycles were rectified, averaged, and processed to determine cycle period (EMG onset of one cycle to EMG onset of the next cycle), EMG burst duration, and integrated area of the rectified burst (IEMG). Mean EMG per burst was calculated as IEMG/burst duration. IEMG/min was calculated as IEMG times the number of bursts (cycles) per minute. Cycle period and burst duration of the extensors decreased hyperbolically, while the TA burst duration was unchanged, with increased treadmill speed. With increased treadmill speed, IEMG was decreased in the Sol and unchanged in the MG and TA, whereas IEMG/min decreased in the Sol and increased in the MG and TA. An elevation in treadmill incline resulted in an increase in the activation levels of the MG but not in the Sol or TA. These data indicate that the additional power required at increased speeds and/or inclines of treadmill locomotion is derived from the recruitment of the fast extensors, e.g., the MG. The mean cycle period during swimming was similar to that observed during the fastest treadmill locomotion. EMG burst durations and amplitudes, however, were higher in the TA, relatively similar in the MG, and lower in the Sol during swimming than treadmill locomotion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. M. Baumbauer, J. R. Huie, A. J. Hughes, and J. W. Grau Timing in the Absence of Supraspinal Input II: Regularly Spaced Stimulation Induces a Lasting Alteration in Spinal Function That Depends on the NMDA Receptor, BDNF Release, and Protein Synthesis J. Neurosci., November 18, 2009; 29(46): 14383 - 14393. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. K. Magnuson, R. R. Smith, E. H. Brown, G. Enzmann, C. Angeli, P. M. Quesada, and D. Burke Swimming as a Model of Task-Specific Locomotor Retraining After Spinal Cord Injury in the Rat Neurorehabil Neural Repair, July 1, 2009; 23(6): 535 - 545. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Y. Gerasimenko, P. Musienko, I. Bogacheva, T. Moshonkina, A. Savochin, I. Lavrov, R. R. Roy, and V. R. Edgerton Propriospinal Bypass of the Serotonergic System That Can Facilitate Stepping J. Neurosci., April 29, 2009; 29(17): 5681 - 5689. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. R. Gomes, E. L. Rezende, J. L. Malisch, S. K. Lee, D. A. Rivas, S. A. Kelly, C. Lytle, B. B. Yaspelkis III, and T. Garland Jr Glycogen storage and muscle glucose transporters (GLUT-4) of mice selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running J. Exp. Biol., January 15, 2009; 212(2): 238 - 248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. T. Murphy, O. B. Nielsen, and T. Clausen Analysis of exercise-induced Na+-K+ exchange in rat skeletal muscle in vivo Exp Physiol, December 1, 2008; 93(12): 1249 - 1262. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Lavrov, G. Courtine, C. J. Dy, R. van den Brand, A. J. Fong, Y. Gerasimenko, H. Zhong, R. R. Roy, and V. R. Edgerton Facilitation of Stepping with Epidural Stimulation in Spinal Rats: Role of Sensory Input J. Neurosci., July 30, 2008; 28(31): 7774 - 7780. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Hegedus, C. T. Putman, N. Tyreman, and T. Gordon Preferential motor unit loss in the SOD1G93A transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis J. Physiol., July 15, 2008; 586(14): 3337 - 3351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Lavrov, C. J. Dy, A. J. Fong, Y. Gerasimenko, G. Courtine, H. Zhong, R. R. Roy, and V. R. Edgerton Epidural Stimulation Induced Modulation of Spinal Locomotor Networks in Adult Spinal Rats J. Neurosci., June 4, 2008; 28(23): 6022 - 6029. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. P. Gerasimenko, R. M. Ichiyama, I. A. Lavrov, G. Courtine, L. Cai, H. Zhong, R. R. Roy, and V. R. Edgerton Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation Plus Quipazine Administration Enable Stepping in Complete Spinal Adult Rats J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2007; 98(5): 2525 - 2536. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Kim, R. R. Roy, H. Zhong, H. Suzuki, L. Ambartsumyan, F. Haddad, K. M. Baldwin, and V. R. Edgerton Electromechanical stimulation ameliorates inactivity-induced adaptations in the medial gastrocnemius of adult rats J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2007; 103(1): 195 - 205. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Matsakas, C. Bozzo, N. Cacciani, F. Caliaro, C. Reggiani, F. Mascarello, and M. Patruno Effect of swimming on myostatin expression in white and red gastrocnemius muscle and in cardiac muscle of rats Exp Physiol, November 1, 2006; 91(6): 983 - 994. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Lavrov, Y. P. Gerasimenko, R. M. Ichiyama, G. Courtine, H. Zhong, R. R. Roy, and V. R. Edgerton Plasticity of Spinal Cord Reflexes After a Complete Transection in Adult Rats: Relationship to Stepping Ability J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2006; 96(4): 1699 - 1710. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Hodgson, R. R. Roy, N. Higuchi, R. J. Monti, H. Zhong, E. Grossman, and V. R. Edgerton Does daily activity level determine muscle phenotype? J. Exp. Biol., October 1, 2005; 208(19): 3761 - 3770. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Courtine, R. R. Roy, J. Hodgson, H. McKay, J. Raven, H. Zhong, H. Yang, M. H. Tuszynski, and V. R. Edgerton Kinematic and EMG Determinants in Quadrupedal Locomotion of a Non-Human Primate (Rhesus) J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2005; 93(6): 3127 - 3145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Wickler, D. F. Hoyt, A. A. Biewener, E. A. Cogger, and K. L. De La Paz In vivo muscle function vs speed II. Muscle function trotting up an incline J. Exp. Biol., March 15, 2005; 208(6): 1191 - 1200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Wang, Y. Li, K. L. Engisch, S. T. Nakanishi, S. E. Dodson, G. W. Miller, T. C. Cope, M. J. Pinter, and M. M. Rich Activity-Dependent Presynaptic Regulation of Quantal Size at the Mammalian Neuromuscular Junction In Vivo J. Neurosci., January 12, 2005; 25(2): 343 - 351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Gomez-Pinilla, Z. Ying, R. R. Roy, J. Hodgson, and V. R. Edgerton Afferent Input Modulates Neurotrophins and Synaptic Plasticity in the Spinal Cord J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2004; 92(6): 3423 - 3432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Wang, K. L. Engisch, Y. Li, M. J. Pinter, T. C. Cope, and M. M. Rich Decreased Synaptic Activity Shifts the Calcium Dependence of Release at the Mammalian Neuromuscular Junction In Vivo J. Neurosci., November 24, 2004; 24(47): 10687 - 10692. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Beres-Jones and S. J. Harkema The human spinal cord interprets velocity-dependent afferent input during stepping Brain, October 1, 2004; 127(10): 2232 - 2246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. T. Hepple, K. D. Ross, and A. B. Rempfer Fiber Atrophy and Hypertrophy in Skeletal Muscles of Late Middle-Aged Fischer 344 x Brown Norway F1-Hybrid Rats J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., February 1, 2004; 59(2): B108 - 117. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Terada and I. Tabata Effects of acute bouts of running and swimming exercise on PGC-1{alpha} protein expression in rat epitrochlearis and soleus muscle Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 2004; 286(2): E208 - E216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. E. Higham and B. C. Jayne In vivo muscle activity in the hindlimb of the arboreal lizard, Chamaeleo calyptratus: general patterns and the effects of incline J. Exp. Biol., January 15, 2004; 207(2): 249 - 261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. K. Timoszyk, R. D. de Leon, N. London, R. R. Roy, V. R. Edgerton, and D. J. Reinkensmeyer The Rat Lumbosacral Spinal Cord Adapts to Robotic Loading Applied During Stance J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2002; 88(6): 3108 - 3117. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Gomez-Pinilla, Z. Ying, R. R. Roy, R. Molteni, and V. R. Edgerton Voluntary Exercise Induces a BDNF-Mediated Mechanism That Promotes Neuroplasticity J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2002; 88(5): 2187 - 2195. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. B. Gillis and A. A. Biewener Effects of surface grade on proximal hindlimb muscle strain and activation during rat locomotion J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2002; 93(5): 1731 - 1743. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. Milne and E. G. Noble Exercise-induced elevation of HSP70 is intensity dependent J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2002; 93(2): 561 - 568. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Burelle and P. W. Hochachka Endurance training induces muscle-specific changes in mitochondrial function in skinned muscle fibers J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2002; 92(6): 2429 - 2438. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. Burkholder Age does not influence muscle fiber length adaptation to increased excursion J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2001; 91(6): 2466 - 2470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Nader and K. A. Esser Intracellular signaling specificity in skeletal muscle in response to different modes of exercise J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2001; 90(5): 1936 - 1942. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Desaulniers, P.-A. Lavoie, and P. F. Gardiner Habitual exercise enhances neuromuscular transmission efficacy of rat soleus muscle in situ J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2001; 90(3): 1041 - 1048. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Kim, T. Schallert, Yi Liu, T. Browarak, N. Nayeri, A. Tessler, I. Fischer, and M. Murray Transplantation of Genetically Modified Fibroblasts Expressing BDNF in Adult Rats with a Subtotal Hemisection Improves Specific Motor and Sensory Functions Neurorehabil Neural Repair, March 1, 2001; 15(2): 141 - 150. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. B. Gillis and A. A. Biewener Hindlimb muscle function in relation to speed and gait: in vivo patterns of strain and activation in a hip and knee extensor of the rat (Rattus norvegicus) J. Exp. Biol., January 8, 2001; 204(15): 2717 - 2731. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Bigbee, K. L. Gosselink, R. R. Roy, R. E. Grindeland, and V. R. Edgerton Bioassayable growth hormone release in rats in response to a single bout of treadmill exercise J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2000; 89(6): 2174 - 2178. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Gillis and A. Biewener Hindlimb extensor muscle function during jumping and swimming in the toad (Bufo marinus) J. Exp. Biol., January 12, 2000; 203(23): 3547 - 3563. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Cormery, F. Pons, J.-F. Marini, and P. F. Gardiner Myosin heavy chains in fibers of TTX-paralyzed rat soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2000; 88(1): 66 - 76. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Gosselink, R. E. Grindeland, R. R. Roy, H. Zhong, A. J. Bigbee, and V. R. Edgerton Afferent input from rat slow skeletal muscle inhibits bioassayable growth hormone release J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2000; 88(1): 142 - 148. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Recktenwald, J. A. Hodgson, R. R. Roy, S. Riazanski, G. E. McCall, I. Kozlovskaya, D. A. Washburn, J. W. Fanton, and V. R. Edgerton Effects of Spaceflight on Rhesus Quadrupedal Locomotion After Return to 1G J Neurophysiol, May 1, 1999; 81(5): 2451 - 2463. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. C B Elder and L. V Toner Muscle shortening induced by tenotomy does not reduce activity levels in rat soleus J. Physiol., October 1, 1998; 512(1): 251 - 265. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Gosselink, R. E. Grindeland, R. R. Roy, H. Zhong, A. J. Bigbee, E. J. Grossman, and V. R. Edgerton Skeletal muscle afferent regulation of bioassayable growth hormone in the rat pituitary J Appl Physiol, April 1, 1998; 84(4): 1425 - 1430. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]