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© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

Health promotion is important in older adults. However, aging-induced frailty results in poor muscle activity in the upper limbs, leading to activity impairments. Fortunately, recent studies report that vibration is a safe approach for improving muscular function; however, different frequencies and directions of vibrations can result in inconsistencies in muscle function improvement, and further investigation is needed. We developed a handheld vibrator to determine the effect of vibration frequency and direction on upper-limb muscle activation. Nineteen qualified participants were exposed to vertical and horizontal vibrations with 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 Hz frequencies for 60 s each. Surface electromyography measured the activities of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), biceps, triceps, and deltoid anterior muscles. Muscle activity was significantly induced under vibration conditions in both vertical and horizontal directions. The 45-Hz horizontal vibration induced maximum muscle activations for the FDS, ECR, ECU, biceps, and triceps. The 60-Hz vertical and 30-Hz horizontal vibrations facilitated maximum muscle activations for the FCR and deltoid anterior, respectively. We therefore suggest different protocols of vibration for specific weak muscles to improve muscle function in the upper limbs of older adults.

Abstract

We aimed to determine the effect of vibration frequency and direction on upper-limb muscle activation using a handheld vibrator. We recruited 19 healthy participants who were instructed to hold a handheld vibrator in their dominant hand and maintain the elbow at 90° flexion, while vertical and horizontal vibrations were applied with frequencies of 15, 30, 45, and 60 Hz for 60 s each. Surface electromyography (EMG) measured the activities of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), biceps, triceps, and deltoid anterior muscles. EMG changes were evaluated as the difference in muscle activity between vibration and no-vibration (0 Hz) conditions. Muscle activity was induced under vibration conditions in both vertical and horizontal (p < 0.05) directions. At 45 Hz, FDS and FCR activities increased during horizontal vibrations, compared with those during vertical vibrations. ECU activity significantly increased under 15-Hz vertical vibrations compared with that during horizontal vibrations. Vibrations from the handheld vibrator significantly induced upper-limb muscle activity. The maximum muscle activations for FDS, ECR, ECU, biceps, and triceps were induced by 45-Hz horizontal vibration. The 60-Hz vertical and 30-Hz horizontal vibrations facilitated maximum muscle activations for the FCR and deltoid anterior, respectively.

Details

Title
Analysis of Vibration Frequency and Direction for Facilitating Upper-Limb Muscle Activity
Author
Cheng-Hua, Ni 1 ; Lu, Yueh-Hsun 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Li-Wei, Chou 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Kuo, Shu-Fen 4 ; Lin, Chia-Huei 5   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Shang-Lin, Chiang 6 ; Liang-Hsuan Lu 3 ; Xin-Miao, Wang 7 ; Jia-Lan, Chang 8 ; Chueh-Ho, Lin 9   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Department of Nursing, Center for Nursing and Healthcare Research in Clinical Practice Application, Wan Fang Hospital, School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, R.O.C 
 Department of Radiology, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 235041, Taiwan, R.O.C; Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, R.O.C 
 Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan, R.O.C 
 School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, R.O.C 
 Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114202, Taiwan, R.O.C 
 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114202, Taiwan, R.O.C 
 Faculty of Humanities, Zhejiang Dong Fang Polytechnic College, Wenzhou 325011, China 
 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 235041, Taiwan, R.O.C 
 Master Program in Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, R.O.C; International Ph.D. Program in Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, R.O.C; Center for Nursing and Healthcare Research in Clinical Practice Application, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116079, Taiwan, R.O.C 
First page
48
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20797737
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2767186983
Copyright
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.