Gender-related differences in ankle-muscles recruitment during walking. (6th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nardo, Francesco Di; Mengarelli, Alessandro; Maranesi, Elvira; Burattini, Laura; Fioretti, Sandro
• Is Part Of: International journal of biomechatronics and biomedical robotics. Volume 3:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2020-07-06
• Subjects: surface EMG -- statistical gait analysis -- gender -- ankle motion -- shank muscles -- tibialis anterior -- gastrocnemius lateralis -- walking -- gait cycle -- modalities of muscle activation -- myoelectric activity; Medical electronics -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; 610.2805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-6792

Abstract

Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal is commonly used as main input information to control robotic prosthetic systems. sEMG signals vary from person to person; gender is a factor influencing this variation. Thus, the aim of the study is to detect gender-related differences in sEMG activity of two main ankle-flexor muscles [tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL)] during walking at comfortable speed and cadence. Statistical analysis of sEMG signals, performed in seven male (M-group) and seven female (F-group) adults, showed clear gender-related differences in muscle behaviour. The assessment of the different activation modalities, indeed, allowed to detect that F-group adopts a walking modality with a higher number of activations during gait cycle, compared to M-group. This suggests a female propensity for a more complex muscle recruitment, during walking. This novel information suggests considering a separate approach for males and females, in providing electromyographic signals as input information to control robotic systems.