This work introduces a real-time intention decoding algorithm grounded in muscle synergies (Syn-ID). The algorithm detects the electromyographic (EMG) onset and infers the direction of the movement during reaching tasks to control a powered shoulder–elbow exoskeleton. Features related to muscle synergies are used in a Gaussian Mixture Model and probability accumulation-based logic to infer the user’s movement direction. The performance of the algorithm was verified by a feasibility study including eight healthy participants. The experiments comprised a transparent session, during which the exoskeleton did not provide any assistance, and an assistive session in which the Syn-ID strategy was employed. Participants were asked to reach eight targets equally spaced on a circumference of 25 cm radius (adjusted chance level: 18.1%). The results showed an average accuracy of 48.7% after 0.6 s from the EMG onset. Most of the confusion of the estimate was found along directions adjacent to the actual one (type 1 error: 33.4%). Effects of the assistance were observed in a statistically significant reduction in the activation of Posterior Deltoid and Triceps Brachii. The final positions of the movements during the assistive session were on average 1.42 cm far from the expected ones, both when the directions were estimated correctly and when type 1 errors occurred. Therefore, combining accurate estimates with type 1 errors, we computed a modified accuracy of 82.10±6.34%. Results were benchmarked with respect to a purely kinematics-based approach. The Syn-ID showed better performance in the first portion of the movement (0.14 s after EMG onset).

We aim to understand the effects of hydration changes on athletes’ neuromuscular performance, on body water compartments, fat-free mass hydration and hydration biomarkers and to test the effects of the intervention on the response of acute dehydration in the hydration indexes. The H2OAthletes study (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT05380089) is a randomised controlled trial in thirty-eight national/international athletes of both sexes with low total water intake (WI) (i.e. < 35·0 ml/kg/d). In the intervention, participants will be randomly assigned to the control (CG, n 19) or experimental group (EG, n 19). During the 4-day intervention, WI will be maintained in the CG and increased in the EG (i.e. > 45·0 ml/kg/d). Exercise-induced dehydration protocols with thermal stress will be performed before and after the intervention. Neuromuscular performance (knee extension/flexion with electromyography and handgrip), hydration indexes (serum, urine and saliva osmolality), body water compartments and water flux (dilution techniques, body composition (four-compartment model) and biochemical parameters (vasopressin and Na) will be evaluated. This trial will provide novel evidence about the effects of hydration changes on neuromuscular function and hydration status in athletes with low WI, providing useful information for athletes and sports-related professionals aiming to improve athletic performance.

Clinical observations and subjective judgements have traditionally been used to evaluate patients with muscular and neurological disorders. As a result, identifying and analyzing functional improvements are difficult, especially in the absence of expertise. Quantitative assessment, which serves as the motivation for this study, is an essential prerequisite to forecast the task of the rehabilitation device in order to develop rehabilitation training. This work provides a quantitative assessment tool for muscle weakness in the human upper limbs for robotic-assisted rehabilitation. The goal is to map the assessment metrics to the recommended rehabilitation exercises. Measurable interaction forces and muscle correlation factors are the selected parameters to design a framework for muscular nerve cell condition detection and appropriate limb trajectory selection. In this work, a data collection setup is intended for extracting muscle intervention and assessment using MyoMeter, Goniometer and surface electromyography data for upper limbs. Force signals and human physiological response data are evaluated and categorized to infer the relevant progress. Based upon the most influencing muscles, curve fitting is performed. Trajectory-based data points are collected through a scaled geometric Open-Sim musculoskeletal model that fits the subject’s anthropometric data. These data are found to be most suitable to prescribe relevant exercise and to design customized robotic assistance. Case studies demonstrate the approach’s efficacy, including optimally synthesized automated configuration for the desired trajectory.

We have developed a one-of-a-kind hand exoskeleton, called Maestro, which can power finger movements of those surviving severe disabilities to complete daily tasks using compliant joints. In this paper, we present results from an electromyography (EMG) control strategy conducted with spinal cord injury (SCI) patients (C5, C6, and C7) in which the subjects completed daily tasks controlling Maestro with EMG signals from their forearm muscles. With its compliant actuation and its degrees of freedom that match the natural finger movements, Maestro is capable of helping the subjects grasp and manipulate a variety of daily objects (more than 15 from a standardized set). To generate control commands for Maestro, an artificial neural network algorithm was implemented along with a probabilistic control approach to classify and deliver four hand poses robustly with three EMG signals measured from the forearm and palm. Increase in the scores of a standardized test, called the Sollerman hand function test, and enhancement in different aspects of grasping such as strength shows feasibility that Maestro can be capable of improving the hand function of SCI subjects.

Objectives: 1) Assess which electrodiagnostic studies Canadian clinicians use to aid in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). 2) Assess whether Canadian clinicians follow the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine/American Academy of Neurology/American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Practice Parameter for Electrodiagnostic Studies in CTS. 3) Assess how Canadian clinicians manage CTS once a diagnosis has been established. Methods: In this prospective observational study, an electronic survey was sent to all members of the Canadian Neuromuscular Group (CNMG) and the Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (CAPM&R) Neuromuscular Special Interest Group. Questions addressed which electrodiagnostic tests were being routinely used for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Management recommendations for CTS was also explored. Results: Of the 70 individuals who completed the survey, fourteen different nerve conduction study techniques were reported. Overall, 36/70 (51%) of participants followed the AANEM/AAN/AAPM&R Practice Parameter. The standard followed by the fewest of our respondents with 64% compliance (45/70) was the use of a standard distance of 13 to 14 cm with respect to the median sensory nerve conduction study. Regarding management, 99% would recommend splinting in the case of mild CTS. In moderate CTS, splinting was recommended by 91% of clinicians and 68% would also consider referral for surgery. In severe CTS, most recommended surgery (93%). Conclusions: There is considerable variability in terms of which electrodiagnostic tests Canadian clinicians perform for CTS. Canadian clinicians are encouraged to adhere to the AANEM/AAN/AAPM&R Practice Parameter for Electrodiagnostic Studies in CTS.

The welfare consequences of long-distance transportation of animals remain a controversial topic. Animals that stand for most of the long journey (especially if additional muscular activity is required to deal with postural instability) are at risk of developing fatigue. Previous observational studies of behaviour and physiology suggested either that sheep do not become markedly fatigued by long journeys or that previous methods did not adequately identify fatigue. A range of behavioural and physiological measures were made on eight pairs of sheep during and after treadmill exercise. Within each pair of sheep, a treatment sheep was walked on a treadmill at 0.5 m/s for up to 5 h or until the sheep voluntarily stopped exercising or showed other signs of reduced performance, and a control sheep was exercised for two 10-min periods on either side of the exercise period for the treatment sheep. With the exception of one sheep that only walked for 4.5 h, all treatment sheep walked for 5 h without apparent difficulty. After exercise, the plasma cortisol concentration of treatment sheep was significantly greater than that of control sheep. However, there were no significant treatment effects on plasma creatine kinase activity or blood lactate concentration. After 5 h of exercise, there was a proportionate decrease in the median frequency of the electromyogram recorded over the m. semitendinosus, and this was significantly different from control sheep. There was no evidence that treatment sheep lay down sooner or for longer after treadmill exercise than controls. In sheep tested in a maze to examine whether there was increased motivation to rest after exercise, there was no significant difference between the times taken by treatment and control sheep to obtain a food reward. Qualitative behavioural assessment of the sheep by a panel of observers identified two main dimensions of sheep demeanour, but among descriptors elicited from observers only one person used a term associated with fatigue. No significant difference was found between the scores of treatment and control sheep on these two demeanour dimensions. Thus, there was little evidence that prolonged gentle walking exercise fatigues sheep. Further development of methods to both repeatedly induce and to identify fatigue in sheep is required.