Oxygenation and myoelectric activity

The relationship between oxygenation and myoelectric activity in the forearm and shoulder muscles of males and female

The mechanism behind the occurrence and maintenance of work-related muscle pain is not known. Also not known is why females are more affected than males. Research indicates that disturbed circulation might play a role.

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive technique that, by way of sending a beam of light into the muscle, is capable of providing information of blood flow, oxygenation and blood volume.

This study involves the following objectives: (1) investigates the relationship between NIRS parameters and the muscle electrical activity (EMG); (2) determines if there are gender differences in NIRS-derived parameters; (3) determines the day-to-day reliability of NIRS-derived parameters for the forearm and shoulder muscles.

We hope to gain insight of some important physiological parameters relevant for studying the mechanism behind work-related muscle pain. Further, we hope to obtain knowledge of the effectiveness of the NIRS method in this regard.

Responsible

Albert Crenshaw
 

Collaborators

Martin Fahlström, Rehabilitation Medicine, Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University
Mikael Forsman, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute
Bente Jensen, Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark