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. 2019 Jul 10:6:211.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00211. eCollection 2019.

Surface Electromyography of the Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris, and Gluteus Medius in Dogs During Stance, Walking, Trotting, and Selected Therapeutic Exercises

Hannah McLean  1 , Darryl Millis  1 , David Levine  2
Affiliations

Surface Electromyography of the Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris, and Gluteus Medius in Dogs During Stance, Walking, Trotting, and Selected Therapeutic Exercises

Hannah McLean et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study reported here was to evaluate the muscle activity patterns of the vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gluteus medius (GM) during stance, walking, trotting, and selected therapeutic exercises in clinically sound, healthy dogs. Our hypothesis was that the muscle activity during all exercises would differ from muscle activity at the stance. Methods: Surface electromyography of the selected muscles was performed during stance, walking, trotting, elevation of forelimbs on a platform, elevation of forelimbs on a platform with hindlimbs on an inflatable balance device, stepping up onto and over an obstacle, standing on a wobble board, dancing backwards, and wearing a leg weight at the walk and the trot. The maximal and mean muscle amplitude (μV) reflecting activity during several motion cycles were compared among the exercises. Results: Mean EMG amplitude of the BF was significantly higher in all exercises (p < 0.05) in comparison to stance. Mean EMG amplitude of the VL was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during walking, trotting, dancing backwards, stepping up and over an obstacle, and at a trot with a leg weight as compared to stance. Mean EMG amplitude of the GM was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during trotting, at a walk and a trot with a leg weight, standing on a wobble board, stepping up and over an obstacle, and dancing backwards when compared to stance. Of the studied exercises, dancing backwards increased the mean EMG amplitude of the BF and GM to the largest degree. Stepping up and over an obstacle increased the mean EMG amplitude of the VL to the largest degree. Conclusion: Compared to stance, the majority of therapeutic exercises examined increased muscle activity to varying degrees in the BF, VL, and GM. Our results may help clinicians to choose specific exercises to target specific muscles during conditioning, strengthening and rehabilitation.

Keywords: canine; exercise; physical therapy; rehabilitation; surface electromyography.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Placement of the surface electrodes over the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius. For the vastus lateralis, the solid line represents the distance between the iliac crest and the proximal aspect of the patella; the dashed line represents the distance between the greater trochanter and the proximal aspect of the patella; the dotted line represents the junction between the middle of the dashed and solid lines.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Elevation of the forelimbs onto a 30 cm tall platform.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Elevation of the forelimbs onto the same 30 cm platform with the hindlimbs on a 15 cm tall inflatable balance device.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Standing on a round 91 cm balance board.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Up and over.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Backwards dancing.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Analysis of the effects of exercise on mean sEMG amplitude of the biceps femoris (BF), gluteus medius (GM), and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles. *Significant difference from stance (p < 0.05).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Analysis of effects of exercise and muscle on maximum amplitude of the biceps femoris (BF), gluteus medius (GM), and vastus lateralis (VL). *Significant difference from stance (p < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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