Strength stimuli on the quadriceps femoris influences the physiological tremor of the index finger

TL;DR

This study shows that fatiguing stimuli on the quadriceps femoris can increase the amplitude and frequency of physiological tremor in the index finger, especially at higher movement speeds, indicating a supraspinal influence.

Contribution

It demonstrates a link between lower limb muscle fatigue and upper limb tremor modulation, highlighting the role of supraspinal mechanisms in tremor control.

Findings

Tremor amplitude increased by 12.23% at 1.05 rad/s (p<0.05).

Electromyography activity increased by 20.19% at 1.05 rad/s (p<0.05).

Peak acceleration in frequency domain increased by 26.30% (p<0.05).

Abstract

The influence of fatiguing stimuli applied to the quadriceps femoris on the tremor of the index finger on sixteen healthy subjects has been investigated, by measuring the acceleration and the electromyography activity of the extensor digitorum at two different speeds. No significant changes in the basal condition could be measured at 0.52 rad/s. However, at 1.05 rad/s the tremor amplitude (12.23%, p<0.05) and the electromyography activity (20.19%, p<0.05) increased in the time domain. In the frequential domain, the peak associated to the acceleration increased in 26.30% (p<0.05), while the electromiography activity experienced an increase of 81.34% (p<0.05). The largest change in frequency took place in the range 7-17 Hz. The discussion of the results leads to the conclusion that the supraespinal mechanism is responsible for the measured effect.