Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities
Abstract The forearm muscles coordinately control wrist motion, and their activity is affected by forearm rotation. Although forearm rotation has been implicated in the development of lateral and medial epicondylitis, its biomechanical background remains unknown. Therefore, the present study investi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05363-x |
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| author | Kazuhiro Ikeda Koji Kaneoka Naoto Matsunaga Akira Ikumi Masashi Yamazaki Yuichi Yoshii |
| author_facet | Kazuhiro Ikeda Koji Kaneoka Naoto Matsunaga Akira Ikumi Masashi Yamazaki Yuichi Yoshii |
| author_sort | Kazuhiro Ikeda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The forearm muscles coordinately control wrist motion, and their activity is affected by forearm rotation. Although forearm rotation has been implicated in the development of lateral and medial epicondylitis, its biomechanical background remains unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated the activity of wrist muscles in various forearm positions. Surface electromyography of the extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris was performed on 40 healthy upper limbs. We initially measured muscle strength and electromyographic activity (integrated electromyographic value per second) at maximum voluntary output towards wrist extension and flexion in a neutral position. We then assessed electromyographic activity under constant wrist torque (75% of maximum strength in the neutral position) in pronation, the neutral position, and supination. The percentage of maximum electromyographic activity was evaluated for each position. In wrist extension, the extensor carpi radialis brevis was activated during forearm pronation, while extensor carpi ulnaris activity did not change in any forearm position. In wrist flexion, the flexor carpi radialis was activated during forearm supination, while flexor carpi ulnaris activity was significantly lower with forearm pronation than in the neutral position. Since muscle activation increases traction force at the tendon origin, forearm positions that increase muscle activity may be a biomechanical risk factor for the development of tendinopathy. The present results are consistent with epidemiological and pathological findings on lateral and medial epicondylitis. These results provide insights into wrist biomechanics and the pathophysiology of lateral and medial epicondylitis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fa2e275810df409cad6a3837030be184 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1749-799X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-fa2e275810df409cad6a3837030be1842025-01-19T12:32:51ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-01-012011910.1186/s13018-024-05363-xEffects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activitiesKazuhiro Ikeda0Koji Kaneoka1Naoto Matsunaga2Akira Ikumi3Masashi Yamazaki4Yuichi Yoshii5Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kikkoman General HospitalFaculty of Sport Science, Waseda UniversityGeneral Education Core Curriculum Division, Seigakuin UniversityDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Medicine, University of TsukubaDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Medicine, University of TsukubaDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical CenterAbstract The forearm muscles coordinately control wrist motion, and their activity is affected by forearm rotation. Although forearm rotation has been implicated in the development of lateral and medial epicondylitis, its biomechanical background remains unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated the activity of wrist muscles in various forearm positions. Surface electromyography of the extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris was performed on 40 healthy upper limbs. We initially measured muscle strength and electromyographic activity (integrated electromyographic value per second) at maximum voluntary output towards wrist extension and flexion in a neutral position. We then assessed electromyographic activity under constant wrist torque (75% of maximum strength in the neutral position) in pronation, the neutral position, and supination. The percentage of maximum electromyographic activity was evaluated for each position. In wrist extension, the extensor carpi radialis brevis was activated during forearm pronation, while extensor carpi ulnaris activity did not change in any forearm position. In wrist flexion, the flexor carpi radialis was activated during forearm supination, while flexor carpi ulnaris activity was significantly lower with forearm pronation than in the neutral position. Since muscle activation increases traction force at the tendon origin, forearm positions that increase muscle activity may be a biomechanical risk factor for the development of tendinopathy. The present results are consistent with epidemiological and pathological findings on lateral and medial epicondylitis. These results provide insights into wrist biomechanics and the pathophysiology of lateral and medial epicondylitis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05363-xWrist biomechanicsForearm rotationLateral epicondylitisMedial epicondylitisElectromyography |
| spellingShingle | Kazuhiro Ikeda Koji Kaneoka Naoto Matsunaga Akira Ikumi Masashi Yamazaki Yuichi Yoshii Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research Wrist biomechanics Forearm rotation Lateral epicondylitis Medial epicondylitis Electromyography |
| title | Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities |
| title_full | Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities |
| title_fullStr | Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities |
| title_short | Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities |
| title_sort | effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities |
| topic | Wrist biomechanics Forearm rotation Lateral epicondylitis Medial epicondylitis Electromyography |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05363-x |
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