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Biomedical subjects

D Bräuer

Publications and source records attributed to D Bräuer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

The relationship between the electromyogram-amplitude and isometric extension torques of neck muscles at different positions of the cervical spine.

A group of 12 healthy men volunteered for the experiment. Electromyograms (EMG) were obtained from semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis, levator scapulae, and trapezius muscles. The flexion angle of the cervical spine was precisely adjusted to 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, and 30 degrees relative to the horizontal, with a constant angle of the atlanto-occipital joint. The subjects made eight short (about 2 s) vertical extension forces (6%, 12%, 18%, 24%, 30%, 36%, 42%, and 48% of maximal voluntary peak contraction force). For each position, the centre of pressure under the head was determined as the basis for the calculation of the external lever arm. The presence of motor endplate regions was ascertained by multiple surface electrodes. The slopes of individual linear regression lines for the root mean square (rms)-values were dependent on the existence of endplates in the area of the electrodes - endplates caused smaller rms values per Newton metres of external torque. Significant intersubject differences between regression equations could not be eliminated by the normalization of EMG-parameters and/or torques. The elimination of gravity, the continuous monitoring of positions, and the consideration of localization of motor endplate regions were essential prerequisites for the acquisition of reliable relationships between EMG of different neck muscles and external torques. Two important conclusions were derived for the prediction of torques from EMG measurements: firstly, individual regression equations which take into account the position of the head and neck should be used; secondly, normalization procedures do not justify the application of average regressions to a group of subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Local muscle work and noise and their effect on the amplitude of the finger pulse].

The finger pulse amplitude of 10 healthy men (aged 20 to 30 years) was measured during noise (70, 80 and 90 dBA) and combined exposure (local muscular work with 30% MVC and noise with 70, 80 or 90 dBA) and during a recovery phase of 60 min. The finger pulse amplitude was reduced only during noise exposure with 90 dBA and was increased during the combined exposures. A continuous decrease of the finger pulse amplitude was observed during the recovery phases. Differences between noise exposure and combined exposure do not exist. The findings were discussed as the risk of hypertension in workers exposed to noise.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Laboratory studies of vibration transmission in motor vehicle seats].

Operator seats (Models 050 and 500, Möve) were examined with vertical sinusoidal whole-body vibration (WBV) in the frequency range from 1 to 40 Hz (1.5 and 3.0 ms-2rms) and with simulated stochastic vibration of combines for the harvest of sugarcane. Six male subjects volunteered for the experiments. The WBV transmitted from the seat mounting base to the seat cushion and head were compared with data of a hard experimental seat. Interindividual differences cannot be explained by different body masses only. The iolation and main resonance of the two operator seats differed. Additional resonant peaks occurred above 6 Hz. They can cause unfavourable conditions at certain applications. The operator seats tested are probably suited for the reduction of WBV exposure on combines for the harvest of sugarcane.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Laboratory studies on the subjective evaluation of motor vehicle seats].

Operator seats (Models 050 and 500, Möve) were examined with vertical sinusoidal whole-body vibration (WBV) in the frequency range from 1 to 40 Hz (1.5 and 3.0 ms-2 rms) and with simulated stochastic vibration of combines for the harvest of sugarcane. Six male subjects volunteered for the experiments. The subjective assessments of operator seats by cross-modality matching, paired comparisons, and questionnaires were compared with data of a hard experimental seat. Transmitted WBV and subjective evaluation correlated partially only. Suggestions are derived for the improvement of the seats tested.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Examination of spinal column vibrations: a non-invasive approach.

Accelerations of vertebrae during whole-body vibration (WBV) are used in occupational biomechanics for the prediction of internal stress. To avoid invasive techniques, a method for the calculation of bone accelerations was developed using measurements on the skin. The soft tissue between spinous processes L3 and T5 and miniature accelerometers stuck to the skin over them was modelled by a simple Kelvin element, whose parameters i.e. angular natural frequency omega n and critical damping zeta, describe an approximate transfer function between the bone (input) and the skin surface (output). The parameters were determined from free damped oscillations of the accelerometer-skin complex in the Z-axis, and depended significantly on the factors "subject" and "point of measurement". In one subject, the time courses of bone accelerations during sinusoidal WBV (4.5 and 8 Hz; 1.5 m.s-2 RMS) were calculated using separate transfer functions for each of 11 different spinal levels. Since the output signals on the skin were non-sinusoidal, the skin accelerations had to be treated with an inverse transfer function in the frequency domain. A comparison of accelerations measured on the skin and predicted for the bone mainly indicates that absolute peak values of bone accelerations are smaller and occur earlier. Both kinds of acceleration hint at differences in WBV-induced internal stress within the spine.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1987

Electromyographic evaluation of back muscle fatigue with repeated sustained contractions of different strengths.

The aim of the study was to obtain information on changes in surface electromyograms from the lumbar erector spinae muscles during fatiguing isometric contractions. Four male subjects held different target extension forces to fatique in a prone position under carefully controlled biomechanical conditions. Standard deviations of the distribution of EMG amplitudes (RMS values), autoregressive (AR) time series models of the 15th order and spectral densities were computed. At lower force levels, i.e., at about 50 to 100 Nm or 20-40% of estimated maximum voluntary contraction force (MVC), RMS values significantly decreased over time; at the highest level examined (on average 162 Nm), they increased. Over all force levels, the explained variances of AR models increased and mean power frequencies (MPF) decreased with increasing force. The first and second AR coefficients also exhibited significant changes, depending on both contraction time and strength. The AR time series structure of EMGs during short isometric test contractions at the lowest force level within 30 s after the failure point clearly indicated muscle fatigue and some differences remained in their dependence on the preceding force. The results suggest a concept of 'selective fatigue', and provide a basis for refined electromyographic evaluation of back muscle fatigue. Such an evaluation has to consider the force history preceding the failure point, or serious errors become unavoidable. The increase in RMS values does not constitute a criterion of back muscle fatigue at low force levels. AR time series models are recommended for the description of fatigue-induced electromyographic changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Investigations of the time series structure of the EMG during sustained isometric contractions of back muscles.

The experiment aimed at elucidating electromyographic signs of fatigue of lumbar muscles. On two days, 4 subjects had to hold 4 different target forces to fatigue. Bipolar surface EMG's were derived at the L3 level. The time series structure of the EMG's was characterized by means of autoregressive models. The r.m.s.- value did not reveal uniform time-dependent changes, except for an increase during the highest force level. The variance explained by a linear stochastic process systematically increased during the sustained contractions. The mean power frequencies exhibited similar changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Analysis of relationships between physiologic time series in various force loads].

The described analysis of physiological time series gives an example of how the relations between such series can be computed. We had performed force-varied isometric hand-grip contractions. After testing the corresponding prerequisites we investigated the interrelations between the force-induced responses of heart rate, blood pressure, pulse-transit time and force.

Blood Pressure↗