PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J T Stern

Publications and source records attributed to J T Stern.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Functional differentiation within the tensor fasciae latae. A telemetered electromyographic analysis of its locomotor roles.

Electromyograms recorded by three or four fine-wire bipolar electrodes inserted along a transverse line across the right tensor fasciae latae of ten normal adults (five men and five women, twenty to thirty-six years old) during a standardized series of exercises and locomotor activities demonstrated different functional roles for the anteromedial and posterolateral fibers of the muscle. Although anatomical dissections in six normal cadavera demonstrated that the force of contraction of the tensor fasciae latae could be transmitted to the knee by the iliotibial tract, the observed activity of this muscle can be explained completely in terms of its action at the hip. The anteromedial fibers have a greater mechanical advantage for hip flexion than do the posterolateral fibers, whereas the posterolateral fibers possess a better mechanical advantage for hip abduction and internal rotation. During walking the anteromedial fibers were electromyographically silent, whereas the posterolateral fibers were active near heel-strike. For all subjects, increased locomotor velocity (during jogging, running, and sprinting) was associated both with increased activity of the anteromedial fibers near toe-off apparently to assist deceleration of extension and acceleration of flexion of the thigh, and with increased activity of the posterolateral fibers at heel-strike.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Telemetered electromyography of forelimb muscle chains in gibbons (Hylobates lar).

Electromyographic studies of brachiation in the gibbon controvert deductions, based on dissection, about the purported functions of muscle chains in the hylobatid forelimb. Neither force conduction distally along the components of the chains nor simultaneity of muscular contraction occurs in brachiation. Rather, the unique structure of the forelimb is probably the result of evolved changes in the short head of biceps brachii to enhance its role as a forearm flexor.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1980

EMG of the interosseous and lumbrical muscles in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) hand during locomotion.

The interosseous, lumbrical, and extensor digitorum communis muscles of the hunan hand constitute a complex apparatus that acts to move and stabilize the fingaers during grasping and manipulation. A telemetered electromyographic study of these muscles in chimpanzees was undertaken to determine whether use of the hand in locomotion and to maintain postures might be associated with functional roles different from those in humans. The manual interossei of chimpanzees are recruited in metacarpophalangeal flexion and in rapid interphalangeal joint extension. Slow digital extension can be accomplished solely by the extensor digitorum communis and lumbricals. The highly variable activity of the interossei during knuckle-walking is compatible with their roles as ab/adductors and rotators, but such movements could not be accurately assessed. It is concluded that the generalized suspensory and specialized terrestrial locomotion of the chimpanzee is not associated with major changes in the function of the manual interossei and lumbricals.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

An electromyographic study of the pectoralis major in atelines and Hylobates, with special reference to the evolution of a pars clavicularis.

Among primates there is striking variation in the extent of the origin of pectoralis major from the clavicle. A significant clavicular attachment (pars clavicularis) occurs only in Alouatta, Lagothrix, Hylobates, Pan (troglodytes, paniscus and gorilla), and Homo. Interpreting this trait in nonhuman primates as an adaptation to frequent use of a mobile forelimb in climbing and suspension is contraindicated by the absence of a clavicular origin in Ateles and Pongo. We have undertaken a telemetered electromyographic study to determine any special role of the most cranial part of the pectoralis major in comparison to its caudal part, and to the deltoid, during vertical climbing, pronograde quadrupedalism, and armswinging in Ateles, Lagothrix, Alouatta, and Hylobates. The results show that the cranial pectoralis major possesses a role not shared by the caudal fibers: initiation of the recovery phase of the locomotor cycle. When ability to execute rapid or powerful recovery of the adducted forelimb is required in an animal with a shoulder joint lying on a plane cranial to that of the manubrium, the movement will be facilitated if the origin of the pectoralis major is extended onto the clavicle. Such is the case in nonhuman primates possessing this trait. The absence of a clavicular origin in Ateles and Pongo may be related to diminished selective pressures to perfect locomotor modes such as pronograde quadrupedalism, armswinging, or climbing thick vertical trunks, that demand rapid or powerful recovery of the adducted forelimb. If the arboreal ancestor of humans had evolved a clavicular origin of pectoralis major, this animal would be preadapted for certain uses of the forelimb in its bipedal descendant.

Alouatta↗
PubMed1980

Gross structure and function of the quadriceps femoris in Lemur fulvus: an analysis based on telemetered electromyography.

Analysis based on telemetered electromyography from the quadriceps femoris of Lemur fulvus, a Malagasy prosimian, during walking, galloping, leaping, and a variety of postural behaviors partially confirms and partially contradicts earlier hypothesized functions of this musculoskeletal complex. As predicted on the basis of morphological criteria (large physiological cross-section and long parallel fibers), the vastus lateralis is of special functional significance in leaping. This relatively large muscle consistently initiates the leap and frequently undergoes a very long period of force enhancement via active stretch. By contrast, the vastus intermedius fails to exhibit increased electrical activity and undergoes little or no active stretch during jumps. The myological details of vastus intermedius (short fibers, no fusion with other components), therefore, cannot be accounted for as adaptations to leaping. Rather, a primary postural role is indicated for the vastus intermedius, because in normal resting postures, with the knee quite flexed, it alone is continuously active. The existence of a fibrocartilaginous superior patella in the tendon of vastus intermedius, however, is most plausibly related to the complex tensile and compressive stresses generated in the tendon during the completely hyperflexed phase of leaping. The phasic patterning of the quadriceps femoris of Lemur fulvus does not point to any special role of the vastus lateralis or vastus intermedius during walking and galloping; it does indicate very different patterns of muscle recruitment in comparison to those in nonprimate mammals and some anthropoid primates. The forward cross walk (diagonal sequence, diagonal couplets) of primates versus the backward cross gait (lateral sequence) of most other mammals probably accounts for some of these differences. Lemur fulvus lacks the degree of elastic storage and release of kinetic energy in the quadriceps femoris that characterizes the gallop of dogs, cats, and Erythrocebus patas.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Telemetered electromyography of flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis in Pan troglodytes and implications for interpretation of the O. H. 7 hand.

The importance of knuckle-walking in the locomotor repertoire of African apes raises the possibility that the long digital flexors may be specially adapted more to meet the demands of ground quadrupedalism than those of suspension. To investigate this possibiltiy, the activities of the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus were studied by means of telemetered electromyography in three chimpanzees. Results clearly indicate that the fasciculi of the muscles to digits bearing weight in knuckle-walking are not called upon to contract in quadrupedal postures or in slow and moderately fast quadrupedal locomotion except to help clear the fingers from the ground as the forelimb begins its recovery stroke. At the most rapid speeds, a slight to moderate level of activity sometimes occurs in the latter half of stance phase. The long digital flexors display maximum and sustained activity during suspension. It is concluded that any role for these muscles in maintenance of stability at the metacarpophalangeal joints during knuckle-walking must be predominantly passive. Prominent markings for insertions of these muscles in a fossil hand (such as O.H. 7) suggest use of the forelimb in suspensory climbing behaviors.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Function and cytochemical characteristics of postural limb muscles of the rhesus monkey: A telemetered EMG and immunofluorescence study.

Using telemetered electromyography and immunocytochemical fibre typing (of both fresh frozen and preserved specimens), the present paper demonstrates clearly that at the elbow, knee, and ankle joints, the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) is endowed with one extensor-muscle head specialized for posture. These postural heads are distinguished by (a) recruitment at low levels to maintain joint position against the effect of gravity, (b) recruitment near maximum levels during walking, and (c) high content and relatively large size of slow, fatigue-resistant (type I) muscle fibres. The nonpostural heads of the investigated muscles were recruited at levels correlated to the strenuousness of the effort and are notable by the small percentage and size of slow muscle fibres. The postmortem stability of the structural properties of myosin makes immunocytochemical fibre typing suitable for the study of preserved cadavers.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electromyographic studies of the human foot: experimental approaches to hominid evolution.

Theories about the functions of the foot muscles have centered on their role in arch support. Previous anatomical and electromyographic studies (reviewed herein) have demonstrated that the arches are normally maintained by bones and ligaments. This study reports an electromyographic investigation of five foot muscles (flexor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor accessorius, abductor hallucis, and abductor digiti quinti) conducted on four humans. The three toe flexors act together to resist extension of the toes during the stance phase of locomotion. Despite the large flexor accessorius in humans, neither this muscle nor the flexor digitorum brevis are preferentially recruited over the flexor digitorum longus for any normal posture or locomotion. The abductors affect the mediolateral distribution of pressure by positioning the forefoot. We suggest that the foot muscles play an important role in positioning of the forces on the foot in both posture and locomotion. Future electromyographic experiments on human and ape foot muscles in conjunction with detailed studies of early hominid fossils promise to elucidate the pathways of human locomotor evolution.

Adult↗