The impact of balance and visual feedback on tibialis anterior/gastrocnemius neuromuscular activation timing in healthy young adults

Abstract

Purpose. Previous studies have compared neuromuscular patterns between healthy populations and populations with neuromuscular disorders where the functionality of the muscles might be affected. However, more research needs to be conducted to understand neuromuscular patterns within young healthy adults during various balance tasks. This study explores whether challenging the sensory systems in young adults during single and dual-cognitive balance tasks alters neuromuscular patterns at the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior. Methods. Our study involved 44 healthy young adults (10 males and 34 females) with an average age of 24.9 } 3.03 years. Electromyography electrodes were utilized to obtain electromyographic data regarding times during onset of muscle contraction, peak muscle activation, decay of muscle contraction, and duration of muscle contraction during distinct balance tests. The different balance tests involved altering sensory inputs during 4 single tasks and 4 dual-cognitive tasks. Results. Principally, no significant changes in electromyographic activity were demonstrated during the single or dualcognitive tests, especially for neuromuscular recruitment patterns for the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The comparable neuromuscular activity of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius during various balance tasks in our study extrapolates that young healthy adults have functional sensory and motor systems. Further studies need to investigate electromyographic patterns during dual-motor tasks, the involvement of other synergistic muscles for postural control, and brain activity during complex postural tasks.