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Measuring the Effect of Vision on the Synergy of Lower Extremity Muscles during Walking using Nonnegative Matrix

Nasim Safari¹, Mahboubeh Alemzadeh¹, Mahdi Majlesi²

¹Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

Applied Bionics and Biomechanics

|April 28, 2023

Summary

Vision loss impacts lower limb muscle synergy during walking. Blind individuals exhibit altered muscle activation patterns, suggesting compensatory strategies by the central nervous system (CNS) for maintaining motor function.

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Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomechanics
Motor Control

Background:

Visual information is crucial for modulating muscle synergy during locomotion.
The central nervous system (CNS) integrates sensory input to coordinate complex movements like walking.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of vision absence on lower limb muscle synergy during walking.
To compare muscle activation patterns between blind individuals and those with normal vision.

Main Methods:

Employed nonnegative matrix factorization (NNMF) to analyze electromyography (EMG) data from lower limb muscles during walking.
Recruited 10 blind individuals and 10 normally sighted individuals for the study.
Utilized Pearson correlation and independent samples t-test to assess differences in muscle synergy patterns and muscle weightings.

Main Results:

Four distinct muscle synergies were identified in both groups.
Moderate correlations were observed for the first two synergies, while weak correlations were found for the third and fourth synergies between groups.
Significant differences in muscle weightings were noted in the blind group, particularly affecting the external extensor and biceps femoris muscles in specific synergies.

Conclusions:

The CNS may employ altered muscle synergy strategies to maintain optimal motor function in the absence of vision.
These findings highlight the adaptive capacity of the motor system in response to sensory deprivation.