Changes in the electromyogram of two major hindlimb muscles during locomotor development in the rat

The development of the electromyogram (EMG) of tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (GM) during locomotion was studied in normal rats from the onset of quadruped walking (postnatal day 10, P10) until P42. The objectives were to relate signal properties of the EMG and coordination of muscle activity to functional development of the hindlimb, which proceeds rapidly around P15. Both the EMG characteristics and the activation pattern showed marked changes with age. Initially, the EMG bursts were irregular and protracted. The activity level in the two muscles, in particular in GM, seemed to be low. Until P14, the motor units of GM showed a tendency towards synchronization. The EMG of TA consisted of an adult-like interference pattern from the youngest age studied. Although co-contraction of TA and GM was sometimes observed until P14, reciprocal activation of the muscles was evident at all ages. The timing of the alternating pattern became more accurate with age. The activity level in both muscles increased markedly from P15. These changes were reflected in the form factor (coefficient of variability) of the EMG and, to a lesser extent, in the power spectra. The time course of these changes bears a close temporal relationship to the development of locomotion. These results suggest that the degree of muscle activation is a decisive factor with respect to locomotor development. It is proposed that this is related to the maturation of supraspinal control.