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The function of the long back muscles during postural development in the rat
Behavioural Brain Research
|October 1, 1996
Summary
The development of rat back muscles (multifidus and longissimus lateralis) shows gradual changes in EMG patterns, correlating with motor skill acquisition. Trunk stabilization is crucial for developing fluent locomotion.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- The development of motor control in mammals involves complex neuromuscular maturation.
- Understanding the maturation of axial muscle electromyography (EMG) is key to deciphering motor pattern development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of multifidus (MM) and longissimus lateralis (LL) muscle EMG in rats.
- To correlate these EMG changes with behavioral development and motor pattern acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Electromyography (EMG) recordings from MM and LL muscles in 16 rats.
- Observation of muscle activity from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P45.
- Correlation of EMG data with observed behavioral development, including locomotion.
Main Results:
- EMG patterns evolved from irregular and spiky to regular interference patterns, paralleling increased general activity.
- Tonic background activity with superimposed phasic activity emerged from P11.
- Consistent modulation of long back muscle activity with the step cycle began around P15, preceding hind paw movements by the end of the second week.
- LL and MM muscle EMG development closely matched the emergence of fluent, adult-like motor patterns.
Conclusions:
- Trunk stabilization is a critical prerequisite for the development of sophisticated motor patterns.
- The maturation of axial back muscles plays a fundamental role in the development of locomotion and coordinated movement.