Neuromuscular synergy characteristics of Tai Chi leg stirrup movements: optimal coordination patterns throughout various phases


Author: Xiaopei Zhang1, Mengyao Jia2,3, Yong Ke1, Jihe Zhou4

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> School of Tennis, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China.

<sup>2</sup> Engineering Research Center of Sports Health Intelligent Equipment of Hubei Province, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China.

<sup>3</sup> Key Laboratory of Sports Engineering of General Administration of Sport of China, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China.

<sup>4</sup> School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China.
Conference/Journal: Front Bioeng Biotechnol
Date published: 2024 Oct 23
Other:
 Volume ID: 12   ,  Pages: 1482793   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1482793.   ,  Word Count: 186  
    Objective:

To investigate the neuromuscular activity characteristics of Tai Chi athletes and identify optimal muscle synergy patterns.



Method:

Data were collected from 12 elite Tai Chi athletes using a Vicon motion capture system, a Kistler 3D force plate, and a Noraxon surface electromyography system. Muscle synergy patterns were extracted using Non-negative Matrix Factorization.



Results:

Four muscle synergy patterns were identified in each of the three phases of the leg stirrup movement, with the optimal synergy pattern for each phase determined as follows: knee lift phase: rectus femoris and vastus lateralis of the right leg; extension phase: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and medial gastrocnemius of the right leg; recovery phase: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and medial gastrocnemius of the right leg. These patterns explain the muscle coordination activities for each phase.



Conclusion:

This study identified the optimal muscle synergy patterns for each phase, supporting the fluidity and force generation of the leg stirrup movement. This provides Tai Chi athletes with a more efficient way to exert strength and maintain balance.



Keywords: EMG; Tai Chi; dynamic stability; leg stirrup movements; muscle synergy.



PMID: 39506976 PMCID: PMC11538057 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1482793