Microcirculation in the upper trapezius muscle during varying levels of static contraction, fatigue and recovery in healthy women--a study using percutaneous laser-Doppler flowmetry and surface electromyography.

Microcirculation in the upper portion of the trapezius muscle was measured percutaneously by continuous laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) during two 10-min series of alternating 1-min periods of static contraction and rest determined electromyographically (EMG). Stepwise increased contraction was induced by keeping the arms straight and elevated at 30, 60, 90 and 135 degrees, which was repeated with a 1-kg load carried in each hand. Thereafter, fatigue and recovery were recorded while the subject kept her arms straight and elevated at 45 degrees carrying the 1-kg hand load as long as possible, followed by rest with arms hanging and no load. A group of 16 healthy women of different ages was studied. Signal processing was done on line using a 386 SX computer. The LDF- and root-mean-square (rms) EMG signals were normalized. Spectrum analyses of EMG mean power frequency (MPF) and median spectrum frequency were performed. The rms-EMG increased significantly with an increase in the calculated shoulder torque (r = 0.75). Accumulated local fatigue was indicated by a decrease in MPF with increased shoulder angle and added load (r = -0.54). Blood flow increased with increased shoulder angle (r = 0.82, with hand load r = 0.62) and with increased shoulder torque (r = 0.72), and also showed a significant increase with increased EMG activity (r = 0.74). The LDF showed a negative correlation to MPF (r = -0.67), with increased values when MPF was lowered. During the endurance test, a moderate increase of LDF occurred which reached its maximum during the 1st min of recovery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)