MUSCULAR CONTRACTION AND EXTRA CELLULAR WATER RETENTION IN THE LEGS EVALUATED BY EVOKED ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND MECHANOMYOGRAPHY

Abstract

Although it has been reported that there are changes in blood flow when swelling occurs due to long-term sitting, there has not been any evaluation of muscular contruction in the legs in the presence of fluid retention due standing for a prolonged period. This study investigated the heavy and tired sensation that occurs when the legs are swollen. The subjects maintained a standing position for 90 minutes to increase water accumulation in the legs, and then electromyography, mechanomyography, and muscle strength measurement were performed during tibial nerve stimulation in order to evaluate leg muscular contruction in the presence of swelling. Extra cellular water retention delayed and reduced the muscular response. This finding suggested these changes in muscular construction cause the heavy and tired sensation that occurs with leg swelling.