| Autor: |
Villarón-Casales C; Biomechanics and Physiotherapy in Sports (BIOCAPS), Faculty of Health Sciences, European University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain., de Bernardo N; Department of Physiotherapy, Catholic University of Valencia, 46900 Valencia, Spain., Alarcón-Jiménez J; Department of Physiotherapy, Catholic University of Valencia, 46900 Valencia, Spain., López-Malo D; Biomechanics and Physiotherapy in Sports (BIOCAPS), Faculty of Health Sciences, European University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Proaño B; Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Martín-Ruiz J; Department of Health and Functional Assessment, Catholic University of Valencia, 46900 Valencia, Spain., de la Rubia Ortí JE; Department of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain. |
| Abstrakt: |
Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with high prevalence in men and is characterized by symptoms such as tremors and gait difficulties. This study aimed to determine muscle activation in patients with PD by considering sex differences. Methods: This pilot study used analytical, quantitative, observational, and case-control methods. Surface electromyography was used to assess muscle activity during a variant of the Illinois agility test. The study population comprised an experimental group of patients with PD (N = 30) and a control group of healthy individuals without the disease (N = 10). Results: The Illinois agility test revealed significant differences in completion times between the groups. The Parkinson's disease group took longer overall ( p = 0.004), especially for standing up ( p < 0.001) and sitting down ( p = 0.002), than the control group. In the control group, sex influenced gastrocnemius muscle activation, with women showing higher activation (r s = -0.87). Women also had greater rectus femoris activation during standing and sitting, with higher activation on the right side when standing (r s = -0.66) and the left side when sitting (r s = -0.87). In the control group, men exhibited greater activation of the right biceps femoris (r s = 0.87). However, in the Parkinson's disease group, sex did not affect muscle activation. Conclusions: Patients with Parkinson's showed lower muscle activation than healthy individuals while standing up, sitting down, and walking. |
