Quantum mechanics

Plantar flexion

Neuroscience

Statistics

Coherence (philosophical gambling strategy)

Ankle

Stimulation

Treadmill

Gait

Physics

Flexor muscles

Psychology

Anatomy

Mathematics

Physical therapy

Condensed matter physics

Electroencephalography

Medicine

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Ankle dorsiflexion

Gait analysis

Electromyography

Motor cortex

Phase coherence

Journal of Motor Behavior

The present study used coherence and directionality analyses to explore whether the motor cortex contributes to plantar flexor muscle activity during the stance phase and push-off phase during gait. Subjects walked on a treadmill, while EEG over the leg motorcortex area and EMG from the medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles was recorded. Corticomuscular and intermuscular coherence were calculated from pair-wise recordings. Significant EEG-EMG and EMG-EMG coherence in the beta and gamma frequency bands was found throughout the stance phase with the largest coherence towards push-off. Analysis of directionality revealed that EEG activity preceded EMG activity throughout the stance phase until the time of push-off. These findings suggest that the motor cortex contributes to ankle plantar flexor muscle activity and forward propulsion during gait.

Using Corticomuscular and Intermuscular Coherence to Assess Cortical Contribution to Ankle Plantar Flexor Activity During Gait