Electromechanical delay in a ball release activity with time- and non-time constrained situations performed by boccia players

Abstract

Introduction: This study assess the electromechanical delay of the fingers extensors during a ball release with and without command constraints, although surface EMG is rarely used to assess the activation and muscle coordination in upper limbs in people with cerebral palsy.Material and Methods: Twenty-eight recreational Boccia players eligible to play Boccia (BC1 and BC2 classes) took part in this study. A Surface Electromyography and a contact sensor were used to assess the electromechanical delay (EMD). The EMD variables calculated in both situations, with and without sound stimulus, were the average and the coefficient of variation (CV).Results: A negative correlation among average and CV in the without sound situation was obtained (cor. = -0.42; p = 0.025); and a positive correlation was obtained among the average scores in with and without sound situations (cor. = 0.63; p < 0.001). No significant differences were obtained within-situations comparisons and in the interaction classes*situations.Dicussion: CV results suggest that EMD could be a variable to analyze the impact of the impairment in persons with CP, but unfortunately did not have enough sensitivity in our study to discriminate between classes.