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header lambeck 2022

During the 2008 Aquaevidence course in Leuven, Belgium (www.aquaevidence.eu), the first sophisticated EMG measurements of BRRM patterns have been successful in a trial session. A project group has written a research proposal as the basis for a preliminary study that took place in Valens, Switzerland at 18th and 19th October 2008. A 4-channel wireless system has been used (www.kine.is) and measurements of a bilateral asymmetrical reciprocal leg patterns have been made. Data have still to be analyzed, but muscles act according to the PNF tables. It seems that especially the isometric resistance is very important to achieve a proper muscle function of both the isotonic leg and the trunk. Also the use of Combination of Isotonics and Timing for Emphasis clearly showed up in a different pattern of signals.

The first part of the analysis has resulted in the following text:BRRM is an aquatic version of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, improving muscle function via patterns of movement, using operator resistance. It is assumed that using extremities as levers will activate trunk muscles and that therapist's feedback will elicit appropriate muscle responses. Both assumptions have not been verified.

Furthermore, consistency of response within and between operators is unknown. The aims of this study were to examine muscle activation in a common leg/trunk pattern and to assess similarities and differences in EMG signals between two expert therapists operating the pattern.This is relevant because information on inter- and intra-therapist variability within several repetitions of a pattern is essential in characterizing these patterns and to evaluate effects.One healthy person, familiar with the pattern, with no previous history of leg or back injury and 2 experienced BRRM therapists participated.A BRRM pattern was used with the right leg performing a flexion-adduction-external rotation movement (isotonic) and the left leg a stabilizing isometric extension-adduction-external rotation pattern. 2 sets of 15 repetitions of the pattern were performed. Wireless surface EMG was used to examine agonist muscles in leg and trunk (right Tibialis Anterior (TA), right Adductor Magnus (AM), left and right External Obliques (EO)). Contraction times, rest times and contraction activity (root mean square (RMS)) were quantified. Onset and cessation (time, RMS) of all muscles were based on the on/off activity of TA. Statisics will not be presented here, but it was concluded that experts operated a BRRM pattern with moderate consistency and also that a BRRM leg pattern can activate EO muscles. The latter might be important for patients needing core stabilization.