Modulation of individual and synchronized activity of ankle
plantarflexors during quiet standing in aroused emotions
Abstract
Emotional states influence postural control, but previous studies have
primarily focused on postural dynamics during quiet standing while
viewing emotional pictures, using the center of pressure as a measure.
However, the effects of emotions on neuromuscular activities related to
postural control remain unclear. During quiet standing, neuromuscular
activities of ankle plantarflexors are crucial for maintaining postural
balance, both in terms of and synchronized muscle activity. This study
aimed to clarify the emotional effects on the individual and
synchronized neuromuscular activities of ankle plantarflexors during
quiet standing. Twenty-four healthy male participants were instructed to
view emotional pictures for 72 seconds while standing. The task was
repeated four times with four picture conditions, which composed of two
arousals (High and Low) and two valences (Pleasant and Unpleasant).
During the task, electromyograms (EMG) of the tibialis anterior (TA),
soleus (SOL), and medial (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius muscles (LG)
were recorded. The EMG signals were rectified, and mean amplitude was
calculated to assess individual neuromuscular activity. Inter-muscular
coherence (IMC) between ankle plantarflexors was calculated to assess
synchronized neuromuscular activity, with mean IMC calculated at 0–4 Hz
and 8–12 Hz. Results showed that aroused emotions induced a reduction
in SOL neuromuscular activity, leading to partial backward body leaning.
Furthermore, synchronized neuromuscular activities at 8–12 Hz in the
SOL-MG and MG-LG pairs were increased under aroused emotional states,
indicating enhanced physiological tremor and a reduced capacity for
postural adjustment. These findings deepen our understanding of the
emotional impacts on standing postural control.