title: Electromyographic activity of m. longissimus and the kinematics of the vertebral column during level and downslope treadmill walking in cats.
abstract: Electromyographic (EMG) burst patterns of m. longissimus and the kinematics of the vertebral column were assessed in cats during treadmill walking for six downslope grades (5 degrees-30 degrees). The EMG bursts during downslope walking were weak between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. At steeper grades (>20 degrees), EMG bursts were large. Bursts at T10 facilitated inward movements, and those at L1 decreased forward movements, while those at L5 decreased backward movements during downslope walking at steeper grades.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi City, 753-8515, Japan. naomi@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyajima
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akatani
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimojo
authors.forename: Kenro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002415:Cats; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*