Analysis of the electromyographic activity, strength, and heart rate variability in caregivers of bedridden patients before and after a workday: a cross-sectional observational study

Pamela Karoline Silva; Thiago Montes Fidale; Claudemir Kuhn Faccioli; Márcio Peres de Souza; Roberto Bernadino Júnior; Eliza Fernanda Borges; Daniela Cristina  de Oliveira Silva; Frederico Balbino Lizardo

doi:10.14393/BJ-v42n0a2026-77572

Authors

Pamela Karoline Silva Federal University of Uberlândia
Thiago Montes Fidale Federal University of Catalao https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6137-1687
Claudemir Kuhn Faccioli Federal University of Uberlândia
Márcio Peres de Souza Federal University of Uberlândia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3655-5791
Roberto Bernadino Júnior Federal University of Uberlândia
Eliza Fernanda Borges Federal University of Uberlândia
Daniela Cristina de Oliveira Silva Federal University of Uberlândia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6931-5746
Frederico Balbino Lizardo Federal University of Uberlândia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v42n0a2026-77572

Keywords:

Electromyography, Low back pain, Work stress.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) signal and strength of the erector spinae muscles and heart rate variability (HRV) of caregivers before and after a workday. Twenty-four caregivers with low back pain were selected. EMG data (RMS (Root Mean Square) and F50) and erector spinae strength were collected from three maximal voluntary isometric contractions and recorded using an electromyograph (EMG System of Brazil 830C). HRV was collected using the POLAR H10 strap. For data analysis, GraphPad Prism (version 8.4; GraphPad Software, Inc.) was used, and the significance level was set at 5%. RMS significantly increased after a workday, but no significant drop was observed in the values of F50 and strength. Regarding HRV, a predominance of the sympathetic nervous system was observed to the detriment of the parasympathetic nervous system. The results suggest increased neuromuscular demand and autonomic alterations consistent with higher physiological stress at the end of the day.

Author Biography

Frederico Balbino Lizardo, Federal University of Uberlândia

raduado em Educação Física pela Universidade Federal de Uberlândia-UFU (2004), Mestre em Ciências Veterinárias pela UFU (2009) e Doutor em biologia buco-dental (ÁREA- ANATOMIA) pela Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FOP/UNICAMP). Atualmente é professor efetivo de Anatomia Humana do Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICBIM) da UFU. Tem experiência na área de Morfologia, com ênfase em Anatomia Humana, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: Anatomia Humana, Eletromiografia e Anatomia Comparativa.

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