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Gabriel DA. Teaching Essential EMG Theory to Kinesiologists and Physical Therapists Using Analogies Visual Descriptions, and Qualitative Analysis of Biophysical Concepts. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:6555. [PMID: 36081014 PMCID: PMC9460425 DOI: 10.3390/s22176555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Electromyography (EMG) is a multidisciplinary field that brings together allied health (kinesiology and physical therapy) and the engineering sciences (biomedical and electrical). Since the physical sciences are used in the measurement of a biological process, the presentation of the theoretical foundations of EMG is most conveniently conducted using math and physics. However, given the multidisciplinary nature of EMG, a course will most likely include students from diverse backgrounds, with varying levels of math and physics. This is a pedagogical paper that outlines an approach for teaching foundational concepts in EMG to kinesiologists and physical therapists that uses a combination of analogies, visual descriptions, and qualitative analysis of biophysical concepts to develop an intuitive understanding for those who are new to surface EMG. The approach focuses on muscle fiber action potentials (MFAPs), motor unit action potentials (MUAPs), and compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) because changes in these waveforms are much easier to identify and describe in comparison to the surface EMG interference pattern (IP).
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Gabriel
- Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
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Beretta-Piccoli M, Negro M, Calanni L, Berardinelli A, Siciliano G, Tupler R, Soldini E, Cescon C, D'Antona G. Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity Correlates With the Age at Onset in Mild FSHD Cases. Front Physiol 2021; 12:686176. [PMID: 34220550 PMCID: PMC8247588 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.686176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A majority of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) report severe fatigue. The aim of this study was to explore whether fatigability during a performance task is related to the main clinical features of the disease in mildly affected patients. A total of 19 individuals with a molecular genetic-based diagnosis of FSHD (median D4Z4 deletion length of 27 kb) performed two isometric flexions of the dominant biceps brachii at 20% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 2 min, and then at 60% MVC until exhaustion. Fatigability indices (average rectified value, mean frequency, conduction velocity, and fractal dimension) were extracted from the surface electromyogram (sEMG) signal, and their correlations with age, age at onset, disease duration, D4Z4 contraction length, perceived fatigability, and clinical disability score were analyzed. The conduction velocity during the low level contraction showed a significant negative correlation with the age at onset (p < 0.05). This finding suggest the assessment of conduction velocity at low isometric contraction intensities, as a potential useful tool to highlight differences in muscle involvement in FSHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Beretta-Piccoli
- Criams-Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Negro
- Criams-Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Calanni
- Criams-Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Emiliano Soldini
- Research Methodology Competence Centre, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno, Switzerland
| | - Corrado Cescon
- Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe D'Antona
- Criams-Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Increased resistance towards fatigability in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 121:1617-1629. [PMID: 33646424 PMCID: PMC8144151 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-021-04650-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) fatigue is a major complaint. We aimed to investigate whether during isometric sustained elbow flexions, performance fatigability indexes differ in patients with FSHD with respect to healthy controls. METHODS Seventeen patients with FSHD and seventeen healthy controls performed two isometric flexions of the dominant biceps brachii at 20% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 2 min and then at 60% MVC until exhaustion. Muscle weakness was characterized as a percentage of predicted values. Maximal voluntary strength, endurance time and performance fatigability indices (mean frequency of the power spectrum (MNF), muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) and fractal dimension (FD)), extracted from the surface electromyogram signal (sEMG) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS In patients with FSHD, maximal voluntary strength was 68.7% of predicted value (p < 0.01). Compared to healthy controls, FSHD patients showed reduced MVC (p < 0.001; r = 0.62) and lower levels of performance fatigability, characterized by reduced rate of changes in MNF (p < 0.01; r = 0.56), CV (p < 0.05; 0.37) and FD (p < 0.001; r = 0.51) and increased endurance time (p < 0.001; r = 0.63), during the isometric contraction at 60% MVC. CONCLUSION A decreased reduction in the slopes of all the considered sEMG parameters during sustained isometric elbow flexions suggests that patients with FSHD experience lower levels of performance fatigability compared to healthy controls.
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Beretta-Piccoli M, Cescon C, D’Antona G. Evaluation of performance fatigability through surface EMG in health and muscle disease: state of the art. ARAB JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/25765299.2020.1862985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Beretta-Piccoli
- Criams-Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno, Switzerland
| | - Corrado Cescon
- Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied, Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe D’Antona
- Criams-Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Zhang X, Li X, Tang X, Chen X, Chen X, Zhou P. Spatial filtering for enhanced high-density surface electromyographic examination of neuromuscular changes and its application to spinal cord injury. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2020; 17:160. [PMID: 33272283 PMCID: PMC7713033 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-020-00786-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spatial filtering of multi-channel signals is considered to be an effective pre-processing approach for improving signal-to-noise ratio. The use of spatial filtering for preprocessing high-density (HD) surface electromyogram (sEMG) helps to extract critical spatial information, but its application to non-invasive examination of neuromuscular changes have not been well investigated. Methods Aimed at evaluating how spatial filtering can facilitate examination of muscle paralysis, three different spatial filtering methods are presented using principle component analysis (PCA) algorithm, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm, and both combination, respectively. Their performance was evaluated in terms of diagnostic power, through HD-sEMG clustering index (CI) analysis of neuromuscular changes in paralyzed muscles following spinal cord injury (SCI). Results The experimental results showed that: (1) The CI analysis of conventional single-channel sEMG can reveal complex neuromuscular changes in paralyzed muscles following SCI, and its diagnostic power has been confirmed to be characterized by the variance of Z scores; (2) the diagnostic power was highly dependent on the location of sEMG recording channel. Directly averaging the CI diagnostic indicators over channels just reached a medium level of the diagnostic power; (3) the use of either PCA-based or NMF-based filtering method yielded a greater diagnostic power, and their combination could even enhance the diagnostic power significantly. Conclusions This study not only presents an essential preprocessing approach for improving diagnostic power of HD-sEMG, but also helps to develop a standard sEMG preprocessing pipeline, thus promoting its widespread application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Xinhui Li
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Tang
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Xun Chen
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China.
| | - Xiang Chen
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering, University of Rehabilitation, Qingdao, 266024, Shandong, China
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Green LA, Christie A, Gabriel DA. Spike shape analysis for the surface and needle electromyographic interference pattern. Biomed Signal Process Control 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Ma C, Chen N, Mao Y, Huang D, Song R, Li L. Alterations of Muscle Activation Pattern in Stroke Survivors during Obstacle Crossing. Front Neurol 2017; 8:70. [PMID: 28316588 PMCID: PMC5334356 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigates changes in the neuromuscular activation pattern of the lower limb muscles in stroke survivors when crossing obstacles of three different heights. METHODS Eight stroke survivors and eight age-, height-, and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited and instructed to cross over obstacles with heights of 10, 20, and 30% leg length. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) of both limbs. Muscle activation signals were normalized to maximum voluntary contraction. Differences between groups and heights were compared using the root mean square of EMG, the cocontraction index of agonist and antagonist muscles, and power spectral analysis based on the mean power frequency (MPF). The correlations between the calculated variables and clinical scales such as Berg Balance Scale and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) were also examined. RESULTS During the leading limb swing phase, the activation levels of all four muscles were greater in the stroke group than the healthy controls (p < 0.05), and the TA showed increased activation level with increasing obstacle height in both groups (p < 0.05). Cocontraction between the TA and MG was higher in the stroke group during the swing phase of the leading limb and between the RF and BF during the stance phase (p < 0.05). Similarly, for the trailing limb, increased cocontractions between the two pairs of agonist and antagonist muscles were found during the stance phase in the stroke group (p < 0.05). During the crossing stride, the frequency analysis showed significantly smaller MPF values in all four lower limb muscles in the leading limb of stroke survivors compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant correlations were found between the FMA scores and the BF and TA activations in the leading limb during the swing phase (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Greater activation levels of the lower limb muscles resulted in higher muscular demands for stroke survivors, which might lead to greater difficulty in maintaining balance. The increased cocontraction during obstacle crossing might be compensation for the affected stability and enable safe crossing for stroke survivors. The reduced MPF in the affected limb of the stroke group might be due to impairments in motor units or other complex neuromuscular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenming Ma
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guang Dong Province, School of Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Yurong Mao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Dongfeng Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Rong Song
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guang Dong Province, School of Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Le Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
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Askary-Ashtiani A, Ghanjal A, Motaqi M, Meftahi GH, Hatef B, Niknam H. The Isokinetic and Electromyographic Assessment of Knee Muscles Strength in the Short- and Long-Term Type 2 Diabetes. Asian J Sports Med 2016; 7:e37008. [PMID: 28144413 PMCID: PMC5259685 DOI: 10.5812/asjsm.37008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients are subject to muscle weakness. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was an assessment of electromyographic (EMG) activity of knee muscles during isometric maximal voluntary contraction in the different disease durations of T2DM. METHODS Eighteen patients with less than 10 years and twelve patients with more than 10 years of T2DM were compared with nineteen matched healthy control subjects. EMG of flexor and extensor muscles of knee concurrently with isometric maximal peak torque of knee flexion and extension at 75 degrees of knee flexion were recorded in three groups. RESULTS Isometric maximal peak torque of extension and root mean squared (RMS) of vastus lateralis and medial hamstring in the healthy control was significantly higher than both patient groups. Whenever the maximal isometric peak flexion torque was not significantly different between groups, the mean power frequency (MPF) of flexor muscles especially medial hamstrings were higher in the short-term T2DM than healthy control groups. The two factors, gender and age, had significant effect on maximal peak torque and RMS of knee muscles. CONCLUSIONS EMG could show the effect of T2DM, gender and age on knee muscles activity. It seems that the medial hamstring was the most sensitive muscle of knee compartment to show the effect of T2DM and difference of short and long-term T2DM in EMG study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Ghanjal
- Health Management Research Centre, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baqiyatallah University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monireh Motaqi
- Departement of Basic Science, Rehabilitation Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Boshra Hatef
- Neuroscience Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hoda Niknam
- Department of Physical Therapy, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Roman-Liu D. The influence of confounding factors on the relationship between muscle contraction level and MF and MPF values of EMG signal: a review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2016; 22:77-91. [PMID: 26654476 PMCID: PMC4784495 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2015.1116817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to gather results of studies on the relationship between median frequency (MF) and mean power frequency (MPF) and the level of muscle contraction, and to use those results to discuss the differences in the trends according to factors related to measurement technique and subject. Twenty-one studies with 63 cases for upper limb muscles and nine studies with 31 cases for lower limb muscles were analysed. Most results showed an increase in parameters with an increased level of muscle contraction, only some studies showed a decrease. The influence on parameters of the level of muscle contraction and factors such as subjects, type of contraction, muscle length and electrodes was analysed for each muscle. It was concluded that when analysing the influence of different factors on MF and MPF, because those factors interact they should be considered together, not separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danuta Roman-Liu
- Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB), Poland
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McManus L, Hu X, Rymer WZ, Lowery MM, Suresh NL. Changes in motor unit behavior following isometric fatigue of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. J Neurophysiol 2015; 113:3186-96. [PMID: 25761952 PMCID: PMC4432683 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00146.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular strategies employed to compensate for fatigue-induced muscle force deficits are not clearly understood. This study utilizes surface electromyography (sEMG) together with recordings of a population of individual motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) to investigate potential compensatory alterations in motor unit (MU) behavior immediately following a sustained fatiguing contraction and after a recovery period. EMG activity was recorded during abduction of the first dorsal interosseous in 12 subjects at 20% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), before and directly after a 30% MVC fatiguing contraction to task failure, with additional 20% MVC contractions following a 10-min rest. The amplitude, duration and mean firing rate (MFR) of MUAPs extracted with a sEMG decomposition system were analyzed, together with sEMG root-mean-square (RMS) amplitude and median frequency (MPF). MUAP duration and amplitude increased immediately postfatigue and were correlated with changes to sEMG MPF and RMS, respectively. After 10 min, MUAP duration and sEMG MPF recovered to prefatigue values but MUAP amplitude and sEMG RMS remained elevated. MU MFR and recruitment thresholds decreased postfatigue and recovered following rest. The increase in MUAP and sEMG amplitude likely reflects recruitment of larger MUs, while recruitment compression is an additional compensatory strategy directly postfatigue. Recovery of MU MFR in parallel with MUAP duration suggests a possible role for metabolically sensitive afferents in MFR depression postfatigue. This study provides insight into fatigue-induced neuromuscular changes by examining the properties of a large population of concurrently recorded single MUs and outlines possible compensatory strategies involving alterations in MU recruitment and MFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara McManus
- University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Xiaogang Hu
- Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - William Z Rymer
- Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; and Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | | | - Nina L Suresh
- Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; and
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Characterization of Stroke- and Aging-Related Changes in the Complexity of EMG Signals During Tracking Tasks. Ann Biomed Eng 2014; 43:990-1002. [DOI: 10.1007/s10439-014-1150-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Sheehan RC, Gottschall JS. Segment lengths influence hill walking strategies. J Biomech 2014; 47:2611-7. [PMID: 24968942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Segment lengths are known to influence walking kinematics and muscle activity patterns. During level walking at the same speed, taller individuals take longer, slower strides than shorter individuals. Based on this, we sought to determine if segment lengths also influenced hill walking strategies. We hypothesized that individuals with longer segments would display more joint flexion going uphill and more extension going downhill as well as greater lateral gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis activity in both directions. Twenty young adults of varying heights (below 155 cm to above 188 cm) walked at 1.25 m/s on a level treadmill as well as 6° and 12° up and downhill slopes while we collected kinematic and muscle activity data. Subsequently, we ran linear regressions for each of the variables with height, leg, thigh, and shank length. Despite our population having twice the anthropometric variability, the level and hill walking patterns matched closely with previous studies. While there were significant differences between level and hill walking, there were few hill walking variables that were correlated with segment length. In support of our hypothesis, taller individuals had greater knee and ankle flexion during uphill walking. However, the majority of the correlations were between tibialis anterior and lateral gastrocnemius activities and shank length. Contrary to our hypothesis, relative step length and muscle activity decreased with segment length, specifically shank length. In summary, it appears that individuals with shorter segments require greater propulsion and toe clearance during uphill walking as well as greater braking and stability during downhill walking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley C Sheehan
- Department of Kinesiology The Pennsylvania State University 29 Recreation Building University Park, PA, 16802 USA.
| | - Jinger S Gottschall
- Department of Kinesiology The Pennsylvania State University 29 Recreation Building University Park, PA, 16802 USA
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Li X, Shin H, Zhou P, Niu X, Liu J, Rymer WZ. Power spectral analysis of surface electromyography (EMG) at matched contraction levels of the first dorsal interosseous muscle in stroke survivors. Clin Neurophysiol 2014; 125:988-94. [PMID: 24268816 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2013.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Green LA, Parro JJ, Gabriel DA. Quantifying the familiarization period for maximal resistive exercise. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2014; 39:275-81. [DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2013-0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Resistive exercise is used in the assessment of musculoskeletal health, performance, training interventions, and population differences (i.e., gender, age, training status). There is a need to determine the amount of familiarization required to stabilize performance prior to testing. Fifteen males completed a familiarization session consisting of 3 blocks of 5 maximal isometric dorsiflexion contractions, followed by a retention test (an additional block of 5 contractions) performed 3 days later. Mean force and surface electromyography (sEMG) from both the agonist and antagonist muscles were collected. A variance ratio, representing the stability between trials, was calculated for each of the 4 blocks of 5 contractions for both force and sEMG. The variance ratio for both force and agonist sEMG decreased significantly within the first 10 trials and remained stable during the retention test. The variance ratio for antagonist sEMG was stable across the 3 blocks of familiarization and significantly decreased during the retention test. The magnitude variables all remained stable across the 3 familiarization blocks. However, an 11% increase in mean force was seen during the retention test while both agonist and antagonist sEMG remained stable. Although slight changes occurred in the magnitude variables during the retention test, the stabilization of the force and agonist sEMG variance ratios suggest that familiarization to the task was achieved within the first 10 contractions and was sustained over a 3-day period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara A. Green
- Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Justin J. Parro
- Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - David A. Gabriel
- Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
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Zhao Y, Li D. A simulation study on the relation between muscle motor unit numbers and the non-Gaussianity/non-linearity levels of surface electromyography. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2012; 55:958-67. [PMID: 23160827 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-012-4400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that surface electromyography (sEMG) signals have non-Gaussianity and non-linearity properties. It is known that more muscle motor units are recruited and firing rates (FRs) increase as exertion increases. A hypothesis was proposed that the Gaussianity test (S (g)) and linearity test (S (ℓ)) levels of sEMG signals are associated with the number of active motor units (nMUs) and the FR. The hypothesis has only been preliminarily discussed in experimental studies. We used a simulation sEMG model involving spatial (active MUs) and temporal (three FRs) information to test the hypothesis. Higher-order statistics (HOS) from the bi-frequency domain were used to perform S (g) and S (ℓ). Multivariate covariance analysis and a correlation test were employed to determine the nMUs-S (g) relationship and the nMUs-S (ℓ) relationship. Results showed that nMUs, the FR, and the interaction of nMUs and the FR all influenced the S (g) and S (ℓ) values. The nMUs negatively correlated to both the S (g) and S (ℓ) values. That is, at the three FRs, sEMG signals tended to a more Gaussian and linear distribution as exertion and nMUs increased. The study limited experiment factors to the sEMG non-Gaussianity and non-linearity levels. The study quantitatively described nMUs and the FR of muscle that are not directly available from experiments. Our finding has guiding significance for muscle capability assessment and prosthetic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
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Barbado Murillo D, Sabido Solana R, Vera-Garcia FJ, Gusi Fuertes N, Moreno FJ. Effect of increasing difficulty in standing balance tasks with visual feedback on postural sway and EMG: Complexity and performance. Hum Mov Sci 2012; 31:1224-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2012.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2011] [Revised: 12/17/2011] [Accepted: 01/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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YANG DD, HOU WS, WU XY, ZHENG J, ZHENG XL, JIANG YT, MA L. IMPACT OF FINGERTIP ACTIONS ON TOTAL POWER OF SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY FROM EXTRINSIC HAND MUSCLES. J MECH MED BIOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219519411004800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Quantizing the relationship between finger force and multitendoned extrinsic hand muscles could be useful for understanding the control strategies that underlie the coordination of finger movements and forces. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship of fingertip force production and total power of surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded on extrinsic hand muscles under isometric voluntary contraction. Thirteen healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in this study. In the designed force-tracking tasks, all volunteers were required to produce a certain force with either index finger or middle finger to match the target force for 5 s. Meanwhile, the sEMG signals were acquired from two extrinsic hand muscles: extensor digitorum (ED) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). For each trial, sEMG of the effective force segment was extracted; then, the power spectrum was estimated based on autoregressive (AR) model and from which the corresponding total power of sEMG was computed. The experimental results reveal that the total power of sEMG linearly increases with force level regardless of the task finger and extrinsic hand muscle. It is also found that the total power obtained from index finger is significantly less than that of middle finger for FDS at the same force level (p < 0.05), while this kind of statistical significance cannot be found for ED. However, with respect to the measurement of total power, the type of extrinsic hand muscle has not exhibited significantly different contribution to the task finger under a certain fingertip force level. The findings of this study indicate that the total power of the extrinsic hand muscle's sEMG can be used to characterize finger's activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. D. YANG
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, No. 174, Shazhengjie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - W. S. HOU
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, No. 174, Shazhengjie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - X. Y. WU
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, No. 174, Shazhengjie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - J. ZHENG
- Department of Computer Science, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
| | - X. L. ZHENG
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, No. 174, Shazhengjie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Y. T. JIANG
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - L. MA
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, No. 174, Shazhengjie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China
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Poosapadi Arjunan S, Kumar DK. Computation of fractal features based on the fractal analysis of surface Electromyogram to estimate force of contraction of different muscles. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2012; 17:210-6. [DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2012.675055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Effects of monopolar and bipolar electrode configurations on surface EMG spike analysis. Med Eng Phys 2011; 33:1079-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2011.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2010] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Ahn AN, Kang JK, Quitt MA, Davidson BC, Nguyen CT. Variability of neural activation during walking in humans: short heels and big calves. Biol Lett 2011; 7:539-42. [PMID: 21288939 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.1169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
People come in different shapes and sizes. In particular, calf muscle size in humans varies considerably. One possible cause for the different shapes of calf muscles is the inherent difference in neural signals sent to these muscles during walking. In sedentary adults, the variability in neural control of the calf muscles was examined with muscle size, walking kinematics and limb morphometrics. Half the subjects walked while activating their medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles more strongly than their lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles during most walking speeds ('MG-biased'). The other subjects walked while activating their MG and LG muscles nearly equally ('unbiased'). Those who walked with an MG-biased recruitment pattern also had thicker MG muscles and shorter heel lengths, or MG muscle moment arms, than unbiased walkers, but were similar in height, weight, lower limb length, foot length, and exhibited similar walking kinematics. The relatively less plastic skeletal system may drive calf muscle size and motor recruitment patterns of walking in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Ahn
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, 301 Platt Boulevard, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
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Gabriel DA, Christie A, Inglis JG, Kamen G. Experimental and modelling investigation of surface EMG spike analysis. Med Eng Phys 2010; 33:427-37. [PMID: 21146442 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2010.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Revised: 10/27/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A pattern classification method based on five measures extracted from the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal is used to provide a unique characterization of the interference pattern for different motor unit behaviours. This study investigated the sensitivity of the five sEMG measures during the force gradation process. Tissue and electrode filtering effects were further evaluated using a sEMG model. Subjects (N=8) performed isometric elbow flexion contractions from 0 to 100% MVC. The sEMG signals from the biceps brachii were recorded simultaneously with force. The basic building block of the sEMG model was the detection of single fibre action potentials (SFAPs) through a homogeneous, equivalent isotropic, infinite volume conduction medium. The SFAPs were summed to generate single motor unit action potentials. The physiologic properties from a well-known muscle model and motor unit recruitment and firing rate schemes were combined to generate synthetic sEMG signals. The following pattern classification measures were calculated: mean spike amplitude, mean spike frequency, mean spike slope, mean spike duration, and the mean number of peaks per spike. Root-mean-square amplitude and mean power frequency were also calculated. Taken together, the experimental data and modelling analysis showed that below 50% MVC, the pattern classification measures were more sensitive to changes in force than traditional time and frequency measures. However, there are additional limitations associated with electrode distance from the source that must be explored further. Future experimental work should ensure that the inter-electrode distance is no greater than 1cm to mitigate the effects of tissue filtering.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Gabriel
- Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1.
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The relationship between oxygenation and myoelectric activity in the forearm and shoulder muscles of males and females. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 111:647-58. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-010-1688-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Stirn I, Jarm T, Kapus V, Strojnik V. Evaluation of muscle fatigue during 100-m front crawl. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 111:101-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-010-1624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Christie A, Greig Inglis J, Kamen G, Gabriel DA. Relationships between surface EMG variables and motor unit firing rates. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009; 107:177-85. [PMID: 19544067 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-1113-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although surface electromyography (sEMG) is a widely used electrophysiological technique, its physiological interpretation remains somewhat controversial. This study examined the relationship between motor unit firing rates (MUFR) and the root mean square (RMS) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) of the sEMG signal in the biceps brachii. Eleven subjects performed maximal isometric elbow flexion while indwelling and sEMG recordings were obtained from the biceps. The RMS amplitude and MPF of the surface signal, and the mean MUFR from the indwelling signal, were calculated over 500 ms epochs. Group means showed a strong MUFR-RMS amplitude relationship (r (2) = 0.91), but a weak MUFR-MPF relationship (r (2) = 0.20). Using all trials, the MUFR-RMS amplitude (r (2) = 0.19) and MUFR-MPF (r (2) = 0.0037) relationships were much weaker. Within individual subjects, the MUFR-RMS amplitude (mean r (2) = 0.13 +/- 0.17) and the MUFR-MPF (mean r (2) = 0.040 +/- 0.041) relationships were also weak. These results suggest that MUFR cannot be predicted from the characteristics of the sEMG signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Christie
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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Enoka RM. Comments on Point:Counterpoint: Spectral properties of the surface EMG can characterize/do not provide information about motor unit recruitment strategies and muscle fiber type. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2008; 105:1680-1. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.zdg-8232-pcpcomm.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Motor unit synchronization in FDI and biceps brachii muscles of strength-trained males. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2008; 19:800-9. [PMID: 18691906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2008.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2008] [Revised: 06/10/2008] [Accepted: 06/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor unit (MU) synchronization is the simultaneous or near-simultaneous firing of two MUs which occurs more often than would be expected by chance. The present study sought to investigate the effects of exercise training, muscle group, and force level, by comparing the magnitude of synchronization in the biceps brachii (BB) and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscles of untrained and strength-trained college-aged males at two force levels, 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and 80% MVC. MU action potentials were recorded directly via an intramuscular needle electrode. The magnitude of synchronization was assessed using previously-reported synchronization indices: k', E, and CIS. Synchronization was significantly higher in the FDI than in the BB. Greater synchronization was observed in the strength-trained group with CIS, but not with E or k'. Also, synchronization was significantly greater at 80% MVC than at 30% MVC with E, but only moderately greater with CIS and there was no force difference with k'. Synchronization prevalence was found to be greater in the BB (80.1%) than in the FDI (71.5%). Thus, although the evidence is a bit equivocal, it appears that MU synchronization is greater at higher forces, and greater in strength-trained individuals than in untrained subjects.
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