The Use of Surface Electromyography in BiomechanicsCarlo J. De LucaNeuroMuscular Research Center and Biomedical Engineering Dept. and Neurology Dept., Boston University
Abstract
The lecture will explore the various uses of Surface Electromyography in the field of Biomechanics. Three groups of applications are considered; those involving: 1) the activation timing of muscles, 2) the force/EMG signal relationship, and 3) the use of the EMG signal as a fatigue index. The discussion begins with a review of the technical considerations for recording the EMG signal with maximal fidelity and a compendium of all known factors which affect the information contained in the EMG signal. These relational effects are continuously analyzed throughout the discussion to assist in explaining the relevant concerns about the inferences that can be drawn from the analysis of the signal. Five cardinal questions are posed to guide the practitioner in the proper use of Surface Electromyography. Sixteen recommendations are made to provide assistance for the proper detection, analysis and interpretation of the EMG signal and measured force. Sixteen outstanding problems, which in my view, present the greatest challenges to the advancement of Surface Electromyography are put forward for consideration. Finally, a plea is made for arriving at an international agreement on procedures commonly in use in the fields of Electromyography and Biomechanics.
A thesis of one of my students :
Incidence de l'entraînement en gymnastique sur le système neuromusculaire de l'enfant : étude comparative de paramètres mécaniques et électromyographiques chez l'enfant et l'adulte
renaud halin ·
12/2003, Degree: doctoral, Supervisor: germain philippe & bronnislaw kapitaniak
And two articles we have writen about this topic :
Neuromuscular Response of Young Boys Versus Men during Sustained Maximal Contraction
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 06/2003; 35(6):1042-8. DOI:10.1249/01.MSS.0000069407.02648.47 · 3.98 Impact Factor
Differences in strength and surface electromyogram characteristics between pre-pubertal gymnasts and untrained boys during brief and maintained maximal isometric voluntary contractions
If you want to make sense of these, you will need to carefully explain the experiment, including: which muscle, electrode positioning, load level (fraction of maximal), duration of the exercise, level of pain felt by the volunteer, recording of the torque generated, details of the subjects, and more. My suggestion is that look at the SENIAM guildlines for this. If you are unsure, you may also see one of my pubs on this topic - in IEEE TNSRE in 2012.
Remember- the association of spectrum and fatigue is known, but weak.