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European Journal of Applied Physiology

Published in:

01-10-2014 | Original Article

Electromyogram features during linear torque decrement and their changes with fatigue

Authors: Renata Andrzejewska, Artur Jaskólski, Anna Jaskólska, Massimiliano Gobbo, Claudio Orizio

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 10/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Surface electromyogram (EMG) spike shape analysis (SSA) has recently been proposed as an adjunct tool to EMG time and frequency domain analysis to increase our knowledge of motor unit (MU) control strategies. The study was aimed to understand more in MU deactivation strategy during torque decrement, and its possible changes in fatigued muscle, using a combination of traditional time and frequency domain analysis and SSA techniques.

Methods

EMG was detected from the biceps brachii of 11 untrained male subjects during static down-going ramp contractions (90–0 % of the maximal voluntary contraction, MVC) under non-fatigued (DGR) and fatigued (FDGR) conditions. The root mean square (RMS) and mean frequency (MF), as well as SSA parameters, were calculated on 1-s EMG windows centred on each 10 % MVC step for both conditions.

Results

In both the DGR and FDGR EMG-RMS, mean spike amplitude and mean spike slope decreased by 50 % in the 90–60 % MVC. The mean spike frequency also decreased by 50 % in the 30–10 % MVC. Except the “mean number of spikes per second” all the other estimated EMG parameters were significantly different during FDGR compared to DGR.

Conclusion

The dynamics of EMG parameters during torque decrement would support a MU deactivation strategy which relies more on MU de-recruitment in the high % MVC range and more on firing rate reduction in the low % MVC range. The adopted integrated approach to EMG signal processing could indicate that SSA is an important tool to disclose alterations in motor control due to fatigue.

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Title: Electromyogram features during linear torque decrement and their changes with fatigue
Authors: Renata Andrzejewska
Artur Jaskólski
Anna Jaskólska
Massimiliano Gobbo
Claudio Orizio
Publication date: 01-10-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2928-4

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Springer Medicine

Electromyogram features during linear torque decrement and their changes with fatigue

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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