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Europa Medicophysica 2001 March;37(1):57-68
Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA
language: English
Surface electromyography. A window on the muscle, a glimpse on the central nervous system
Merletti R., Farina D. *, Gazzoni M., Merlo A., Ossola P., Rainoldi A. **
From the Centro di Bioingegneria Laboratorio di Ingegneria del Sistema Neuromuscolare Politecnico di Torino e ASL 1, Regione Piemonte, Torino *Départment d’Automatique et Informatique Appliquèe Ecole Central de Nantes, Nantes, France **Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Università di Tor Vergata, Roma and Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Roma
This work provides an overview of the state of the art in the field of surface EMG for non invasive characterization of muscles and identification of CNS muscle control strategies: it is in part a tutorial and in part a review. The mechanisms of EMG signal generation, propagation, detection, processing and interpretation are briefly summarized. The main results of the European Concerted Action “Surface EMG for Non Invasive Assessment of Muscles” (SENIAM) are outlined. Specific attention is focused on the key issue of proper electrode location over the muscle, that is in between the innervation zone and the muscle tendon junction. The information content of multichannel EMG obtained with an electrode array is described and the concept of motor unit (MU) signature is explained. The recognition and classification of MU signatures during an isometric contraction strongly supports the possibility of surface EMG decomposition into the constituent (superficial) motor unit action potential trains: examples are given. Applications for monitoring myoelectric manifestations of muscle fatigue are presented as well as applications in gait analysis. Most applications of the technique are very “treacherous” and require specific competence and knowledge. The incorrect modalities of data collection and interpretation are outlined.