Electromyogram

(EMG)
Jhoniel Viloria
Introduction

Electromyogram (EMG) is a technique for evaluating

and recording the activation signal of muscles.
EMG is performed by an electromyograph, which
records an electromyogram.
Electromyograph detects the electrical potential
generated by muscle cells when these cells contract
and relax.
Introduction

Electrical signals associated with the contraction of a

muscular is called an electromyogram (EMG).

The study of EMGs is called electromyography.

History

1838 Matteucci first describes the existence of

electrical output from muscle.
1929 introduction to coaxial needle electrode

It has been noted that the relaxing muscle doesnt

produce voltage, the EMG signals are generated in
case of muscle contractions.
EMG Signal

Factors, which can influence the EMG signal:

Velocity of shortening or lengthening of the muscle
Fatigue;
Reflex activity.
 EMG Signal

Muscle Signals are

Analog in nature.

EMG signals are also

collected over a Analog Signal
specific period of time.
Electrical Characteristics

The electrical source is the muscle membrane potential

of about -70mV.
Measured EMG potentials range between < 50 V up to
20 to 30 mV, depending on the muscle under
observation.
Typical repetition rate of muscle unit firing is about
7-20 Hz.
Power Spectrum

Frequency (Hz)
 EMG PROCEDURE

Clean the site of application

of electrode;
Insert needle/place surface
electrodes at muscle belly;
Record muscle activity at rest;
Record muscle activity upon
voluntary contraction of the
muscle.
EMG Circuit
EMG Circuit
EMG Processing

Signal pick up Amplification

& Filtering

Computer Conversion of Analog

signals to Digital signals
Applications of EMG

EMG can be used for diagnosis of Neurogenic or

Myogenic Diseases.
Indicator for muscle activation/deactivation
Relationship of force/EMG signal
Use of EMG signal as a fatigue index
Types of EMG

Electrode Categories
Inserted
Fine-wire (Intra-muscular)
Needle
Surface
Types of EMG

Intramuscular
- Needle Electrodes

Extramuscular
- Surface Electrodes
Fine-wire Electrodes

Advantages
Extremely sensitive
Record single muscle activity
Access to deep musculature
Little cross-talk concern
Disadvantages
Extremely sensitive
Requires medical personnel, certification
Repositioning nearly impossible
Detection area may not be representative of entire muscle
Surface Electrodes

Advantages
Quick, easy to apply
No medical supervision, required certification
Minimal discomfort
Disadvantages
Generally used only for superficial muscles
Cross-talk concerns
No standard electrode placement
May affect movement patterns of subject
Limitations with recording dynamic muscle activity
General Concerns

Signal-to-noise ratio
Ratio of energy of EMG signal divided by energy of
noise signal
Distortion of the signal
EMG signal should be altered as minimally as possible
for accurate representation
Characteristics of EMG Signal

Amplitude range:
010 mV (+5 to -5)
prior to
amplification
Useable energy:
Range of 0 - 500 Hz
Dominant energy:
30 200 Hz
Characteristics of Electrical Noise

Inherent noise in electronics equipment

Ambient noise
Motion artifact
Inherent instability of signal
Inherent Noise in Electronics Equipment

Generated by all electronics equipment

Frequency range: 0 several thousand Hz
Cannot be eliminated
Reduced by using high quality components
Ambient Noise

Electromagnetic radiation sources

Radio transmission
Electrical wires
Fluorescent lights
Dominant frequency: 60 Hz
Amplitude: 1 3x EMG signal
Essentially impossible to avoid
Motion Artifact

Two main sources

Electrode/skin interface
Electrode cable
Frequency range: 0 20 Hz
Reducible by proper circuitry and set-up
Inherent Instability of Signal

Amplitude is somewhat random in nature

Frequency range of 0 20 Hz is especially unstable
Therefore, removal of this range is recommended
Maximizing Quality of EMG Signal

Signal-to-noise ratio
Highest amount of information from EMG signal as
possible
Minimum amount of noise contamination
As minimal distortion of EMG signal as possible
No unnecessary filtering
No distortion of signal peaks
No notch filters recommended
Ex: 60 Hz
 End
of
Slide Show