MSc by Research student

Course Start: 17/10/2016
Supervisor: Dr Daniel Robbins and Dr John McCarthy

Thesis title

An investigation into the relationship between muscle force and EMG amplitude.

Abstract

The examination of muscle function can be achieved by using various methods and techniques, either by using manual methods or by using equipment such as hand-held dynamometers, weights and isokinetic dynamometers (Jones and Stratton, 2000). Physical assessments may be used to establish whether factors such as changes in sport, equipment, a rehabilitation program, nutritional supplements or medication has affected muscle function. Most importantly for this study, physical assessments can be used to compare muscle groups when looking at their activity levels. Monitoring muscle activity levels is crucial to the assessment of their function, as it determines whether the muscle groups can be assessed in the same way via establishing if the amplitude of the EMG signals respond in the same way.

Surface EMG (sEMG) is a technique used to measure action potentials by placing electrodes on the skin between the myotendinous junction and closest innervation zone (De Luca, 1997). The data collected from sEMG can be used to identify the relationship between muscle force and EMG amplitude, which has been seldom researched over the past 60 years. Data produced in existing research have shown that different muscles may have a linear or a non-linear force-amplitude relationship, although it is unclear why.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyse the force-amplitude relationship of muscles around the elbow, knee and ankle to build upon and provide a greater range of more accurate results than what currently exists.

Research Questions

• Which muscles have a linear and which have a non-linear force-amplitude relationship?
• How does the force-amplitude relationship change as muscle tension increases? - are some regions linear?

Contact Information

E: christopher.lane@study.beds.ac.uk
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