Methodology of electromyographic analysis of the trunk muscles during walking in healthy subjects: A literature review

Purpose: To review and discuss the literature about the use of trunk muscle electromyography - including the use of surface or fine-wire electrodes, site of application and muscle selection - during gait analysis in healthy subjects. Methods: The databases Pubmed, Web of Knowledge and Cochrane Library were searched. Articles were included when EMG activity of at least one trunk muscle was measured in healthy subjects during walking. Results: In the 33 selected articles 491 healthy subjects walked with different velocities on a treadmill and/or overground. The activity of the M. erector spinae, M. multifidus, M. obliquus externus and internus, M. rectus abdominus, M. trapezius, M. latissimus dorsi, M. transversus abdominus, M. iliopsoas and M. quadrates lumborum was measured. Twenty-nine studies used surface electrodes, one study fine-wire electrodes, and the other three studies used a combination. There is no consensus on the exact placement site of the electrodes. Conclusion: Surface electrodes were used more often than fine-wire electrodes and the descriptions of the electrode locations were mostly vague and not consistent among the different studies. There is need for further research to make specific recommendations about the type of electrodes in combination with the optimal locations of application of these electrodes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.