Article
Sport Sciences
Jakob Skarabot, Jonathan P. Folland, Jules Forsyth, Apostolos Vazoukis, Ales Holobar, Alessandro Del Vecchio
Summary: This study examined the motor unit (MU) discharge properties and MU conduction velocity in long-term resistance-trained (RT) and untrained (UT) men. The results showed that both groups had similar MU discharge characteristics during maximal and submaximal contractions, while the RT group had higher MU conduction velocity, which may explain the strength difference between the two groups.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Larry Y. Cheng, Tiffanie Che, Goran Tomic, Marc W. Slutzky, Ken A. Paller
Summary: Memory reactivation during sleep contributes to faster and more efficient learning of action execution, as demonstrated in this study. This finding suggests that sleep plays a role in supporting the learning of novel actions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Kylie K. Harmon, Adam S. Hamilton, Brent D. Johnson, Frank J. Bartek, Ryan M. Girts, Rob J. MacLennan, Debbie L. Hahs-Vaughn, Matt S. Stock
Summary: The study compared the motor unit action potential (MUAP) amplitude at different torque levels and in fatigue conditions. Results showed that MUAP amplitude during a 30% MVC fatiguing protocol was comparable to that during a non-fatigued 80% MVC condition.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Isabella Campanini, Andrea Merlo, Catherine Disselhorst-Klug, Luca Mesin, Silvia Muceli, Roberto Merletti
Summary: Surface electromyography (sEMG) has been extensively researched, but its clinical applications are limited. This study provides teaching tools using analogies and simulations, such as physical and mathematical models, to explain sEMG detection with electrode pairs and grids. The study summarizes the basic mechanisms of sEMG generation and illustrates the features of the sensing system through examples. It also discusses the various applications of sEMG in different fields.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kostiantyn Maksymenko, Alexander Kenneth Clarke, Irene Mendez Guerra, Samuel Deslauriers-Gauthier, Dario Farina
Summary: Muscle electrophysiology is a promising tool for human-machine interfaces in medicine and beyond clinical domains. In this study, the authors propose a model to simulate electric signals during human movements and use the data to train deep learning algorithms. Muscle electrophysiology has proven to be a powerful tool for driving human-machine interfaces, with applications in robotics and virtual reality. However, more sophisticated decoding algorithms are needed to meet the requirements of fine control in these applications. The concept of Myoelectric Digital Twin is introduced as a highly realistic and fast computational model for training deep learning algorithms, enabling simulation of large and perfectly annotated datasets of realistic electromyography signals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Milos Kalc, Jakob Skarabot, Matjaz Divjak, Filip Urh, Matej Kramberger, Matjaz Vogrin, Ales Holobar
Summary: We developed and tested a methodology for identifying individual motor unit (MU) firings from surface high-density EMG recorded Hoffman reflex (H-reflex). Synthetic HD-EMG signals were constructed to simulate different levels of muscle contractions and H-reflexes, while experimental H-reflexes were recorded from 12 men using HD-EMG arrays. The Convolution Kernel Compensation method was used to estimate MU filters, which accurately identified MU firings and latencies in both synthetic and experimental signals.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xinhui Li, Xu Zhang, Xiao Tang, Maoqi Chen, Xiang Chen, Xun Chen, Aiping Liu
Summary: The study introduces a novel deep learning method combined with a physiological twitch force model to predict muscle force from individual motor unit activities. Experimental results demonstrate the high accuracy and effectiveness of this method in muscle force estimation.
BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Maxime Bourges, Ganesh R. Naik, Luca Mesin
Summary: This study investigates a novel real-time pre-processing method called deconvolution for movement identification in single differential surface electromyogram. The results show that using deconvolution signals improves classification performance statistically. The findings suggest the potential usefulness of deconvolution pre-processing.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Luca Mesin
Summary: The paper proposes a new method to extract information on the control of motor units (MU) in the case of a single differential channel. Testing on three simulators shows that the performance of the proposed method is highly accurate, especially for models with different innervation zones.
Article
Neurosciences
Erika Renda, Chen Yang, Julie N. Cote
Summary: This study found that fatigue at different locations has different effects on joint angles, angular variability, and coordination variability. Men and women compensate differently during a repetitive pointing task when their elbows, shoulders, and trunks are locally fatigued, which could have implications for sex-specific workplace injury risks.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Dawid Lochynski, Maciej Pawlak, Inge Everaert, Tomasz Podgorski, Magdalena Gartych, Anna-Maria Borucka, Jan Celichowski, Wim Derave, Dominik Kaczmarek
Summary: The study found that long-term carnosine supplementation can maintain the force of FF muscle units at a higher level during rapid decline and result in less rapid force decline in both FF and FR muscle units. Carnosine supplementation did not change muscle antioxidant potential, mortality rate, or muscle mass with aging.
Article
Biology
Jose Priego-Quesada, Marcio F. Goethel, Klaus Magno Becker, Ricardo J. Fernandes, Joao Paulo Vilas-Boas
Summary: This tutorial paper describes the methodology and examples of surface electromyography decomposition to teach the concept of motor unit recruitment. This technique can facilitate the introduction of theoretical content in practical classes for physiology and biomechanics academics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonio Sarmento, Guilherme Fregonezi, Maria Lira, Layana Marques, Francesca Pennati, Vanessa Resqueti, Andrea Aliverti
Summary: In this study, simultaneous non-invasive measurements of pressure, volume, and ribcage inspiratory muscle activity were conducted to investigate the effects of muscle fatigue. It was found that during fatigue, sternocleidomastoid exhibited the fastest decrease in median frequency and the slowest decrease in H/L ratio. Recovery was characterized by changes in mechanical power, shortening velocity, and relaxation rates of inspiratory ribcage muscles, with different time courses observed for different inspiratory muscles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Guo WeiChao, Wang Mian, Sheng XinJun, Zhu XiangYang
Summary: A semi-supervised HMI based on MU-muscle matching (MMM) was proposed to recognize individual finger motions and even untrained combined multi-finger actions. Automatic channel selection helped determine the optimal spatial positions to monitor the MU activation of finger muscles. Experimental results showed that the proposed method accurately identified single finger motions and even untrained combined multi-finger actions.
SCIENCE CHINA-TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mateus Andre Favretto, Felipe Rettore Andreis, Sandra Cossul, Francesco Negro, Anderson Souza Oliveira, Jefferson Luiz Brum Marques
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine whether HD-sEMG is sensitive to detecting changes in motor unit behavior in healthy adults and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with different levels of DPN. The results support the use of HD-SEMG as a method to detect peripheral and central changes related to DPN.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Taian Martins Vieira, Alberto Botter
Summary: When sampling EMGs with one pair of electrodes, it is not sufficient to assume that the detected signal reflects the net muscle excitation. Multiple EMG detections and consideration of electrode-fiber alignment are necessary for accurate assessment of muscle excitation. It is advisable to exercise caution when drawing inferences from individually collected EMGs.
EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCES REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
G. L. Cerone, A. Giangrande, M. Ghislieri, M. Gazzoni, H. Piitulainen, A. Botter
Summary: This study describes the design and validation of a new fully wireless body sensor network for the integrated acquisition of EEG and HD-sEMG signals. The proposed device represents an advancement in technology and allows for the study of sensorimotor integration. The system was characterized in terms of synchronization accuracy and signal quality, and compared to a wired benchmark device.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marco Alessandro Minetto, Maria Giulia Ballatore, Alberto Botter, Chiara Busso, Angelo Pietrobelli, Anita Tabacco
Summary: The present study aimed to investigate age-related changes in total body skeletal muscle mass (TBSMM) and lean mass asymmetry in a large sample of adults. The findings revealed a gradual decline in TBSMM with age and a higher level of muscle mass asymmetry in males and lower limbs. These findings have clinical significance for assessing muscle quantity and distribution.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Kevin E. Power, Evan J. Lockyer, Alberto Botter, Taian Vieira, Duane C. Button
Summary: This article discusses the changes in electrical properties of spinal motoneurons under chronic and acute conditions and their potential impact on locomotor output. It also explores the feasibility of using high-density surface electromyogram recordings to indirectly study motoneuron excitability.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alba Thio-Pera, Matteo De Carlo, Andrea Manzoni, Fabrizio D'Elia, Giacinto Luigi Cerone, Giovanni Putame, Mara Terzini, Marco Gazzoni, Cristina Bignardi, Taian Vieira
Summary: This study used electromyograms to assess muscle activation in professional pianists and found spatial consistency of excitation in specific forearm regions during different piano playing tasks. These findings could contribute to our understanding of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders and provide a reference for studying muscle loading in piano players.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Carbonaro, Kristen M. Meiburger, Silvia Seoni, Emma F. Hodson-Tole, Taian Vieira, Alberto Botter
Summary: This study proposes a method to assess the electrical and physical properties of single motor units (MUs) by combining high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) and ultrafast ultrasonography (US). The method was tested and the results showed the feasibility of identifying MU displacement areas and the correlation between action potential distribution and displacement area. This approach has the potential to non-invasively assess the properties of single MUs in voluntary contractions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Paride Cavallone, Taian Vieira, Giuseppe Quaglia, Marco Gazzoni
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of the Handwheelchair.Q, a pulley-cable mechanism, on muscle activation compared to the conventional pushrim system. It was found that the two propulsion systems resulted in opposite patterns of muscle activation. The Handwheelchair.Q achieved a significantly greater average displacement and did not overload the shoulder muscles.
MEDICAL ENGINEERING & PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Eduardo Martinez-Valdes, Francesco Negro, Alberto Botter, Patricio A. Pincheira, Giacinto Luigi Cerone, Deborah Falla, Glen A. Lichtwark, Andrew G. Cresswell
Summary: The integration of electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound imaging has provided important insights into muscle activation and contraction mechanisms. This study demonstrates the relationship between tibialis anterior muscle (TA) motor unit discharge, fascicle length, and dorsiflexion torque using ultrasound-transparent high-density EMG electrodes. The findings highlight the interplay between neural drive, muscle contraction, and torque during sustained isometric contractions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Fabio dos Anjos, Talita P. Pinto, Giacinto L. Cerone, Marco Gazzoni, Taian M. Vieira
Summary: This study investigates the effects of EMG biofeedback on postural muscle activity. The results suggest that using EMG audio feedback can reduce calf muscle activity but may result in increased activity in other muscles.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
F. Dos Anjos, G. Boccia, P. R. Brustio, A. Rainoldi, M. Gazzoni
Summary: This study addresses the issue of finding an optimal bipolar positioning for selective activation of the lower trapezius during pulling exercises using high-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG).
PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Mehdi Shirzadi, Hamid Reza Marateb, Monica Rojas-Martinez, Marjan Mansourian, Alberto Botter, Fabio Vieira dos Anjos, Taian Martins Vieira, Miguel Angel Mananas
Summary: This article introduces a new real-time convex and interpretable model for solving the sEMG-force estimation problem and validates its applications on upper and lower limb. The performance of the proposed method is statistically compared with 13 other methods, including linear-in-the-parameter models, Artificial Neural Networks, and Supported Vector Machines. The results show that the proposed method outperforms other methods and has no significant difference compared to the recorded force signal.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Talita P. P. Pinto, Andrea Turolla, Marco Gazzoni, Michela Agostini, Taian M. M. Vieira
Summary: Degeneration of lower motoneurons is commonly found in stroke survivors, however, surviving motoneurons may innervate denervated muscle fibers as compensation. In this study, we used electrical stimulation and surface electromyography to examine the variations in M wave amplitudes in paretic muscles compared to non-paretic muscles after stroke. The results showed significantly greater increments in paretic muscles, indicating collateral reinnervation and enlargement of motor units. This non-invasive analysis may be useful for monitoring disease progression and clinical outcomes in stroke survivors.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Robin Rohlen, Marco Carbonaro, Giacinto L. Cerone, Kristen M. Meiburger, Alberto Botter, Christer Gronlund
Summary: This study examined the repeatability of ultrasound images in distinguishing muscle motor units (MUs) from noise in low-force isometric contractions. It was found that the repeatable components accounted for about one-third of the MUs and can be used for data reduction.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Taian M. Vieira, Giacinto Luigi Cerone, Alberto Botter, Kohei Watanabe, Andrew D. Vigotsky
Summary: The value of surface electromyograms lies in their potential to non-invasively probe the neuromuscular system. This study provides evidence that the inter-electrode distance imposes a biophysical constraint on the sensitivity of bipolar EMGs for muscle excitation. The results suggest that excessively reducing the inter-electrode distance limits the physiological content of EMGs and hampers validity.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2023)