The investigation of EMG signal for lower limb movement during solah (muslim prayer)

Abstract

Electromyography (EMG) signals at the lower limb muscles during static postures include pertaining to sujud, sujud and sitting in solah had been studied based on the sayings (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as the main references. Gastrocnemius and Tibialis Anterior were the chosen muscles in this study as both are the major muscles of the lower leg and have fulfilled the criteria in order to get the required data. A group of 20 subjects had participated in this study which is 10 male and 10 female subjects. The EMG data signal results were analyzed using MATLAB Software version r2009a and then were statistically analyzed using the ‘Paired Samples T-Test’ from SPSS version 16.0. The statistical results showed the variety of interesting new finding regarding the particular posture of solah. Male has been found to use their Gastrocnemius muscles more while female is using their Tibialis Anterior more during solah. The results also show that there is a correlation between the authentic hadiths and the postures in term of EMG activity. During pertaining to sujud posture, this study has shown that there is no significant different between preceding by hands or preceding by knees although Muslim scholars have different interpretation and opinion of the exact way to pertain to sujud according to various narrated hadiths. During sujud and sitting postures, the EMG level in term of the %MVC as a variable in this study has shown supportive results towards postures that were commanded in the hadiths and the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Thus, the EMG results from this study have apparently supported the authentic hadiths and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about the correct way to perform solah.