Surface Electromyography signal processing and application: a review

Abstract

Electromyography (EMG) is a study of muscles function through analysis of electrical activity produced from muscles. This electrical activity which is displayed in form of signal is the result of neuromuscular activation associated with muscle contraction. The most common techniques of EMG signal recording are by using surface and needle/wire electrode where the latter is usually used for interest in deep muscle. This paper will focus on surface electromyography (SEMG) signal. During SEMG recording, several problems had to be encountered such as noise, motion artifact and signal instability. Thus, various signal processing techniques had been implemented to produce a reliable signal for analysis. There are also broad applications of SEMG signal particularly in biomedical field. The SEMG signal had been analyzed and studied for various interests such as neuromuscular disease, enhancement of muscular function and human-computer interface.