Analysis of the effect on electrode placement on an adolescent's biceps brachii during muscle contractions using a wireless EMG sensor

Abstract

[Purpose] Electromyography (EMG) is a random signal recording process that fully depends on proper electrode placement on the active muscle. The present study investigated and analyzed the electrical (amplitude) responses from three different locations of an adolescent's biceps brachii muscle during four contractions (concentric, eccentric, isometric and isokinetic) using a wireless EMG sensor. [Subjects and Methods] One healthy male subject (age: 17 years, weight: 60 kg, height: 171 cm, BMI: 20.7, right arm biceps muscle) volunteered for the study. A Shimmer™ wireless EMG sensor (non-invasive technique) was used in this experiment and MVC% was set to 0% and 100% with a 6-kg load. Electrode placement locations on the biceps were, i) between the endplate region and distal tendon insertion ii) in the midst of the muscle belly, and iii) above the medial belly of both head parallel to muscle fibers (long and short head biceps tendon). Statistical analyses were performed to examine the significant differences among the three electrode placements were determined by ANOVA (analysis of variances). [Results] The muscle belly gave significantly higher EMG activity than the other two locations. The medial belly muscle (long and short head biceps tendon) gave a considerably higher signal than the lower part muscle (near the endplate and tendon region). [Conclusion] The overall outcomes demonstrate that, EMG signals varied among the three electrode placements of an adolescent biceps brachii muscle. Generated results will be useful for adolescent's biceps rehabilitation and any other physiological measurement that concern the upper arm muscles.