Relationship between Isometric Muscle Force and Fractal Dimension of Surface Electromyogram

The relationship between fractal dimension of the surface electromyogram (sEMG) and the intensity of muscle contraction is still controversial in simulated and experimental conditions. To support the use of fractal analysis to investigate myoelectric fatigue, it is crucial to establish the interdepe...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Matteo Beretta-Piccoli, Gennaro Boccia, Tessa Ponti, Ron Clijsen, Marco Barbero, Corrado Cescon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2018-01-01
Series:BioMed Research International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/5373846
Description
Summary:The relationship between fractal dimension of the surface electromyogram (sEMG) and the intensity of muscle contraction is still controversial in simulated and experimental conditions. To support the use of fractal analysis to investigate myoelectric fatigue, it is crucial to establish the interdependence between fractal dimension and muscle contraction intensity. We analyzed the behavior of fractal dimension, conduction velocity, mean frequency, and average rectified value in twenty-eight volunteers at nine levels of isometric force. sEMG was obtained using bidimensional arrays in the biceps brachii muscle. The values of fractal dimension and mean frequency increased with force unless a plateau was reached at 30% maximal voluntary contraction. Overall, our findings suggest that, above a certain level of force, the use of fractal dimension to evaluate the myoelectric manifestations of fatigue may be considered, regardless of muscle contraction intensity.
ISSN:2314-6133
2314-6141