Analysis of mechanomyogram signals for evaluation of muscle fatigue

Abstract

Muscle Fatigue is the reduction of force generating capacity during muscle contraction. Muscle fatigue is one of the risk factor for musculoskeletal problems, and as a risk factor; it needs to rating of muscle fatigue quantitatively in the field of ergonomics and physiology. However muscle fatigue is not a quantitative value. Therefore, researchers focus on several measurable parameters which can be used to analyze the muscle fatigue such as, pH, blood oxygen and lactate level. One of the signal which can be recorded for analyzing of muscle fatigue quantitatively is mechanomyography (MMG). The aim of this study is to analyze the muscle fatigue during isometric contractions using MMG. MMG signals were recorded from biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles of six (3 Female, 3 Male) voluntary subject. For feature extraction purposes, were computed root mean square (RMS) value in time domain, mean frequency (MNF) and median frequency (MDF) in frequency domain. The results showed that muscle fatigue can be evaluated from MMG signals.