Declan Price , Karen A. Ginn , Mark Halaki , Victor Kwasi , Darren Reed
{"title":"The validity of surface electrodes to record latissimus dorsi activity during submaximal trunk movement and stability tasks","authors":"Declan Price , Karen A. Ginn , Mark Halaki , Victor Kwasi , Darren Reed","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The latissimus dorsi, a large superficial muscle connecting the pelvis, trunk and humerus, has the potential to contribute to trunk movement and stability. Surface electrodes are most typically used to record latissimus dorsi muscle activity during trunk tasks. However, there is the risk of crosstalk from nearby muscles, potentially leading to inaccurate muscle activity estimations. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the validity of using surface electrodes to record latissimus dorsi activity levels during submaximal trunk tasks by comparing the readings to indwelling electrodes simultaneously recorded at the same location.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Thirteen asymptomatic participants had indwelling electrodes inserted below the inferior angle of the scapula and surface electrodes placed over the same location. The participants completed submaximal trunk movements and stability tasks in various positions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were no significant differences in latissimus dorsi activity recorded between surface and indwelling electrodes in all submaximal trunk movement tasks. However, during the trunk stability tasks the surface electrodes recorded significantly higher activity than the indwelling electrodes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Surface electrodes are recommended as a valid option to record latissimus dorsi activity during submaximal trunk movement tasks. For tasks that challenge trunk stability, indwelling electrodes are recommended to avoid crosstalk from underlying muscles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 103013"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143946575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tom Donnelly , Nathan Routledge , Elena Seminati , Benjamin Metcalfe
{"title":"A method for locating surface electromyography electrodes on the flexor carpi ulnaris","authors":"Tom Donnelly , Nathan Routledge , Elena Seminati , Benjamin Metcalfe","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), a superficial forearm muscle which provides wrist flexion and ulnar deviation, is used in surface electromyography (sEMG) applications for clinical assessments, rehabilitation, and human-machine interfaces. Proper electrode location on the forearm muscles is imperative due to small signal amplitudes and susceptibility to interference and crosstalk, where poor placement can give ambiguous or erroneous results. Currently, no formal method exists for locating sEMG electrodes over the FCU muscle. General advice is to palpate and observe muscle movements, however, this depends on the practitioner’s experience-level, so can be subjective and inconsistent.</div><div>This paper presents a systematic method for locating sEMG electrodes on the FCU muscle using palpation of the pisiform bone and humeral medial epicondyle, and establishing the muscle line between. The technique’s efficacy was assessed using sEMG from three sites on the muscle belly, testing both arms of 10 participants, and analysing the resulting SNR, mean absolute value (MAV), and frequency spectrum. An electrode location at 80% of the distance from the pisiform is recommended to provide the highest median SNR and MAV across participants. These results provide guidance for locating a suitable and consistent sEMG site on the FCU that is less reliant on practitioner experience, which may benefit both clinical and biomedical engineering applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103010"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tim Brümmer , Hongyu Lu , Haodi Yang , Lukas Baier , Christoph Braun , Markus Siegel , Justus Marquetand
{"title":"Training adaptations in magnetomyography","authors":"Tim Brümmer , Hongyu Lu , Haodi Yang , Lukas Baier , Christoph Braun , Markus Siegel , Justus Marquetand","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Muscle strength training leads to neuromuscular adaptations that can be monitored by electromyography (EMG). In view of new technical possibilities to measure the neuromuscular system via contactless magnetomyography (MMG) using miniaturized quantum sensors (optically pumped magnetometer, OPM), the question arises whether MMG detects similar neuromuscular adaptations compared to EMG. Therefore, we developed an experimental design and a multimodal setup for the simultaneous measurement of EMG, triaxial OPM-MMG, and vigorimetry. As a proof of concept, right biceps brachii muscle activity was recorded during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and a 40 % MVC muscle fatigue paradigm over 3 min in 12 healthy, untrained subjects. Measurements were taken before and after a 30-day strength training program, with six subjects undergoing training and six serving as controls. EMG and MMG showed a similar increase in RMS during MVC and fatigue after training (r > 0.9). However, the MMG increase varied by vector component, with the magnetic flux signal along the muscle fibers showing the highest RMS increase. Furthermore, these MMG findings can be visualized three-dimensionally using one OPM, which is not possible with bipolar EMG. This is the first longitudinal MMG study to demonstrate the feasibility of monitoring strength training-induced adaptations over 4 weeks, which highlights the opportunities and challenges of OPM-MMG for contactless neuromuscular monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103012"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143923622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Patrick Vallance , Ummatul Siddique , Ash Frazer , Peter Malliaras , Bill Vicenzino , Dawson J. Kidgell
{"title":"Transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation techniques used to measure the excitability of distinct neuronal populations that influence motor output in people with persistent musculoskeletal conditions: A scoping review and narrative synthesis of evidence","authors":"Patrick Vallance , Ummatul Siddique , Ash Frazer , Peter Malliaras , Bill Vicenzino , Dawson J. Kidgell","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Functional impairments are evident in persistent musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, and linked to altered excitability of neuronal elements contributing to motor output. In MSK conditions, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or electrical stimulation (ES) techniques have been used to investigate intracortical, corticospinal, spinal and neuromuscular excitability, which influence the efficacy of descending volley transmission to produce movement. This review compiled studies using TMS or ES to investigate neuronal excitability in persistent MSK conditions, to identify techniques used, and to synthesis evidence for neural deficits. We used narrative synthesis to summarise individual study findings. We included 60 studies; 52/60 used at least one TMS technique, and more frequently measured corticospinal tract excitability (48/52). 15/60 studies used at least one ES technique, and more frequently measured neuromuscular excitability (15/15). In tendinopathy, excitability was assessed for a range of distinct neurones; no study measured neuromuscular excitability in low back pain, osteoarthritis or shoulder pain, nor spinal or intracortical excitability in shoulder pain. This review identified a range of TMS and ES techniques used to assess excitability of neural elements. It provides insight for specific deficits contributing to functional impairments in certain persistent MSK conditions, while highlighting evidence gaps hindering the ability to draw meaningful inferences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103011"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143873349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Megan Trotman , Phuong L. Ha , Kylie Tucker , Thomas Cattagni , Anna L. Hatton
{"title":"The effects of plantar surface stimulation on neuromuscular responses during standing balance and gait in healthy and clinical populations: A systematic review","authors":"Megan Trotman , Phuong L. Ha , Kylie Tucker , Thomas Cattagni , Anna L. Hatton","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enhanced sensory input applied to the plantar surface of the feet, through innovative sensory-stimulating footwear devices, has the potential to improve standing balance and gait. However, the underlying mechanisms by which sensory-stimulating footwear devices bring about their effects on balance and gait remain unclear: changes in neuromuscular control are one possible option. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the effects of enhanced plantar surface stimulation, via footwear, shoe inserts, or floor surfaces, on neuromuscular responses during standing balance and walking gait in healthy and clinical populations. Four databases were selected to identify studies of plantar stimulation devices designed to alter neuromuscular responses during balance or gait. 2773 articles were screened for eligibility based on title and abstract. Thereafter, 37 articles underwent full text review, of which 17 articles were included in the review. The evidence that enhanced plantar sensory stimulation alters muscle activity during standing balance is limited, and during gait is moderate. The effects of sensory-stimulating footwear devices also appear to be dependent on factors such as the target population, the location of the sensory stimuli under the foot, or the complexity of the postural or walking task.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103007"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143792035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mirjam Thielen , Anna Pennekamp , Julia Janine Glaser , Leila Harhaus-Wähner , Ulrich Kneser , Paul Alfred Grützner , Ursula Trinler
{"title":"An objective method to quantify elbow flexor spasticity using surface EMG and 3D motion analysis","authors":"Mirjam Thielen , Anna Pennekamp , Julia Janine Glaser , Leila Harhaus-Wähner , Ulrich Kneser , Paul Alfred Grützner , Ursula Trinler","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spasticity in the upper extremities, particularly elbow flexor spasticity, significantly impairs motor control. Evaluating the extent of spasticity is crucial for effective therapy planning and assessing treatment outcomes. However, there are currently no accurate and reliable measures to quantify upper extremity spasticity. This study aims to introduce an instrumented assessment method for evaluating elbow flexor spasticity using an integrated approach tailored for spasticity assessment. This clinical study included 17 patients with elbow flexor spasticity (mean age 40 ± 20 years) and 20 arms of 10 healthy adults (mean age 33 ± 8 years). The elbow flexors were passively stretched at low and high velocities, and kinematic data were recorded using 3D motion analysis (U.L.E.M.A. model). Muscle excitations of the biceps brachii were assessed via surface EMG. Outcome parameters included the maximum elbow extension deficit during slow and fast passive stretch, EMG data normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) at low and high velocities, and the difference between the two (EMGchange). All outcome parameters showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between patients with elbow flexor spasticity and healthy adults. The proposed instrumented assessment tool is a suitable measurement method for evaluating elbow flexor spasticity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103004"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdulmajeed Alfayyadh , Kelsey Neal , Jack R. Williams , Ashutosh Khandha , Kurt Manal , Lynn Snyder-Mackler , Thomas S. Buchanan
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Limb and sex-related differences in knee muscle co-contraction exist 3 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction” [J. Electromyogr. and Kines. 66 (2022) 102693]","authors":"Abdulmajeed Alfayyadh , Kelsey Neal , Jack R. Williams , Ashutosh Khandha , Kurt Manal , Lynn Snyder-Mackler , Thomas S. Buchanan","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103002"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143724446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wenjie Chen, Shenke Zhang, Xiantao Sun, Cheng Zhang, Yuanyuan Liu
{"title":"MVMD-TCCA: A method for gesture classification based on surface electromyographic signals","authors":"Wenjie Chen, Shenke Zhang, Xiantao Sun, Cheng Zhang, Yuanyuan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gesture recognition plays a fundamental role in enabling nonverbal communication and interaction, as well as assisting individuals with motor impairments in performing daily tasks. Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals, which can effectively detect and predict motor intentions, are integral to achieving accurate gesture classification. This paper proposes a method, the multivariate variational mode decomposition and the two-channel convolutional neural network with added attention mechanism (MVMD-TCCA), to enhance the accuracy of gesture classification for motor intention recognition. The MVMD technique is utilized to decompose and fuse sEMG signals, enriching signal content and improving feature representation. To further optimize gesture classification performance, the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) and CrissCross attention mechanism are integrated into the neural network, enabling superior learning of local and spatial features. The experimental results show that the MVMD-TCCA method achieves an average classification accuracy of 85.09 % on the NinaPro DB2 dataset, representing a 13.46 % improvement compared to the use of the original signal, and an average classification accuracy of 97.90 % on the dataset collected from 15 subjects, reflecting a 1.70 % improvement over the original signal. These findings underscore the critical role of accurate gesture classification in facilitating daily task assistance for cerebral infarction patients, demonstrating the potential of the proposed approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103006"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does the rate of hip abductor and adductor muscle activation during weight transfer influence voluntary lateral stepping in chronic stroke?","authors":"Shabnam Lateef, Marcel Bahia Lanza, Vicki L. Gray","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>People with chronic stroke (PwCS) suffer from impaired lateral weight transfer, resulting in a loss of balance. The primary purpose of this study was to examine how stroke impairs the rate of hip abductor-adductor muscle activation during weight transfer compared to controls, and whether this influences subsequent stepping performance. The secondary purpose was to determine how stroke affects bilateral coordinated hip abductor-adductor muscle activity between the step and stance legs. 20 PwCS (61.6 ± 7.4 years, 4F/16 M) and 10 healthy controls (64.8 ± 8.9 years, 5F/5M) were included. Participants took a voluntary lateral step, as quickly as possible, in response to a light cue. Bilateral Adductor Longus (ADD) and Gluteus Medius (GM) rate of muscle activation (RoA) were measured using electromyography, and spatiotemporal step characteristics were measured using motion capture. Paretic (<em>p</em> < 0.01) and non-paretic (<em>p</em> < 0.01) stance and step legs had a reduced GM and ADD RoA during weight transfer compared to controls. Reduced stance and step GM and ADD RoA were associated with longer weight transfer and step initiation times (r<sub>s</sub> = − 0.47 to – 0.63, <em>p</em> < 0.001). PwCS had a lack of bilateral coordinated GM and ADD activity (<em>p</em> > 0.05). Post-stroke reductions in GM and ADD RoA contribute to altered step characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103003"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143759585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Beste Yilmaz, Umut Ozsoy, Yilmaz Yildirim, Ege Alkan
{"title":"Depth sensor technology in facial movement analysis: A comparative evaluation with marker-based motion analysis","authors":"Beste Yilmaz, Umut Ozsoy, Yilmaz Yildirim, Ege Alkan","doi":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study evaluates the reliability and agreement of depth sensor technology compared to marker-based motion analysis for facial movement assessment. Depth sensors, such as the Kinect-V2, offer a non-invasive alternative, but their accuracy in facial kinematics remains uncertain.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>100 healthy participants (50 male, 50 female) performed six facial movements— opening −mouth, smiling, eyebrow-lifting, forced-eye-closure, whistling, and frowning. These were recorded simultaneously using a marker-based motion system and a Kinect-V2 depth sensor. Data were analyzed for asymmetry, intra-method reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and agreement via Bland-Altman analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Bland-Altman analysis showed mean biases for facial movements: opening-mouth (−0.99), smiling (2.7), eyebrow-lifting (−1.85), forced-eye-closure (−1.77), whistling (11.59), and frowning (20.82). Mean asymmetry values using the marker-based system vs. depth sensor: smiling (8.16%vs.4.22%), eyebrow-lifting (7.32%vs.6.88%), eye-closure (8.42%vs.5.39%), and frowning (11.50vs.13.86%). ICC values ranged from 0.41 (forced-eye-closure) to 0.80 (eyebrow lifting) for the marker-based system and 0.61 (forced-eye-closure) to 0.85 (mouth opening) for the depth sensor.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>While depth sensors show strong intra-method reliability, they demonstrate biases and broader limits of agreement for subtle expressions. Further algorithmic improvements are needed for clinical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56123,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 103005"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143759586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}