A computer simulation study on the influence of motor unit regionalization on the generation of surface myoelectric signals

Resumo

The present study aims to analyze the influence of motor unit regionalization within the muscle cross-sectional area on time- and frequency-domain properties of surface myoelectric EMG signal. Computer simulations were performed using a phenomenological model of the neuromuscular system. Different contraction intensities were simulated, and the RMS and median frequency of the EMG were calculated for different muscle cross-sectional area morphologies. The level of MU regionalization was adjusted in the model. Results showed that experimental force-EMG relations could be appropriately simulated by the model, irrespective of the muscle cross-sectional area morphology and the level of MU regionalization. However, the best fit between simulation and experimental data is influenced by the level of MU regionalization.