Implementation of a Portable Electromyographic Prototype for the Detection of Muscle Fatigue

Sandra De La Peña,Aura Polo,Carlos Robles-Algarín

doi:10.3390/electronics8060619

Sandra De La Peña, Aura Polo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics8060619

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Journal: Electronics	Publication Date: Jun 1, 2019
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Magdalena

Abstract

Surface electromyography (sEMG) applied to the sports training area makes possible the observation of fatigue as well as the generation of muscular strength, through the study of changes in signal characteristics, such as peak-to-peak amplitude, mean frequency and median, among others. In this sense, this work presents the design of a portable prototype for the acquisition and processing of electromyographic (EMG) signals aimed at the detection of muscle fatigue in athletes. Using two Bluetooth Bee modules, a wireless communication was performed in order to send the muscular electrical activity of the skin surface to a user interface developed in LabVIEW. A group of players from the Volleyball team of the Universidad del Magdalena, performed a series of exercise routines with dynamic contractions and as they experienced fatigue, samples were taken of the contractions made. The tests were performed on the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles. The analysis of fatigue under dynamic conditions of the two parameters studied, in frequency and time, showed that it is more pertinent to estimate fatigue indices in the frequency domain.

Highlights

Electromyography is a method that evaluates, through non-invasive techniques, the overall behavior of the muscle fibers that make up the muscle [1]
The authors in [28] show that the amplitude of the EMG signal increases continuously as a a function of time for the case of player 7, which is an indicator of muscle fatigue
The authors in [28] show that the amplitude of the EMG signal increases continuously as a function of time for the case of player 7, which is an indicator of muscle fatigue

Summary

Introduction

Electromyography is a method that evaluates, through non-invasive techniques, the overall behavior of the muscle fibers that make up the muscle [1]. Electromyographic signals are those that are produced by a muscle during the process of contraction and relaxation. A variety of applications are available in different types of sports, through surface electromyography. In this context, muscle fatigue is defined as the variable reduction of the muscle to generate force, which is accompanied by certain transformations in the electromyogram [9,10]

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