Influence of type of MVC test on electromyography measures of biceps brachii and triceps brachii

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the amplitude and frequency measures of the electromyography (EMG) signal in agonistic and antagonistic muscles (biceps brachii, triceps brachii). Methods. Fifteen males (22.9 ± 2.1 years old) took three isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) tests. Two tests were typical MVC tests for biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The third was a test often used to obtain MVC for forearm muscles (arm and forearm hanging down). The EMG signal was recorded during three isometric MVC muscle contractions and during a relaxation test. Results. There were no differences in amplitude between relaxation and MVC antagonist in static contraction, with higher values for frequency measures in relaxation. When biceps brachii and triceps brachii act as antagonists in an MVC test, frequency measures present lower values than when the muscles act as agonists. Biceps brachii shows much lower amplitude than during an agonist MVC contraction with similar spectral measures. Triceps brachii presents much higher values of spectral measures than during an agonist MVC test. Conclusion. The type of exerted force, i.e., if a muscle acted as an agonist, antagonist or stabilizer, affects the relationship between the time and frequency domain measures.