The Measurement of Sensitivity of Numerical Parameters in Quantification of Local Muscle Fatigue

Abstract

In order to find the most sensitive Electromyographic (EMG) parameter in quantification of local muscle fatigue (LMF), the first coefficient of Autoregression Model (ARC), Zero Crossing Rate (ZCR), Mean Power Frequency (MPF), Median Frequency (MF) have been analyzed and compared with each other in this study. Ten healthy male subjects participated in the experiment, and EMG signals were collected from the erector spinae muscle continuously for twenty seconds while subjects were isometrically extending their trunk. Various exertion levels such as 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75% of Maximal Voluntary Contraction (MVC) were also applied to the subjects. As results, ARC was found to be the most sensitive parameter at the level of 15% to 60% of MVC in terms of both slope and R2 value of regression model. On the other hand, MPF and ARC showed the highest R2 value at 60% and 75% level of MVC although MPF scored the lowest slope value at those levels. Moreover, MPF showed a superior performance to MF at 30% to 75% level of MVC.