Wavelet analysis of the EMG signal to assess muscle fatigue in the lower extremities during symmetric movement on a rowing ergometer

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this publication is to propose a methodology to determine changes in fatigue in selected muscle groups of the lower extremity during dynamic and cyclical motion performed on a rowing ergometer. The study aims to use the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to analyze electromyographic signals (EMG) recorded during diagnostic assessment of muscle and peripheral nerve electrical activity (electroneurography) using an electromyography device (EMG). Methods The analysis involved implementing calculations such as mean frequency (MNF) and median frequency (MDF) using the reconstructed EMG signal through DWT. The study examined the efficacy of DWT analysis in assessing muscle fatigue after physical exertion. Results The study obtained a negative regression coefficient for DWT analysis in all muscles except for the right gastrocnemius (GAS). The results suggest that DWT analysis can be an effective tool for evaluating muscle fatigue after physical exertion. Conclusions The use of DWT in the analysis of EMG signals during rowing ergometer exercises has shown promising results in assessing muscle fatigue. However, additional investigations are necessary to confirm and expand these findings. This publication addresses the literature gap on the determination of muscle fatigue considering motion analysis on a rowing ergometer using the discrete wavelet transform. Previous studies have extensively compared and analyzed methods such as the Fourier transform (FFT), short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and wavelet transform (WT) for muscle fatigue analysis. However, no previous work has specifically examined the assessment of muscle fatigue by incorporating DWT analysis with motion analysis on a rowing ergometer.