Selection of muscle groups for surface electromyography (sEMG) measurement in analyzing motorcycling activity

Abstract

While riding motorcycle have become a popular mode of transportation in most parts of the world, increase in motorcycle road accidents are very alarming. Many factors have been found to cause such motorcycle accidents and among others is motorcyclist fatigue. The aim of this study is to identify muscle groups that are related to motorcycling activity that may lead to motorcyclist muscle fatigue especially during prolonged riding. The groups of muscle recommended by this study were extracted from current literatures and studies, questionnaires and direct observation, and also a pilot surface electromyography (sEMG) experiment. Direct observation was made on motorcyclists’ hand and foot positioning during riding including their riding posture. Upon confirming the recommended muscle groups, a sEMG experiment was conducted using an established adjustable motorcycle test rig, the Postura MotergoTM. Several torso muscle groups were identified and recommended for analyzing motorcyclist muscle fatigue. However, lower extremity body muscle groups were not listed. This is due to no considerations were made by neither researchers nor being testified by participants answering the questionnaire.