sEMG Frequency Analysis to Evaluate Changes in the Recruitment of Fast-Twitch Muscles Fibers During Elbow Flexion Motions

Abstract

An important challenge of stroke rehabilitation consists on the application of efficient therapies during the initial stage of recovery. These strategies should focus on the activation of the local neural loop by reducing those parts of the movement inducing fatigue. Therefore, reducing the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers is an important point while choosing an appropriate therapy. This paper is focus on the evaluation of superficial electromyographic signals during supported and non-supported elbow flexion task to prove their differences in terms of fast-twitch muscle fiber recruitment. To do that, the median frequency extracted from different upper limb muscles of 21 healthy subjects is evaluated showing significant differences supporting authors’ hypothesis.