Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(08): 647-652
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1564174
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Electromyographic Responses from the Vastus Medialis during Isometric Muscle Actions

C. M. Smith
1   Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
T. J. Housh
1   Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
T. Herda
2   Health, Sport and Exercise Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, United States
,
J. M. Zuniga
3   Exercise Science, Creighton University, Omaha, United States
,
C. L. Camic
4   Exercise & Sport Science, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
,
H. C. Bergstrom
1   Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
D. B. Smith
5   Health and Human Performance, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, United States
,
J. P. Weir
2   Health, Sport and Exercise Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, United States
,
J. T. Cramer
6   Department of Nutrition & Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
E. C. Hill
7   Nutrition and Health Sciences, Ethan Hill, Lincoln, United States
,
K. C. Cochrane
1   Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
N. D. M. Jenkins
1   Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
R. J. Schmidt
1   Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
G. Johnson
1   Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 24 August 2015

Publication Date:
13 May 2016 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study examined the electromyographic (EMG) responses from the vastus medialis (VM) for electrodes placed over and away from the innervation zone (IZ) during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and sustained, submaximal isometric muscle action. A linear electrode array was placed on the VM to identify the IZ and muscle fiber pennation angle during an MVIC and sustained isometric muscle action at 50% MVIC. EMG amplitude and frequency parameters were determined from 7 bipolar channels of the electrode array, including over the IZ, as well as 10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm proximal and distal to the IZ. There were no differences between the channels for the patterns of responses for EMG amplitude or mean power frequency during the sustained, submaximal isometric muscle action; however, there were differences between channels during the MVIC. The results of the present study supported the need to standardize the placement of electrodes on the VM for the assessment of EMG amplitude and mean power frequency. Based on the current findings, it is recommended that electrode placements be distal to the IZ and aligned with the muscle fiber pennation angle during MVICs, as well as sustained, submaximal isometric muscle actions.

Key words

VM - innervation zone - MVIC - EMG - IZ - electrode placement
 

  • References

  • 1 Barbero M, Merletti R, Rainoldi A. Atlas of muscle innervation zones: understanding surface electromyography and its applications. Springer Science & Business Media; 2012
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Basmajian JV, De Luca C. Muscles alive: their functions revealed by electromyography. William & Wilkins. 1985; 278: 126
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Beck TW, Housh TJ, Cramer JT, Mielke M, Hendrix R. The influence of electrode shift over the innervation zone and normalization on the electromyographic amplitude and mean power frequency versus isometric torque relationships for the vastus medialis muscle. J Neurosci Methods 2008; 169: 100-108
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Brody LR, Pollock MT, Roy SH, De Luca CJ, Celli B. pH-induced effects on median frequency and conduction velocity of the myoelectric signal. J Appl Physiol 1991; 71: 1878-1885
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Chan AY, Lee FL, Wong PK, Wong CY, Yeung SS. Effects of knee joint angles and fatigue on the neuromuscular control of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis muscle in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 2001; 84: 36-41
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 DeFreitas JM, Costa PB, Ryan ED, Herda TJ, Cramer JT, Beck TW. An examination of innervation zone movement with increases in isometric torque production. Clin Neurophysiol 2008; 119: 2795-2799
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Farina D, Cescon C, Merletti R. Influence of anatomical, physical, and detection-system parameters on surface EMG. Biol Cybern 2002; 86: 445-456
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Fortune E, Lowery MM. The effect of extracellular potassium concentration on muscle fiber conduction velocity examined using model simulation. Conference proceedings: Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 2007; 2726-2729
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Gallina A, Merletti R, Gazzoni M. Innervation zone of the vastus medialis muscle: position and effect on surface EMG variables. Physiol Meas 2013; 34: 1411-1422
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Grabiner MD, Koh TJ, Miller GF. Fatigue rates of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis during static and dynamic knee extension. J Orthop Res 1991; 9: 391-397
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research: 2016 update. Int J Sports Med 2015; 36: 1121-1124
    Google Scholar
  • 12 Hedayatpour N, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D. Non-uniform electromyographic activity during fatigue and recovery of the vastus medialis and lateralis muscles. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology: J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2008; 18: 390-396
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology: J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2000; 10: 361-374
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Merletti R, Stegeman D, Blok J, Rau G, Disselhorst-Klug C, Hägg G. European recommendations for surface electromyography. Roessingh Res Develop 1999; 8: 13-54
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Hubbard JK, Sampson HW, Elledge JR. Prevalence and morphology of the vastus medialis oblique muscle in human cadavers. Anat Rec 1997; 249: 135-142
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Kollmitzer J, Ebenbichler GR, Kopf A. Reliability of surface electromyographic measurements. Clin Neurophysiol 1999; 110: 725-734
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Lindstrom L, Magnusson R, Petersen I. Muscular fatigue and action potential conduction velocity changes studied with frequency analysis of EMG signals. Electromyography 1970; 10: 341-356
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Manual EUs. EMG16 User Manual.16-channels surface electromyographic signal amplifier. LISiN Bioengineering Center Polytechnic of Turin, Department of Electronics Turin, Italy 2006
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Martini FH, Timmons MJ, Robert B Human Anatomy San Francisco, PA Pearson and Benjamin Cummings 2005
    PubMed
  • 20 Mathur S, Eng JJ, MacIntyre DL. Reliability of surface EMG during sustained contractions of the quadriceps. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2005; 15: 102-110
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Merletti R, Farina D, Gazzoni M. The linear electrode array: a useful tool with many applications. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2003; 13: 37-47
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Merletti R, Fiorito A, Lo Conte LR, Cisari C. Repeatability of electrically evoked EMG signals in the human vastus medialis muscle. Muscle Nerve 1998; 21: 184-193
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Merletti R, Knaflitz M, De Luca CJ. Myoelectric manifestations of fatigue in voluntary and electrically elicited contractions. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985) 1990; 69: 1810-1820
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Mesin L, Merletti R, Rainoldi A. Surface EMG: the issue of electrode location. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology: J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2009; 19: 719-726
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Nozic M, Mitchell J, de Klerk D. A comparison of the proximal and distal parts of the vastus medialis muscle. Aust J Physiother 1997; 43: 277-281
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Pedhazur E. Multiple Regression in Behavioral Research. USA: Thomson Learning Inc; 1982
    Google Scholar
  • 27 Peeler J, Cooper J, Porter MM, Thliveris JA, Anderson JE. Structural parameters of the vastus medialis muscle. Clin Anat 2005; 18: 281-289
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Rainoldi A, Bullock-Saxton JE, Cavarretta F, Hogan N. Repeatability of maximal voluntary force and of surface EMG variables during voluntary isometric contraction of quadriceps muscles in healthy subjects. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2001; 11: 425-438
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Rainoldi A, Melchiorri G, Caruso I. A method for positioning electrodes during surface EMG recordings in lower limb muscles. J Neurosci Methods 2004; 134: 37-43
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Rainoldi A, Nazzaro M, Merletti R, Farina D, Caruso I, Gaudenti S. Geometrical factors in surface EMG of the vastus medialis and lateralis muscles. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2000; 10: 327-336
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Silva CRd, Silva DdO, Ferrari D, Negrão Filho RdF, Alves N, Azevedo FMd. Exploratory study of electromyographic behavior of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis at neuromuscular fatigue onset. Motriz 2014; 20: 213-220
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Yeung SS, Au AL, Chow CC. Effects of fatigue on the temporal neuromuscular control of vastus medialis muscle in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 1999; 80: 379-385
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Zipp P. Recommendations for the standardization of lead positions in surface electromyography. Eur J Appl Physiol 1982; 50: 41-54
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar