The effect of sprint and endurance training on electromyogram signal analysis by wavelets

The purpose of this study was to relate the spectral changes of surface electromyograms (EMGs) to training regimes. The EMGs of M. vastus medialis and M. vastus lateralis of 8 female sprint-trained and 7 female endurance-trained athletes (ST and ET athletes) were examined while performing isokinetic knee extension on a dynamometer under 4 different loading conditions (angular velocity and load). The EMG signals were wavelet transformed, and the corresponding spectra were classified using a spherical classification, support vector machines (SVMs) and mean frequencies (MFs). Consistent differences in the EMG spectra between the 2 groups were expected because of the difference in the muscle features resulting from the various training regimes. On average, the ST athletes showed a downshift in the EMG spectra compared with the ET athletes. The spectra of the ST and ET athletes were classifiable by spherical classification and SVM but not by the MF. Thus, the different shapes of the EMG spectra contained the information for the classification. The hypothesis that specific muscle differences caused by various training regimes are consistent and lead to systematic changes in surface EMG spectra was confirmed. With the availability of new apparels, ones with integrated EMG electrodes, a measurement of the EMG will be available to coaches more frequently in the near future. The classification of wavelet transformed EMGs will allow monitoring training-related spectral changes.