Bilateral electromyographical analysis of the lower limbs during walking in normal adults

Electromyographic (EMG) data were collected simultaneously from multiple muscles of both legs. EMG signals were normalized using the mean signal obtained by applying the same hanging weight (isometric torque) to each muscle in a muscle pair. Comparative analyses between sides were carried out for individual subjects as well as for 10 subjects grouped by dominance (all dominant side data averaged and compared with averaged non-dominant side data). We concluded the following: (1) the assumption of symmetry is not valid for individual subjects, (2) there is some evidence to suggest that the plantar-flexor EMG is related to dominance, and (3) pooled subject data conceal bilateral differences in individual subjects.