Summation of unit potentials

The analysis of the compound surface EMG records is directed to obtain information on the activity of motor units. The aim of this study is to contribute to the investigation of the processes taking place in the summation of different unit potentials. The experiments were performed on frog's nerve-muscle preparations. The nerves were stimulated separately and collectively with synchronous and asynchronous electrical impulses. The results obtained by the analysis of the action potentials recorded from the muscles demonstrate that the compound action potentials were brought about by the linear summation of unit potentials involved in the common response.