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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans

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Do surface electrodes validly represent lower trapezius activation patterns during shoulder tasks?

Karen A Ginn¹, Ann Cools², Mark Halaki³

¹Discipline of Anatomy & Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Australia.

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology

|May 30, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Surface electromyography is a valid method for recording lower trapezius muscle activity. This study found no significant differences compared to intramuscular electrodes, supporting its common use in research and clinical practice.

Keywords:

Electromyography Intramuscular Lower trapezius Shoulder Surface

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Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Neuroscience
Kinesiology

Background:

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is commonly used for lower trapezius activity due to its superficial location.
Concerns exist regarding sEMG validity for other superficial shoulder muscles, prompting investigation into the lower trapezius.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the validity of using surface electrodes for recording lower trapezius muscle activity.
To compare sEMG recordings with intramuscular electromyography (iEMG) in the lower trapezius.

Main Methods:

Ten asymptomatic subjects performed isometric and dynamic shoulder tasks.
Intramuscular electrodes were inserted into the lower trapezius and rhomboid major muscles.
Surface electrodes were placed over the lower trapezius, co-located with intramuscular electrodes.

Main Results:

No significant differences were found in lower trapezius activity levels between surface and intramuscular electrodes (p = 0.98).
High similarity in activation patterns was observed between both electrode types (Pearson's r ≥ 0.74).
Crosstalk contamination in sEMG signals minimally influenced lower trapezius activity recordings.

Conclusions:

Surface electromyography is a valid and reliable method for assessing lower trapezius muscle activity.
The findings support the continued common practice of using sEMG to investigate lower trapezius function.
Potential crosstalk does not significantly compromise the validity of sEMG for this muscle.