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Assessment of surface EMG biomarkers in sarcopenic motor dysfunction during postural stabilization
I Junquera-Godoy1, J L Martinez-De-Juan1, G González Lorente1
1Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Ci2B) Camino de Vera s/n Ed. 8B, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
Geroscience
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Surface electromyography (sEMG) signal features can detect neuromuscular decline in pre/sarcopenia. Specific sEMG metrics during the post-stabilization phase show promise as early biomarkers for motor control deficits in aging adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuromuscular Physiology
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related muscle loss, impacts balance and increases fall risk.
- Early detection of neuromuscular decline is crucial for timely intervention in aging populations.
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) offers a non-invasive method to assess muscle function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neuromuscular adaptations in pre/sarcopenic individuals during postural balance perturbations.
- To identify functional biomarkers of early motor decline using sEMG signal features.
- To compare sEMG characteristics between pre/sarcopenic older adults and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight older adults (14 pre/sarcopenic, 14 controls) underwent forward balance perturbations.
- sEMG signals were recorded from lower limb muscles during standing.
- Analysis focused on five postural epochs and six sEMG features (amplitude, frequency, shape, complexity).
Main Results:
- The post-stabilization epoch (350-2350 ms post-perturbation) showed significant group differences.
- Pre/sarcopenic individuals exhibited lower sEMG amplitude and complexity.
- Altered sEMG signal shape in pre/sarcopenic group indicated increased motor unit synchronization.
Conclusions:
- Specific sEMG features, especially signal shape and complexity, are potential non-invasive biomarkers for sarcopenia-related neuromuscular decline.
- The post-stabilization epoch is a sensitive period for detecting motor control deficits.
- Perturbation-based sEMG analysis aids early detection and management of aging-related motor impairments.
