Theoretical analysis of surface EMG in voluntary isometric contraction

A new stochastic model of the surface EMG is suggested and the spectral density of the surface EMG is studied theoretically and experimentally to confirm the validity of this model. Theoretical results show that while the contraction level is not so high, the shape of the spectral density (distribution) does not change and its amplitude is directly proportional to the motor unit firing frequency and recruitment. To illustrate the theoretical results, experiments were carried out for rectus femoris and biceps brachii. The surface EMG was lead off by bipolar surface electrodes. And the spectral density of the surface EMG was calculated using FFT algorithm. From these experimental results, it was confirmed that our theoretical results were almost valid.