Occurrence of a rhythmic slower wave in EMG prior to a rapid voluntary movement

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether an EMG slower wave prior to a rapid straightening-up movement is associated with motor preparation to perform the movement. The straightening movement was performed at 6 load intensities and under 3 conditions: without any external load; with an additional load; lifting a load. The subject could freely begin the rapid movement from a moderate forward-bending position whenever he was fully ready for the beginning of the movement after he held the bent posture. Bipolar surface EMGs of the erector spinal muscles at the L1 and L4 level, the gluteus maximus muscle and the semitendinosus muscle were led by a pair of skin electrodes with a time constant of 0.03 sec. The signal from the hip goniometer was measured simultaneously to identify the period of the movement. A distinct relationship between the occurrence of the slower wave and both load intensities and conditions was not found. However, the rhythmic slower wave often occurred in the muscles 200-450 msec before the movement. The occurrence of the wave in the muscles was often simultaneous. The signal from the hip goniometer did not change with the occurrence of the slower wave. The amplitude of the slower wave increased frequently. The present results suggest that the slower wave may reflect a significant change of motoneuronal activity in connection with motor preparation to perform the movement.