Amplitude and spectral characteristics of biceps Brachii sEMG depend upon speed of isometric force generation

In the present study the influence of speed of contraction on the interplay between recruitment and firing rate of motor units (MUs) was assessed. The surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal was recorded in nine healthy subjects from the right biceps brachii using a linear electrode array during ramp isometric contractions (from 0 to 100% of the maximal voluntary force, MVC) at 5, 10, and 20% MVC s(-1) (ramp phase), followed by 10 s of sustained MVC (hold phase). The median frequency (MDF), Root Mean Square (RMS) and conduction velocity (CV) of sEMG, were computed on adjacent epochs covering a force range of 5% MVC each. Full motor unit recruitment (FMUR) point was assessed as the force level at which MDF reached its maximum value; the MDF decay during the hold phase was taken as an index of localized muscle fatigue. At 5% MVC s(-1), FMUR was reached at 52.3% MVC. At 10%MVC s(-1) FMUR was achieved at 58% MVC; while at 20% MVC s(-1) FMUR point was located at 77% MVC, being statistically different from 5 and 10% MVC s(-1) ramps (p<0.05). The MDF decay was steeper at higher speed. CV modifications mirrored those reported for MDF. The RMS increased in a curvilinear fashion and the maximum value was always attained during the hold phase. Our findings suggest that MU recruitment strategies are significantly related to the speed of contraction even in a single muscle. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.