Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 1-13 , February 2007

Does the frequency content of the surface mechanomyographic signal reflect motor unit firing rates? A brief review

  • Travis W. Beck

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 104K Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, United States
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 402 472 2690; fax: +1 402 472 0522.
  • ,
  • Terry J. Housh

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 104K Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, United States
  • ,
  • Glen O. Johnson

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 104K Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, United States
  • ,
  • Joel T. Cramer

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, United States
  • ,
  • Joseph P. Weir

      Affiliations

    • Applied Physiology Laboratory, Division of Physical Therapy, Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center, Des Moines, IA 50312, United States
  • ,
  • Jared W. Coburn

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 104K Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, United States
  • ,
  • Moh H. Malek

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 104K Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0806, United States

Received 22 August 2005 ,Revised 8 December 2005 ,Accepted 18 December 2005.

References 

  1. Akataki K, Mita K, Watakabe M, Itoh K. Mechanomyogram and force relationship during voluntary isometric ramp contractions of the biceps brachii muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;84:19–25
  2. Akataki K, Mita K, Watakabe M, Ito K. Age-related change in motor unit activation strategy in force production: a mechanomyographic investigation. Muscle Nerve. 2002;25:505–512
  3. Akataki K, Mita K, Watakabe M, Itoh K. Mechanomyographic responses during voluntary ramp contractions of the human first dorsal interosseous muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;89:520–525
  4. Barry DT. Acoustic signals from frog skeletal muscle. Biophys J. 1987;51:769–773
  5. Barry DT, Cole NM. Muscle sounds are emitted at the resonant frequencies of skeletal muscle. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1990;37:525–531
  6. Barry DT, Geiringer SR, Ball RD. Acoustic myography: a noninvasive monitor of motor unit fatigue. Muscle Nerve. 1985;8:189–194
  7. Basmajian JV, De Luca CJ. Muscles alive: their functions revealed by electromyography. fifth ed.. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins; 1985;
  8. Beck TW, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Weir JP, Cramer JT, Coburn JW, et al. Mechanomyographic amplitude and mean power frequency versus torque relationships during isokinetic and isometric muscle actions of the biceps brachii. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2004;14:555–564
  9. Beck TW, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Weir JP, Cramer JT, Coburn JW, et al. Mechanomyographic and electromyographic amplitude and frequency responses during fatiguing isokinetic muscle actions of the biceps brachii. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 2004;44:431–441
  10. Beck TW, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Weir JP, Cramer JT, Coburn JW, et al. Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses during submaximal to maximal eccentric isokinetic muscle actions of the biceps brachii. J Strength Cond Res, in press.
  11. Beck TW, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Cramer JT, Weir JP, Coburn JW, et al. Comparison of the fast Fourier transform and continuous wavelet transform for examining mechanomyographic frequency versus eccentric torque relationships. J Neurosci Methods. 2006;150:59–66
  12. Bellemare F, Woods JJ, Johansson R, Bigland-Ritchie B. Motor-unit discharge rates in maximal voluntary contractions of three human muscles. J Neurophysiol. 1983;50:1380–1392
  13. Bichler E. Mechanomyograms recorded during evoked contractions of single motor units in the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;83:310–319
  14. Bichler E, Celichowski J. Mechanomyographic signals generated during unfused tetani of single motor units in the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;85:513–520
  15. Bolton CF, Parkes A, Thompson TR, Clark MR, Sterne CJ. Recording sound from human skeletal muscle: technical and physiological aspects. Muscle Nerve. 1989;12:126–134
  16. Cescon C, Gazzoni M, Gobbo M, Orizio C, Farina D. Non-invasive assessment of single motor unit mechanomyographic response and twitch force by spike-triggered averaging. Med Biol Eng Comput. 2004;42:496–501
  17. Clamann HP. Activity of single motor units during isometric tension. Neurology. 1970;20:254–260
  18. Coburn JW, Housh TJ, Cramer JT, Weir JP, Miller JM, Beck TW, et al. Mechanomyographic time and frequency domain responses of the vastus medialis muscle during submaximal to maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle actions. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 2004;44:247–255
  19. Coburn JW, Housh TJ, Cramer JT, Weir JP, Miller JM, Beck TW, et al. Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses of the vastus medialis muscle during isometric and concentric muscle actions. J Strength Cond Res. 2005;19:412–420
  20. Coburn JW, Housh TJ, Weir JP, Malek MH, Cramer JT, Beck TW, et al. Mechanomyographic responses of the vastus medialis to isometric and eccentric muscle actions. Med Sci Sports Exercise. 2004;36:1916–1922
  21. Cramer JT, Housh TJ, Weir JP, Johnson GO, Berning JM, Perry SR, et al. Mechanomyographic and electromyographic amplitude and frequency responses from the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles during maximal, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 2002;42:337–346
  22. Cramer JT, Housh TJ, Weir JP, Johnson GO, Berning JM, Perry SR, et al. Gender, muscle, and velocity comparisons of mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses during isokinetic muscle actions. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2004;14:116–127
  23. Cramer JT, Housh TJ, Weir JP, Johnson GO, Ebersole KT, Perry SR, et al. Power output, mechanomyographic, and electromyographic responses to maximal, concentric, isokinetic muscle actions in men and women. J Strength Cond Res. 2002;16:399–408
  24. Dalton PA, Stokes MJ. Frequency of acoustic myography during isometric contraction of fresh and fatigued muscle and during dynamic contractions. Muscle Nerve. 1993;16:255–261
  25. De Luca CJ. Physiology and mathematics of myoelectric signals. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1979;26:313–325
  26. De Luca CJ, LeFever RS, McCue MP, Xenakis AP. Behavior of human motor units in different muscles during linearly varying contractions. J Physiol. 1982;329:113–128
  27. Ebersole KT, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Evetovich TK, Smith DB, Perry SR. The effect of leg flexion angle on the mechanomyographic responses to isometric muscle actions. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1998;78:264–269
  28. Ebersole KT, Housh TJ, Weir JP, Johnson GO, Evetovich TK, Smith DB. The effects of leg angular velocity on mean power frequency and amplitude of the mechanomyographic signal. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 2000;40:49–55
  29. Enoka RM, Fuglevand AJ. Motor unit physiology: some unresolved issues. Muscle Nerve. 2001;23:4–17
  30. Esposito F, Ce E, Gobbo M, Veicsteinas A, Orizio C. Surface EMG and mechanomyogram disclose isokinetic training effects on quadriceps muscle in elderly people. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005;94:549–557
  31. Esposito F, Malgrati D, Veicsteinas A, Orizio C. Time and frequency domain analysis of electromyogram and sound myogram in the elderly. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1996;73:503–510
  32. Esposito F, Orizio C, Veicsteinas A. Electromyogram and mechanomyogram changes in fresh and fatigued muscle during sustained contraction in men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1998;78:494–501
  33. Ettema GJC, Huijing PA. Skeletal muscle stiffness in static and dynamic contractions. J Biomech. 1994;27:1361–1368
  34. Evetovich TK, Housh TJ, Weir JP, Johnson GO, Smith DB, Ebersole KT. Mean power frequency and amplitude of the mechanomyographic signal during maximal eccentric isokinetic muscle actions. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1999;39:123–127
  35. Farina D, Merletti R. A novel approach for precise simulation of the EMG signal detected by surface electrodes. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2001;48:637–646
  36. Farina D, Mesin L, Martina S, Merletti R. A surface EMG generation model with multilayer cylindrical description of the volume conductor. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2004;51:415–426
  37. Faulkner JA, Claflin DR, McCully KK. Power output of fast and slow fibers from human skeletal muscles. In:  Jones NL,  McCartney N,  McComas AJ editor. Human muscle power. Champaign: Human Kinetics Publishers; 1986;p. 81–91
  38. Frangioni JV, Kwan-Gett TS, Dobrunz LE, McMahon TA. The mechanism of low-frequency sound production in muscle. Biophys J. 1987;51:775–783
  39. Hannerz J. Discharge properties of motor units in relation to recruitment order in voluntary contraction. Acta Physiol Scand. 1974;91:374–385
  40. Hermens HJ, van Bruggen TAM, Baten CTM, Rutten WLC, Boom HBK. The median frequency of the surface EMG power spectrum in relation to motor unit firing and action potential properties. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 1992;2:15–25
  41. Herroun EF, Yeo GF. Note on the sound accompanying the single contraction of skeletal muscle. J Physiol. 1885;6:287–292
  42. Itoh Y, Akataki K, Mita K, Watakabe M, Itoh K. Time–frequency analysis of mechanomyogram during sustained contractions with muscle fatigue. Syst Comput Japan. 2004;35:26–36
  43. Jaskólska A, Brzenczek W, Kisiel-Sajewicz K, Kawczynski A, Marusiak J, Jaskolski A. The effect of skinfold on frequency of human muscle mechanomyogram. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2004;14:217–225
  44. Johnson MA, Polgar J, Weightman D, Appleton D. Data on the distribution of fibre types in thirty-six human muscles: an autopsy study. J Neurol Sci. 1973;18:111–129
  45. Jonsson B, Bagge UE. Displacement, deformation and fracture of wire electrodes for electromyography. Electromyography. 1968;8:329–347
  46. Kaczmarek P, Celichowski J, Kasinski A. Experimentally verified model of mechanomyograms recorded during single motor unit contractions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2005;15:617–630
  47. Kimura T, Hamada T, Massako Ueno L, Moritani T. Changes in contractile properties and neuromuscular propagation evaluated by simultaneous mechanomyogram and electromyogram during experimentally induced hypothermia. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2003;13:433–440
  48. Kossev A, Christova P. Discharge pattern of human motor units during dynamic concentric and eccentric contractions. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1998;109:245–255
  49. Kouzaki M, Shinohara M, Fukunaga T. Non-uniform mechanical activity of quadriceps muscle during fatigue by repeated maximal voluntary contraction in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1999;80:9–15
  50. Kukulka CG, Clamann PH. Comparison of the recruitment and discharge properties of motor units in human brachial biceps and adductor pollicis during isometric contractions. Brain Res. 1981;219:45–55
  51. Lindström LH, Magnusson RI. Interpretation of myoelectric power spectra: a model and its applications. Proc IEEE. 1977;65:653–674
  52. Lindström L, Magnusson R, Petersén I. Muscular fatigue and action potential conduction velocity changes studied with frequency analysis of EMG signals. Electromyography. 1970;4:341–356
  53. Linnamo V, Moritani T, Nicol C, Komi PV. Motor unit activation patterns during isometric, concentric and eccentric actions at different force levels. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2003;13:93–101
  54. Madeleine P, Bajaj P, Søgaard K, Arendt-Nielsen L. Mechanomyography and electromyography force relationships during concentric, isometric and eccentric contractions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2001;11:113–121
  55. Madeleine P, Jørgensen LV, Søgaard K, Arendt-Nielsen L, Sjøgaard G. Development of muscle fatigue as assessed by electromyography and mechanomyography during continuous and intermittent low-force contractions: effects of the feedback mode. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;87:28–37
  56. Mamaghani NK, Shimomura Y, Iwanaga K, Katsuura T. Mechanomyogram and electromyogram responses of upper limb during sustained isometric fatigue with varying shoulder and elbow postures. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002;21:29–43
  57. Marchetti M, Felici F, Bernardi M, Minasi P, Di Filippo L. Can evoked phonomyography be used to recognize fast and slow muscle in man?. Int J Sports Med. 1992;13:65–68
  58. Marsden CD, Meadows JC, Merton PA. “Muscular wisdom” that minimizes fatigue during prolonged effort in man: peak rates of motoneuron discharge and slowing of discharge during fatigue. In:  Desmedt JE editors. Motor control mechanisms in health and disease. New York: Raven Press; 1983;p. 169–211
  59. Matheson GO, Maffrey-Ward L, Mooney M, Ladly K, Fung T, Zhang YT. Vibromyography as a quantitative measure of muscle force production. Scand J Rehabil Med. 1997;29:29–35
  60. Maton B, Petitjean M, Cnockaert JC. Phonomyogram and electromyogram relationships with isometric force reinvestigated in man. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990;60:194–201
  61. Mealing D, Long G, McCarthy PW. Vibromyographic recording from human muscles with known fibre composition differences. Br J Sports Med. 1996;30:27–31
  62. Mealing D, McCarthy PW. Muscle sound frequency analysis from fast and slow twitch muscle. In: Proceedings of the IEEE-EMBS 13th annual international conference. New York: IEEE; 1991;p. 0948–0949
  63. Merletti R, Lo Conte L, Avignone E, Guglielminotti P. Modeling of surface myoelectric signals – Part I: Model implementation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1999;46:810–820
  64. Merletti R, Roy SH, Kupa E, Roatta S, Granata A. Modeling of surface myoelectric signals – Part II: Model-based signal interpretation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1999;46:821–829
  65. Nardone A, Romanò C, Schieppati M. Selective recruitment of high-threshold human motor units during voluntary isotonic lengthening of active muscles. J Physiol. 1989;409:451–471
  66. Orizio C. Soundmyogram and EMG cross-spectrum during exhausting isometric contractions in humans. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 1992;2:141–149
  67. Orizio C. Muscle sound: bases for the introduction of a mechanomyographic signal in muscle studies. Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 1993;21:201–243
  68. Orizio C, Esposito F, Paganotti I, Marino L, Rossi B, Veicsteinas A. Electrically-elicited surface mechanomyogram in myotonic dystrophy. Italian J Neurol Sci. 1997;18:185–190
  69. Orizio C, Esposito F, Veicsteinas A. Effect of acclimatization to high altitude (5050m) on motor unit activation pattern and muscle performance. J Appl Physiol. 1994;77:2840–2844
  70. Orizio C, Gobbo M, Diemont B, Esposito F, Veicsteinas A. The surface mechanomyogram as a tool to describe the influence of fatigue on biceps brachii motor unit activation strategy. Historical basis and novel evidence. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;90:326–336
  71. Orizio C, Liberati D, Locatelli C, De Grandis D, Veicsteinas A. Surface mechanomyogram reflects muscle fibres twitches summation. J Biomech. 1996;29:475–481
  72. Orizio C, Perini R, Diemont B, Figini MM, Veicsteinas A. Spectral analysis of muscular sound during isometric contraction of biceps brachii. J Appl Physiol. 1990;68:508–512
  73. Orizio C, Perini R, Diemont B, Veicsteinas A. Muscle sound and electromyogram spectrum analysis during exhausting contractions in man. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;65:1–7
  74. Orizio C, Perini R, Veicsteinas A. Muscular sound and force relationship during isometric contraction in man. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1989;58:528–533
  75. Orizio C, Veicsteinas A. Soundmyogram analysis during sustained maximal voluntary contraction in sprinters and long distance runners. Int J Sports Med. 1992;13:594–599
  76. Oster G. Muscle sounds. Scient Amer. 1984;250:108–114
  77. Peters EJD, Fuglevand AJ. Cessation of human motor unit discharge during sustained maximal voluntary contraction. Neurosci Lett. 1999;274:66–70
  78. Petitjean M, Maton B. Phonomyogram from single motor units during voluntary isometric contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1995;71:215–222
  79. Rhatigan BA, Mylrea KC, Lonsdale E, Stern LZ. Investigation of sounds produced by healthy and diseased human muscular contraction. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1986;33:967–971
  80. Sejersted OM, Hargens AR, Kardel KR, Blom P, Jensen O, Hermansen L. Intramuscular fluid pressure during isometric contraction of human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol. 1984;56:287–295
  81. Søgaard K, Christensen H, Fallentin N, Mizuno M, Quistorff B, Sjøgaard G. Motor unit activation patterns during concentric wrist flexion in humans with different muscle fibre composition. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1998;78:411–416
  82. Stokes MJ, Cooper RG. Muscle sounds during voluntary and stimulated contractions of the human adductor pollicis muscle. J Appl Physiol. 1992;72:1908–1913
  83. Vaz MA, Herzog W, Zhang YT, Leonard TR, Nguyen H. Mechanism of electrically elicited muscle vibrations in the in situ cat soleus muscle. Muscle Nerve. 1996;19:774–776
  84. Vaz MA, Herzog W, Zhang YT, Leonard TR, Nguyen H. The effect of muscle length on electrically elicited muscle vibrations in the in-situ cat soleus muscle. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 1997;7:113–121
  85. Wee AS, Ashley RA. Vibrations and sounds produced during sustained voluntary muscle contraction. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1989;29:333–337
  86. Weir JP, Ayers KM, Lacefield JF, Walsh KL. Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses during fatigue in humans: influence of muscle length. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;81:352–359
  87. Wollaston WH. On the duration of muscle action. Philos Trans Roy Soc London. 1810;1–5
  88. Yoshitake Y, Moritani T. The muscle sound properties of different muscle fiber types during voluntary and electrically induced contractions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 1999;9:209–217
  89. Yoshitake Y, Shinohara M, Ue H, Moritani T. Characteristics of surface mechanomyogram are dependent on development of fusion of motor units in humans. J Appl Physiol. 2002;93:1744–1752

PII: S1050-6411(06)00005-8

doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2005.12.002

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 1-13 , February 2007