Electromyograms (EMG) in Humans
With the use of surface electrodes, a Stimulus Isolator and a PowerLab data acquisition system, the electrical activity of muscle groups can easily be studied. Your students can quantify the amount of electrical activity in the muscle by setting a channel to integrate the raw EMG signal online. They can also determine the standard deviation of the raw EMG signal to provide a quantitative measure of muscle activation over short time intervals. Students can use Headphones to listen to EMG "sounds".
To analyze a complex wave pattern such as an EMG, your students can perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) using the Spectrum window in LabChart. The resulting frequency spectrum indicates the strength of each frequency in the observed EMG wave. Students can also investigate single motor units and recruitment, the stretch reflex and conduction velocity.
The flexible PowerLab data acquisition system provides several non-invasive methods for investigating the properties of muscle.
- Record voluntary EMG and individual motor unit activity using EEG Flat Electrodes.
- Evoked EMG activity with the Stimulus Isolator and Stimulating Bar Electrode.
- Investigate muscular fatigue and strength, comparing dominant and non-dominant hands using the Hand Dynamometer.
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