Macro EMG in healthy subjects of different ages.

The findings of the recently developed technique of Macro EMG in healthy subjects of different ages are described. The characteristics of the Macro motor unit potential which probably reflects the relative size of the whole motor unit are presented together with suggested normal data for the three muscles studied. An increase in size of the Macro motor unit potential was found with age, particularly after the age of 60 years. Possible factors determining the Macro EMG signal and the age related changes are discussed.

[1]  Stanley Fahn.  Recent Advances in EEG and EMG Data Processing , 1983, Neurology.

[2]  L Antoni,et al.  Electrophysiological cross section of the motor unit. , 1980, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[3]  E Stålberg,et al.  Motor unit fibre density in the extensor digitorum communis muscle. Single fibre electromyographic study in normal subjects at different ages. , 1975, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[4]  A. McComas,et al.  Physiological changes in ageing muscles , 1973, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[5]  W. W. Tuttle,et al.  The relation of grip strength and grip-strength endurance to age. , 1953, Journal of applied physiology.

[6]  B. Tomlinson,et al.  Histochemical aspects of five limb muscles in old age. An autopsy study. , 1971, Journal of the neurological sciences.

[7]  W. Brown.  Functional compensation of human motor units in health and disease. , 1973, Journal of the neurological sciences.

[8]  R B Stein,et al.  The orderly recruitment of human motor units during voluntary isometric contractions , 1973, The Journal of physiology.

[9]  H P Clamann,et al.  Activity of single motor units during isometric tension , 1970, Neurology.

[10]  E Stålberg,et al.  Macro EMG, a new recording technique. , 1980, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.