Acoustic myography reflects force changes during dynamic concentric and eccentric contractions of the human biceps brachii muscle

SummaryThe relationship between acoustic myography (AMG), electromyography (EMG) and force during submaximal dynamic contractions was examined in the biceps brachii muscles of eight healthy males (aged 17–26 years). Different weights were lifted and lowered at a constant speed, using a wall pulley system, to perform concentric and eccentric contractions, respectively. Integrated AMG (iAMG) and integrated EMG (iEMG) activity both increased linearly with force during concentric (iAMGr=0.94; iEMGr=0.99) and eccentric (iAMGr=0.90; iEMGr=0.94) contractions. The slopes of the concentric regression lines were significantly different from the eccentric slopes (P<0.01) for both iAMG and iEMG with concentric contractions showing greater levels of activity. The results indicated that AMG can be used to detect changes in force during dynamic contractions which has important implications for the use of AMG in rehabilitation. The differences in iAMG activity between concentric and eccentric contractions are discussed in relationship to the origin of the AMG signal.

[1]  B. Maton,et al.  Phonomyogram and electromyogram relationships with isometric force reinvestigated in man , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[2]  L. Haugh,et al.  Comparison of acoustic and electrical signals from erectores spinae muscles , 1988, Muscle and Nerve.

[3]  O. Lippold,et al.  The relation between force and integrated electrical activity in fatigued muscle , 1956, The Journal of physiology.

[4]  B. Bigland-ritchie,et al.  Linear and non-linear surface EMG/force relationships in human muscles. An anatomical/functional argument for the existence of both. , 1983, American journal of physical medicine.

[5]  P. Komi,et al.  EMG activity of the leg extensor muscles with special reference to mechanical efficiency in concentric and eccentric exercise. , 1987, International journal of sports medicine.

[6]  T. McMahon,et al.  The mechanism of low-frequency sound production in muscle. , 1987, Biophysical journal.

[7]  R. Perini,et al.  Muscular sound and force relationship during isometric contraction in man , 2006, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[8]  J. Desmedt,et al.  New Developments in Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology , 1973 .

[9]  D T Barry,et al.  Acoustic myography as a control signal for an externally powered prosthesis. , 1986, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[10]  D T Barry,et al.  Acoustic myography: A noninvasive monitor of motor unit fatigue , 1985, Muscle & nerve.

[11]  Kenneth C. Mylrea,et al.  Investigation of Sounds Produced by Healthy and Diseased Human Muscular Contraction , 1986, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[12]  J. S. Jaffe,et al.  Low frequency sounds from sustained contraction of human skeletal muscle. , 1980, Biophysical journal.

[13]  B Bigland-Ritchie,et al.  Integrated electromyogram and oxygen uptake during positive and negative work. , 1976, The Journal of physiology.

[14]  R. A. Ashley,et al.  Vibrations and sounds produced during sustained voluntary muscle contraction. , 1989, Electromyography and clinical neurophysiology.

[15]  H. J. Seddon,et al.  New Developments in Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology , 1974 .

[16]  S. Muramatsu,et al.  Activity of motor units during concentric and eccentric contractions. , 1988, American journal of physical medicine.

[17]  C. Orizio,et al.  Changes of muscular sound during sustained isometric contraction up to exhaustion. , 1989, Journal of applied physiology.

[18]  D T Barry,et al.  Acoustic signals from frog skeletal muscle. , 1987, Biophysical journal.

[19]  P. V. Komi,et al.  Relationship between Muscle Tension, EMG and Velocity of Contraction under Concentric and Eccentric Work , 1973 .

[20]  M. Stokes,et al.  Acoustic myographic activity increases linearly up to maximal voluntary isometric force in the human quadriceps muscle , 1991, Journal of the Neurological Sciences.

[21]  D T Barry,et al.  Fluid mechanics of muscle vibrations. , 1988, Biophysical journal.

[22]  T. R. Thompson,et al.  Recording sound from human skeletal muscle: Technical and physiological aspects , 1989, Muscle & nerve.

[23]  B. Diemont,et al.  CORRELATED SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF EMG AND MUSCULAR SOUND (SMG) FOR THE STUDY OF MOTOR UNIT FIRING PATTERN. , 1987 .

[24]  O. Lippold,et al.  The relation between force, velocity and integrated electrical activity in human muscles , 1954, The Journal of physiology.