Abstract
Purpose
The relationship between mechanomyography (MMG) and electromyography (sEMG) during electrically evoked muscle contraction was examined using the von Tscharner “intensity analysis,” which describes the power of a non-stationary signal as a function of both frequency and time.
Method
Data for 8 college-aged participants (3 males; 5 females) with measurable H-reflexes were analyzed. Recruitment curves for H-reflex (H), M-wave (M) using sEMG, and peak-to-peak MMG (MMGp–p) were elicited through incremental tibial nerve stimulation. The maximum peak-to-peak values for H and M for each sample were summed (HM); and maximum intensity values were measured for MMG, H, and M following the intensity analysis and computation of total intensity (MMGCvT, HCvT, MCvT). HCvT and MCvT were subsequently added together (HMCvT) for comparisons.
Results
Correlations of HM:MMGp–p, HM:MMGCvT, HMCvT:MMGCvT, HMCvT:MMGp–p, were low (r = 0.34, 0.33, 0.09, and 0.12, respectively, p < 0.001); and correlations of HM:HMCvT, MMGCvT:MMGp–p, were moderate-to-high (r = 0.69 and 0.97, respectively, p < 0.001). Correlations for individuals ranged from 0.61 to 0.99 across comparisons. The time at which maximal intensities occurred reflected the transition from a predominant H-reflex to the onset of the M-wave and declining lag times were noted with increasing intensity.
Conclusions
The intensity analysis provides insight into the frequency characteristics of the H-reflex and M-wave not seen in traditional analysis of the H-reflex. The intensity analysis may be a useful tool in studying individual variations and changes in the contraction velocities of skeletal muscle.
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Abbreviations
- H:
-
The muscle response corresponding to the direct afferent activation of the peripheral nerve in response to the electrical stimulation; portion of the sEMG corresponding to the H-reflex
- HCvT :
-
Peak total intensity and corresponding time-to-maximum of H
- HM:
-
Sum of the peak-to-peak amplitudes of H and M
- H-reflex:
-
Hoffmann reflex; electrically induced muscle reflex analogous to the spinal stretch reflex
- MMG:
-
Mechanomyography
- M:
-
The muscle response corresponding to the direct efferent activation of the peripheral nerve in response to the electrical stimulation; portion of the sEMG corresponding to the motor response
- MCvT :
-
Peak total intensity and corresponding time-to-maximum of M
- MMGCvT :
-
Maximal plot of the total intensity plot of the mechanomyograph
- MMGp–p :
-
Peak-to-peak amplitude of the raw mechanomyograph
- sEMG:
-
Surface electromyography
- TTMax:
-
Lag time from the onset of the electrical stimulus to the peak amplitude of the measured wave plot
- V max :
-
Maximal muscle shortening velocity
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Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the student researchers who contributed to this project: Ryan Hill, Nicole Stegenga, Dan Forro, JD Welch, and JR Jones.
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Communicated by Toshio Moritani.
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Armstrong, W.J. Wavelet-based intensity analysis of the mechanomyograph and electromyograph during the H-reflex. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 2571–2578 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2975-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2975-x