The rate response and synchronization of muscle contractions in the forearms

This study seeks to obtain preliminary data to determine how well a digital control implementation could be used to control electromechanical devices by using surface electromyogram (EMG) signals. Current methods using EMG signals to control prosthesis and other devices employ analog and proportional control. This study looks to examine the problem from a digital point of view. EMG signals were recorded from the forearm flexor muscles on each arm from fifteen able-bodied individuals. Each subject was asked to perform a sequence of forearm flexions(left, right, both arms simultaneously, both arms alternating) . The maximum rate at which a human could perform the forearm flexion was also measured. The maximum rate recorded for forearm flexions was 4.67plusmn1.12 Hz for the given sequences that each participant was asked to perform there was an average accuracy of 95.0% plusmn8.25%.