EMG Power Spectrum Patterns of Anterior Temporal and Masseter Muscles in Children and Adults

The power spectrum of electromyograms (EMG) has been demonstrated to vary with muscles having different muscle fiber type compositions. This study investigated the variations in EMG power spectrum patterns of the masticatory muscles with age and gender by comparison of the mean power frequency (MPF) of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles in children and adults. Surface EMG signals were sampled bilaterally from the muscles when the subjects were performing maximum voluntary isometric clenches at maximal intercuspal position. The results indicated that MPF values were age-dependent (p less than 0.001), and sexual dimorphism was evident (p less than 0.001), with lower MPF values in male and adult muscles. While male adults had the lowest and female children had the highest MPF values, female adults had MPF values closer to values obtained from male children. These differences or similarities could be attributed to the degree of differentiation of the muscles during growth and development of the craniofacial morphology.