Direct On-Line Estimation of Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity by Surface Electromyography

A new approach to the measurement of muscle fiber conduction velocity by surface electromyography (EMG) is developed, based upon a triple surface-electrode configuration. Unlike previously reported methods, it does not require the Fourier transformation of raw EMG data, and can be implemented on-line on a simple digital computer. Although programmed here on a PDP-11 machine, the algorithms developed are equally suited to a 16-bit microprocessor, without any need for hardware multiplication or floating-point facilities. Accurate conduction velocity estimates may be obtained every few seconds.