Evaluation of Muscle Activity as Influenced by Shape and Arrangement of the EMG Electrodes in the Musculature of the Upper and Lower Extremities

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Various wearable devices are being developed as concern about health care increases secondary to an aging population in general, and increase in the instance of chronic illness, in particular. Most especially, studies of the development of sensors and systems that capture and analyze bio-signals are being frequently performed. However, most studies focus on collecting bio-signals from static motion, and there are not enough studies that measure, with any degree of precision, bio-signals arising from active motion. Also, there are almost no studies regarding the shape and arrangement of electrodes to increase the effectiveness of EMG measurement depending on the types of muscles. Therefore, in this study three electrode shape (circular shape, X-shape, cross shape) and two electrode arrangements on muscles (longitudinal and transversal array on the muscle) were examined in an effort to identify the optimal shape and arrangement of the electrodes for the purpose of quantifying the muscle activity of the biceps brachii and quadriceps-rectus femoris musculature. Analysis of macroscopic curvature before and during MVC motions was also observed, using 3D scanner and program. The results of the study showed that muscle activity was highest when cross shape electrodes (which allow freedom of movement in any diagonal direction) were placed on the biceps brachii muscle in a longitudinal array. As for quadriceps-rectus femoris muscle (which has greater circumference and less changes in macroscopic curvature), muscle activity increased when electrodes were attached along the transversal direction, regardless of the electrode shapes.