(S1W3) Electromyography (EMG) part 2

Question 1

What is electromyography (EMG)?

Answer 1

• a technique for measuring changes in electrical potential within a muscle
• useful for measuring muscle timing and sequencing

Question 2

What are the 3 different types of electrodes you can use to measure muscle excitation?

Answer 2

• bipolar surface
• needle
• fine-wire

Question 3

Needle and fine-wire electrodes are both . . .

Answer 3

• indwelling electrodes
• meaning they go into the muscle

Question 4

What are the positives of indwelling electrodes?

Answer 4

• good for picking up signals deep in muscles
• good for localised pickup referring to measuring individual motor units rather than the whole muscle

Question 5

What are the negatives of indwelling electrodes?

Answer 5

• quite invasive
• potential for nerve injury
• expensive
• difficult to insert
• not feasable for most sporting activities that we are interested in