• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.502-511
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• 2008

This study was designed to develop a new algorithm to extract the voluntary EMG and the evoked EMG from a mixed EMG generated when the muscle is stimulated both voluntarily and by electrical stimulation in the FES system. The proposed parallel filter algorithm consists of three phases: (1) Fourier transform of the mixed EMG, (2) multiplication of the transformed signal to two frequency functions, and (3) inverse Fourier transform. Four incomplete spinal cord injured patients participated in the experiments to evaluate the algorithm by measuring the knee extensor torque and the EMG signals from the quadriceps. Two functions of the algorithms were evaluated: (1) extraction of the evoked EMG and (2) the voluntary EMG from the mixed EMG. The results showed that the algorithm enabled us to separate the two EMG components in real time from the mixed EMG. The algorithm can and will be used for estimating the voluntary torque and the evoked torque independently through an artificial neural network based on the two EMG components, and also for generating a trigger signal to control the on/off time of the FES system.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.249-257
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• 2001

The voluntary contracted EMG signal of spinal cord injured patients is very small because the information from central nervous system is not sufficiently transmitted to $\alpha$ motor neuron or muscle fiber. Therefore the acquisited EMG signal from needle or surface electrodes can not be identified obvious voluntary contraction pattern by muscle movement. In this paper we propose the extraction technique of voluntary muscle contraction and relaxation pattern from EMG signal of spinal cord injured patient whose EMG signal is composed of the linear sum of mo색 unit action potentials with two noise sources, additive noise assumed to be white Gaussian noise and high frequency discharge assumed to be not motor unit action potential but impulsive noise. In order to eliminate impulsive noise and additive noise from voluntary contracted EMG signal, we use the FatBear filter which is a nonarithmetic piecewise constant filter, and multiscale nonlinear wavelet denoising processing, respectively. The proposed technique is applied to the EMG signal acquisited from transverse myelitis patients to extract voluntary muscle contraction pattern.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the mechanism of changes in maximum voluntary torque with the magnitude and duration of pre-activation torque during voluntary isometric knee extension. Method: 11 male subjects (age: 25.91±2.43 yrs., height: 173.12±3.51 cm, weight: 76.45±7.74 kg) participated in this study. The subjects were required to produce maximal voluntary isometric torque with a particular pre-activation torque condition. The properties of pre-activation torque consisted of the combinations of 1) three levels of magnitude, e.g., 32 Nm, 64 Nm, 96 Nm, and 2) two levels of duration, e.g., 1 sec, and 3 sec; thus, a total of six conditions were given to the subjects. The force and EMG data were measured using the force transducers and wireless EMG sensor, respectively. Results: The results showed that the maximum voluntary torque increased the most with relatively large and fast (96 Nm, 1 sec) pre-activation condition. Similarly, with relatively large and fast (96 Nm, 1 sec) preactivation, it was found that the integrated EMG (iEMG) of the agonist muscles increased, while no significant changes in the co-contraction of the antagonist muscles for the knee extension. Also, the effect of pre-activation conditions on the rate of torque development was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that relatively larger in magnitude and shorter in duration as the properties of pre-activation lead to a larger magnitude of maximal voluntary torque, possibly due to the increased activity of the agonist muscles during knee extension.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.843-850
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• 2017

The EMG amplitude estimator, which has been investigated as an indicator of muscle force, is utilized as the control input to artificial prosthetic limbs. This paper describes an application of the optimal EMG amplitude estimator to the surface EMG signals recorded during constant isometric %MVC (maximum voluntary contraction) for 30 seconds and reports on assessing performance of the amplitude estimator from the application. Surface EMG signals, a total of 198 signals, were recorded from biceps brachii muscle over the range of 20-80%MVC isometric contraction. To examine the estimator performance, a SNR(signal-to-noise ratio) was computed from each amplitude estimate. The results of the study indicate that ARV(average rectified value) and RMS(root mean square) amplitude estimation with forth order whitening filter and 250[ms] moving average window length are optimal and showed the mean SNR improvement of about 50%, 40% and 20% for each 20%MVC, 50%MVC and 80%MVC surface EMG signals, respectively.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.527-535
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• 2008

Many signal processing techniques have been described in the literature for estimating amplitude, frequency and duration variables of the surface EMG signal detected during constant voluntary contractions. They have been used in different application areas for the non-invasive assessment of muscle function. The main purpose of our research is to compare the most frequently used algorithms for information extraction from surface EMG signals under varying conditions in terms of the different window lengths, muscle contraction levels, muscles and subjects. In particular we focus on the issue of estimating the slope and intercept to resolve an linear regression line with utilizing real SEMG signals which represents voluntary contractions during thirty seconds.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.338-349
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• 2000

Neck muscle forces and spinal loads at the C4/5 level were estimated that result from isometric voluntary ramp efforts gradually developing to maximums in flexion, extension, left lateral bending and right lateral bending. Electromyographic (EMG) activities, a three-dimensional anatomic data of the neck and a hybrid model, EMG-assisted optimization (EMGAO) model, were used. The model computed the cervical loads at 25%,50%,75%, and 100% of peak moments. The highest model-predicted C4/5 joint compressive forces occurred during flexion; $361\;({\pm}164)\;N,\;811\;({\pm}288)\;N,\;1207\;({\pm}491)\;N\;and\;1674\;({\pm}319)\;N$ in 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of peak moment respectively. Variations in load distribution among the agonistic muscles and co-contractions of antagonistic muscles were estimated during ramp efforts. Results suggest that higher C4/5 joint loads than previously reported are possible during isometric, voluntary muscle contractions. These higher physiological loads at C4/5 level must be considered possible during orthopedic reconstruction at this level.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.1246-1254
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• 2009

The reproducibility of initial value and change over time of surface EMG spike variables(MSA, MSF, MSS, MSD) was investigated in the biceps brachii muscle of 11 healthy subjects. Surface EMG signals were recorded during sustained isometric voluntary contractions for 30 seconds at three contraction levels, 20%, 50%, and 80%MVC, respectively. Each contraction was repeated three times in each of three different days for a total of nine contractions and 99 contractions per %MVC level across the eleven subjects. A total of 297 EMG signals across the different trials, days, subjects, and %MVC levels was saved for the subsequent analysis. The degree of reproducibility was investigated using the intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC) and the standard error of the mean(SEM) based upon the analysis of variance(ANOVA), Results for intercept showed higher reproducibility of the spike variables with about 60%-98% ICC than the variable(ARV, MNF) which had been analyzed before in other researches. And results for slope showed poor reproducibility of the spike variables with about 30%-70% ICC and they were comparable with the variables of other researches.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-69
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the isometric endurance time as percentages of maximum voluntary contraction. Electromyogram(EMG) and Borg's CR-I0 value were measured by push-pull-up-down tasks for 10 healthy males. The normalized EMG value and the MPF(mean power frequency) were used to estimate the muscle recruitment pattern and the development of muscle fatigue. The subjects exerted and maintained 5 levels of %MVC(maximum voluntary contraction) in $90^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion/ 180oelbow extension at sitting posture. The up-task showed the lower endurance time and higher Borg's CR-I0 value than the other task types. Comparing Rohmert's curve with the endurance time of task types. Rohmert's curve overestimated the endurance time of up-task and underestimated the endurance time of push-pull-down tasks. The normalized EMG value showed that muscles recruitment patterns were different from task types. The 4 muscles(biceps brachii muscle, tricep brachii muscle. middle deltoid muscle. trapezius muscle) recruitment patterns of up-task were higher than those of other tasks. The MPF value decreased with the endurance time, and the shift of MPF at up-task was larger than that of the other task types.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.101-111
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to determine EMG biofeedback training effect on the muscle activities in 3 unilateral facial palsy patients along with multiple baseline design across subjects. The auditory feedback about facial muscles (orbicularis oris, orbicularis oculi, frontalis) was provided with each patient during facial exercise training. Electromyographic (EMG) activity during maximal voluntary contraction and maximal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude elected by supramaximal electrical stimulation on facial nerve of facial muscles were measured pre- and post- EMG biofeedback training to evaluate motor learning. EMG activity during maximal voluntary contraction was increased after EMG biofeedback training and CMAP amplitude elected by supramaximal electrical stimulation was not changed in all subjects. The results indicate that EMG biofeedback training is useful method to improve motor learning of facial excercise training in unilateral facial palsy patients.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2007

There are have been reports that the distribution of electromyographical(EMG) activity is determined in a predictable manner by both the location and number of occlusal contacts. However, these reports placed an emphasis on whole dentition. Inclined plane contacts in the frontal plane are classified as A-, B- or C-types. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between occlusal tooth contact patterns and EMG activity of masseter muscle during maximum voluntary clenching. Methods: Fifteen healthy human subjects(Mean age; 25.3 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Acrylic resin overlays were fabricated for upper 2nd premolars and 1st molars bilaterally, and offered 3 types(A-, B- and AB- type contact). EMG activity of the masseter muscles was recorded bilaterally during maximum voluntary clenching. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA. Results: The group with a A-type contact showed a statistically lower EMG activity of masseter muscle than that of natural group(p<0.05) and that of B- and AB- type groups(p<0.01) on both upper 2nd premolars and upper 1st molars. Conclusions: These results suggest that occlusal tooth contact patterns have an influence on EMG activity of masseter muscle during maximum voluntary clenching.