BME 3204 LAB REPORT 02

Lab Title:

Acquisition and Analysis of EMG Signals Using the BIOPAC M45 Module.

Abstract:

This report explores the acquisition of electromyography (EMG) signals using the BIOPAC
MP 45 module. The study focuses on understanding muscle activity, including motor unit
recruitment, muscle tonus, and the relationship between electrical activity and muscle
contraction. The experimental setup and procedures were designed to record and analyze EMG
data, correlating physiological signals with motor output

Objectives:

1. Understand the principles of electromyography (EMG) and its application in measuring

muscle activity.
2. Utilize the BIOPAC MP 45 module for accurate acquisition and analysis of EMG
signals.
3. To record force produced by clench muscles using corresponding EMG signal

1. INTRODUCTION

A. Overview of Electromyography (EMG)

Electromyography (EMG) is the process of detecting and recording the electrical activity
generated by skeletal muscles during contraction. This activity is a result of motor nerve
impulses triggering muscle fibers to contract. EMG signals are used extensively in medical
diagnostics, rehabilitation, and research to study neuromuscular function and disorders.

Figure 1: A graphical representation of EMG signals showing active contraction bursts, rest periods, and baseline activity.

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Figure 1 given above demonstrates the typical waveform of an EMG signal. The active
contraction burst represents the increased amplitude and frequency of electrical signals
generated during muscle contraction. The rest period reflects a lower amplitude as the muscle
relaxes, while the baseline shows minimal electrical activity during the resting state. This
baseline activity corresponds to the intrinsic muscle tone or low-level muscle contractions
present even when the muscle is not actively engaged.(Moslhi et al., 2024)

B. Physiological Basis of EMG Signals

The human body contains three types of muscle tissues: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal
muscles. Skeletal muscles are responsible for voluntary movements, converting chemical
energy into mechanical work. This process involves somatic motor nerves transmitting signals
from the brain or spinal cord to muscle fibers through motor units. A motor unit comprises a
single motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates. The electrical activity of these motor
units forms the basis of EMG signals. The following section explores the physiological
mechanisms underlying EMG signals, including muscle function, recruitment, and the
influence of hand dominance.

1. Skeletal Muscle Function: Muscle contractions occur when motor neurons transmit
electrical impulses to muscle fibers via neuromuscular junctions, triggering action
potentials and coordinated contractions.

Figure 2: The Three Connective Tissue Layers: Bundles of muscle fibers, called fascicles, are covered by the perimysium.
Muscle fibers are covered by the endomysium

2. Muscle Tone and Resting Activity: Muscles maintain a baseline contraction level, or
muscle tone, even at rest. This low-level electrical activity varies between individuals
and is influenced by factors like hand dominance.
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3. Motor Unit Recruitment: To meet varying physical demands, the brain sequentially
recruits motor units, progressively increasing the number of active motor neurons and
muscle fibers. This process, known as motor unit recruitment, allows muscles to adapt
their contraction strength to specific tasks. Greater recruitment of motor units results in
higher electrical activity, which is reflected as amplified EMG signals during intense
muscle contractions. (Pflanzer et al., n.d.)

Figure 3: Example of Motor Neuron Unit

4. Action Potentials and Neuromuscular Junctions: Action potentials drive muscle

contractions by transmitting electrical impulses along neurons and across
neuromuscular junctions, enabling communication between nerves and muscles.
5. Hand Dominance: Hand dominance arises from genetic and neurological factors,
leading to a consistent preference for using one hand over the other for various tasks.
The dominant hand often exhibits greater muscle strength and coordination, which is
hypothesized to correspond to higher electrical activity in EMG signals compared to
the non-dominant hand. This phenomenon is attributed to the greater use and efficiency
of motor unit recruitment in the dominant hand's muscles.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between muscle contraction
intensity and electrical activity. The study explored the hypothesis that the dominant arm
produces greater clench strength and, consequently, higher electrical activity compared to the
non-dominant arm. Additionally, it was observed that even in a resting state, skeletal muscles
exhibit a baseline level of electrical activity.
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II. APPARATUS

1. BIOPAC MP 45 module

2. BIOPAC Electrode Lead Set (SS2L)

3. Disposable electrodes (EL503)

4. Electrode gel and abrasive pad

5. BIOPAC Student Lab software (BSL 4.0)

6. Computer system (Windows or Mac)

7. Optional: Headphones for auditory EMG output

8. Subject Volunteer

III. METHODOLOGY

A. Experimental Setup:

The accurate acquisition of EMG signals depends on the proper placement of electrodes on
the target muscles. This section outlines the methodology for electrode positioning to ensure
reliable and high-quality signal recordings (Pflanzer et al., n.d.)

Figure 4: Electrode Placement and Lead Attachment

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B. System Initialization:

1. Connect the MP 45 module to the computer.

2. Ensure the USB cable is securely attached, and the "Ready" light is on.

3. Launch the BIOPAC Student Lab software and select the EMG lesson.

C. Electrode Placement:

4. Prepare the skin by cleansing with alcohol or using an abrasive pad.

5. Attach electrodes to the dominant forearm for initial measurements.

6. Ensure proper lead connections to minimize noise.

D. Calibration:

7. Perform a clench-release cycle to calibrate the system.

8. Verify data integrity by checking the baseline and clench strength bursts.

E. Data Recording:

9. Record muscle tonus in a relaxed state.

10. Perform clench-release cycles (for 2 seconds) with increasing strength.

11. Repeat the procedure for approximately 120 seconds.

F. Data Analysis:

12. Baseline Muscle Tonus: The EMG signals recorded during the relaxed state were
analyzed to determine baseline muscle tone. This data provides insight into the intrinsic
electrical activity of the muscles at rest.

13. Clench Strength Analysis:

The amplitude and frequency of the EMG signals were examined for each clench cycle.
The relationship between clench strength and the corresponding electrical activity was
plotted to visualize the correlation.

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IV. RESULTS

Figure 5: Visualization of the electromyographic (EMG) signal recorded from the subject "Neyamul"

Figure 6: Visualization of the electromyographic (EMG) signal recorded from the subject "Noushin"

Figure 6: Visualization of the electromyographic (EMG) signal recorded from the subject "Ricky"

Figure 7: Visualization of the electromyographic (EMG) signal recorded from the subject "Rifat"

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Figure 8: Visualization of the electromyographic (EMG) signal recorded from the subject "Sanjida"

Figure 9: Visualization of the electromyographic (EMG) signal recorded from the subject "Trisha"

V. DISCUSSION

The experimental data provided through EMG signal recordings for six different subjects
(Neyamul, Noushin, Ricky, Rifat, Sanjida, and Trisha) offers valuable insights into muscle
activation patterns during the study. Each figure demonstrates unique signal characteristics that
reflect the variability of muscle activity between individuals. Key findings include:

1. Variations in EMG Signal Characteristics: The EMG signals displayed in Figures 5

to 10 illustrate differences in amplitude, frequency, and signal morphology. These
variations can be attributed to factors such as muscle fiber type, level of effort exerted,
electrode placement, and physiological differences between subjects. For instance, the
higher amplitude observed in some subjects may indicate stronger muscle contractions,
while lower-frequency components might suggest prolonged, less intense activity.
2. Impact of Signal Quality and Noise: Additionally, the signal quality and noise levels
observed in the recordings emphasize the importance of proper electrode placement and
skin preparation. Variations in baseline noise could also reflect environmental
interference or differences in electrode contact quality.

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Overall, the EMG signals successfully capture the dynamic nature of muscle activation and
provide a basis for further quantitative analysis, such as root mean square (RMS) calculation,
frequency domain analysis, or feature extraction for classification tasks. Future studies could
explore correlations between EMG signal features and specific activities or conditions, as well
as refine methodologies to minimize artifacts and enhance signal fidelity.

VI. CONCLUSION

This experiment successfully demonstrated the principles of electromyography (EMG) and

its application in analyzing muscle activity. The study revealed that muscles exhibit a baseline
level of electrical activity, even in a relaxed state, highlighting the presence of intrinsic muscle
tone. Additionally, the correlation between clench strength and EMG signal amplitude was
clearly established, confirming the ability of EMG to quantify muscle activity. Key findings
include the following:

1. Baseline Muscle Activity: The muscles exhibit a baseline electrical activity even in a
relaxed state, indicative of muscle tone.

2. Correlation Between Clench Strength and EMG Signals: A clear correlation was
observed, with increased clench strength resulting in amplified EMG signals,
confirming the effectiveness of EMG in quantifying muscle activity.

While the study achieved its objectives, future experiments could benefit from advanced
filtering techniques like wavelet transforms to improve signal clarity. Adding metrics such as
signal entropy and median frequency would provide deeper insights into muscle behavior.
Expanding the study to include dynamic activities or fatigue analysis could further enhance its
applicability.

REFERENCES
nu

Moslhi, A. M., Aly, H. H., & ElMessiery, M. (2024). The Impact of Feature Extraction on Classification
Accuracy Examined by Employing a Signal Transformer to Classify Hand Gestures Using Surface
Electromyography Signals. Sensors 2024, Vol. 24, Page 1259, 24(4), 1259.
https://doi.org/10.3390/S24041259

Pflanzer, R., Uyehara, J. C., & Mcmullen, W. (n.d.). Physiology Lessons for use with the Biopac Student
Lab Lesson 2 ELECTROMYOGRAPHY II Motor unit recruitment Fatigue.

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