Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The surface mechanomyogram as a tool to describe the influence of fatigue on biceps brachii motor unit activation strategy. Historical basis and novel evidence

  • Review Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The surface mechanomyogram (MMG) (detectable at the muscle surface as MMG by accelerometers, piezoelectric contact sensors or other transducers) is the summation of the activity of single motor units (MUs). Each MU contribution is related to the pressure waves generated by the active muscle fibres. The first part of this article will review briefly the results obtained by our group studying the possible role of motor unit recruitment and firing rate in determining the characteristics of the MMG during stimulated and voluntary contractions. The second part of this article will study the MMG and EMG during a short isometric force ramp from 0 to 90% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in fresh and fatigued biceps brachii. The aim is to verify whether changes in motor unit activation strategy in voluntarily fatigued muscle could be specifically reflected in the time and frequency domain parameters of the MMG. MMG-RMS vs. %MVC: at fatigue the MMG-RMS did not present the well known increment, when effort level increases, followed by a clear decrement at near-maximal contraction levels. MMG-MF vs. %MVC: compared to fresh muscle the fatigued biceps brachii showed an MF trend significantly shifted towards lower values and the steeper MF increment, from 65 to 85% MVC, was not present. The alteration in the MMG and EMG parameters vs. %MVC relationships at fatigue seems to be related to the impossibility of recruiting fast, but more fatigable MUs, and to the lowering of the global MUs firing during the short isometric force ramp investigated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akataki K, Mita K, Itoh Y (1999) Relationship between mechanomyogram and force during voluntary contractions reinvestigated using spectral decomposition. Eur J Appl Physiol 80:173–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Akataki K, Mita K, Watakabe M, Itoh K (2001) Mechanomyogram and force relationship during voluntary isometric ramp contractions of the biceps brachii muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 84:19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Akataki K, Mita K, Watakabe M, Itoh K (2002) Age-related change in motor unit activation strategy in force production: a mechanomygraphic investigation. Muscle Nerve 25:505–512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allum JH, Dietz V, Freund HJ (1978) Neuronal mechanisms underlying physiological tremor. J Neurophysiol 41:557–571

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barry DT, Geiringer SR, Ball RD (1985) Acoustic myography: a noninvasive monitor of motor unit fatigue. Muscle Nerve 8:189–194

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baselli G, Porta A, Diemont B, Campa I, Galesi M, Orizio C (2002) Accelerometric and optical mechanomyogram in spectral and information domains: isometric load and fatigue. Proceedings of IV International Workshop on Biosignal Interpretation. BSI 2002; pp 71–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Basmajian JV, De Luca CJ (1985) Muscle alive. Their functions revealed by electromyography. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore

  • Bichler E (2000) Mechanomyograms recorded during evoked contractions of single motor units in the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle. Eur J Appl Physiol 83:310–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilodeau M, Arsenault AB, Gravel D, Bourbonnais D (1990) The influence of an increase in the level of force on the EMG power spectrum of elbow extensors. Eur J Appl Physiol 61:461–466

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blinowska A, Verroust J, Cannet G (1980) An analysis of synchronization and double discharge effects on low frequency electromyographic power spectra. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 20(6):465–480

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clamann HP (1970) Activity of single motor units during isometric tension. Neurology 20:254–260

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Luca CJ, Erim Z (1994) Common drive of motor units in regulation of muscle force. Trends Neurosci 17(7):299–305

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diemont B, Maranza Figini M, Orizio C, Perini R, Veicsteinas A (1988) Spectral analysis of muscular sound at low and high contraction level. Int J Biomed Comput 23:161–175

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Enoka RM, Stuart DG (1992) Neurobiology of muscle fatigue. J Appl Physiol 72(5):1631–1648

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erim Z, De Luca CJ, Mineo K, Aoki T (1996) Rank-ordered regulation of motor units. Muscle Nerve 19:563–573

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Esposito F, Orizio C, Veicsteinas A (1998) Electromyogram and mechanomyogram changes in fresh and fatigued muscle during sustained contraction in men. Eur J Appl Physiol 78:494–501

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fallentin N, Jorgensen K, Simonsen EB (1993) Motor unit recruitment during prolonged isometric contractions. Eur J Appl Physiol 67:335–341

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farina D, Fosci M, Merletti R (2002) Motor unit recruitment strategies investigated by surface EMG variables J Appl Physiol 92:235–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Freund HJ (1983) Motor unit and muscle activity in voluntary motor control. Physiol Rev 63:387–436

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gamet D, Maton B (1989) The fatigability of two agonistic muscles in human isometric voluntary submaximal contraction: an EMG study. I. Assessment of muscular fatigue by means of surface EMG. Eur J Appl Physiol 58:361–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldenberg MS, Yack HJ, Cerny FJ, Burton HW (1991) Acoustic myography as an indicator of force during sustained contractions of a small hand muscle. J Appl Physiol 70(1):87–91

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon G, Holbourn HS (1948) The sounds from single motor units in a contracting muscle. J Physiol (Lond) 107:456–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimby L (1986) Single motor unit discharge during voluntary contraction and locomotion. In: Jones NL, McCartney N, McComas RJ (eds) Human muscle power. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill., pp 111–122

  • Hermens HJ, v. Bruggen TAM, Baten CTM, Rutten WLC, Boom HBK (1992) The median frequency of the surface EMG power spectrum in relation to motor unit firing and action potential properties. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2:15–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Homberg V, Reiners K, Hefter H, Freund HJ (1986) The muscle activity spectrum: spectral analysis of muscle force as an estimation of overall motor unit activity. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 63:209–222

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson MA, Polgar R, Weightman D, Appleton D (1973) Data on the distribution of fibre types in thirty-six human muscles. An autopsy study. J Neurol Sci 173(18):111–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamen G, Roy A (2000) Motor unit synchronization in young and elderly adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 81:403–410

    Google Scholar 

  • Keidel M, Keidel W-D (1989) The computer-vibromyography as a biometric progress in studying muscle function. Biomedizinische Technik 34:107–116

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krogh-Lund C, Jorgensen K (1993) Myoelectric fatigue manifestations revised: power spectrum, conduction velocity and amplitude of human elbow flexor muscles during isolated and repetitive endurance contractions at 30% maximal voluntary contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 66:161–173

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kukulka CG, Clamann HP (1981) Comparison of the recruitment and discharge properties of motor units in human brachial biceps and adductor pollicis during isometric contractions. Brain Res 219:45–55

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lammert O, Jorgensen F, Einer-Jensen N (1976) Accelerometermyography (AMG) I: method for measuring mechanical vibrations from isometrically contracted muscles. Biomechanics V-A, Park Press, Baltimore University, pp 152–156

  • Marsden CD, Meadows JC, Merton PA (1983) "Muscular wisdom" that minimizes fatigue during prolonged effort in man: peak rates of motoneuron discharge and slowing of discharge during fatigue. In: Desmedt JE (ed) Advances in neurology. Raven, New York, pp 169–212

  • Moritani T, Muro M (1987) Motor unit activity and surface electromyogram power spectrum during increasing force of contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 56(3):260–265

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C (1992) Sound myogram and EMG cross-spectrum during exhausting isometric contractions in humans. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2:141–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C (1993) Muscle sound: bases for the introduction of a mechanomyographic signal in muscle studies. Crit Rev in Biomed Eng 21(3):201–243

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C (2000) Muscle fatigue monitored by the force, surface mechanomyogram and EMG. In: Nigg BM, MacIntosh BR, Mester J (eds) Mechanics and biology of movement, Chapter 21. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill., pp 409–433

  • Orizio C, Veicsteinas A (1992) Soundmyogram analysis during sustained maximal voluntary contraction in sprinters and long distance runners. Int J Sports Med 13(8):594–599

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C, Perini R, Veicsteinas A (1989) Muscular sound and force relationship during isometric contraction in man. Eur J Appl Physiol 58:528–533

    Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C, Perini R, Diemont B, Maranzana Figini M, Veicsteinas A (1990) Spectral analysis of muscular sound during isometric contraction of biceps brachii. J Appl Physiol 68(2):508–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C, Perini R, Diemont B, Veicsteinas A (1992) Muscle sound and electromyogram spectrum analysis during exhausting contractions in man. Eur J Appl Physiol 65:1–7

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C, Solomonow M, Baratta R, Veicsteinas A (1993) Influence of motor units recruitment and firing rate on the soundmyogram and EMG characteristics in cat gastrocnemius. J Electryogr Kinesiol 2(4):232–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C, Liberati D, Locatelli C, De Grandis D, Veicsteinas A (1996) Surface mechanomyogram reflects muscle fibres twitches summation. J Biomech 29(4):475–481

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C, Baratta R, Zhou BH, Solomonow M, Veicsteinas A (1999) Force and surface mechanomyogram relationship in cat gastrocnemius. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 9:131–140

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orizio C, Baratta RV, Zhou BH, Solomonow M, Veicsteinas A (2000) Force and surface mechanomyogram frequency responses in cat gastrocnemius. J Biomech 33:427–433

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oster G (1984) Muscle sounds. Sci Am 250:80–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Oster G, Jaffe JS (1980) Low frequency sounds from sustained contractions of human skeletal muscle. Biophys J 30:119–128

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Partridge LD, Benton LA (1981) Muscle the motor. In: Brookhart JM, Mountcastle VB, Brooks VB (eds) Handbook of physiology, section 1. The nervous system II. Motor control, part 1. American Physiological Society, Bethesda, Md., pp 43–106

  • Petitjean M, Maton B (1995) Phonomyogram from single motor units during voluntary isometric contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 71:215–222

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriquez AA, Agre JC, Knudtson ER, Franke TM, Ng AV (1993) Acoustic myography compared to electromyography during isometric fatigue and recovery. Muscle Nerve 16(2):188–192

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriquez AA, Agre JC, Franke TM, Swiggum ER, Curt JT (1996) Acoustic myography during isometric fatigue in postpolio and control subjects. Muscle Nerve 19:384–387

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roeleveld K, van Engelen BG, Stegeman DF (2000) Possible mechanisms of muscle cramp from temporal and spatial surface EMG characteristics. J Appl Physiol 88(5):1698–1706

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sale DG (1987) Influence of exercise and training on motor unit activation. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 15:95–151

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez J, Solomonow M, Baratta R, D'Ambrosia R (1993) Control strategies of the elbow antagonist muscle pair during two types of increasing isometric contraction. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 3:33–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Shinoara M, Kouzaki M, Yoshihisa T, Fukunaga T (1998) Mechanomyogram from the different heads of the quadriceps muscle during incremental knee extension. Eur J Appl Physiol 78:289–295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stiles R, Pham D (1991) In: Proceedings IEEE-EMBS, 13th Annual International Conference. IEEE, New York, pp 946–947

  • Stokes MJ, Blythe M (2001) Muscle sounds in physiology, sports science and clinical investigation. Applications and history of mechanomyography. Medintel Monographs, Oxford

  • Yoshitake Y, Moritani T (1999) The muscle sound properties of different muscle fiber types during voluntary and electrically induced contractions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 9:209–217

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zwarts MJ, Keidel M (1991) Relationship between electrical and vibratory output of muscle during voluntary contraction and fatigue. Muscle Nerve 14:756–761

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by "Centro di Studio e Ricerca di Fisiologia Muscolare e dello Sport" of Brescia University (Italy) and by the European Shared cost project NEW-Neuromuscular assessment in Elderly Worker (QLRT-2000–00139). The experiments comply with the current Italian laws.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologie, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana, Università di Brescia, Italy

    Claudio Orizio, Massimiliano Gobbo, Bertrand Diemont & Fabio Esposito

  2. Cattedra di Fisiologia, Facoltà di Scienze Motorie, Università di Milano, Italy

    Arsenio Veicsteinas

Authors
  1. Claudio Orizio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Massimiliano Gobbo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bertrand Diemont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fabio Esposito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Arsenio Veicsteinas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudio Orizio.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Orizio, C., Gobbo, M., Diemont, B. et al. The surface mechanomyogram as a tool to describe the influence of fatigue on biceps brachii motor unit activation strategy. Historical basis and novel evidence. Eur J Appl Physiol 90, 326–336 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0924-1

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0924-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation