The effects of electrode placement and innervation zone location on the electromyographic amplitude and mean power frequency versus isometric torque relationships for the vastus lateralis muscle

The purposes of this investigation were to examine the effects of electrode placement and innervation zone (IZ) location on: (a) the torque-related patterns of responses for absolute and normalized electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) and (b) the mean absolute and normalized EMG amplitude and MPF values. In addition, the present study examined the variability between subjects for the location of the IZ for the vastus lateralis (VL). Eight men (mean ± SD age = 23.0 ± 4.3 yr) performed submaximal to maximal isometric muscle actions of the dominant leg extensors. During each muscle action, fifteen channels of bipolar surface EMG signals were detected from the vastus lateralis using a linear electrode array aligned with the long axis of the muscle fibers. The results indicated that there were differences among channels 1–15 for the patterns of responses and mean values for absolute and normalized EMG amplitude and MPF versus isometric torque. Thus, normalized EMG amplitude and MPF values from different individuals cannot be compared if the EMG signals were detected from different locations over the muscle. In addition, absolute and relative (to femur length) estimates of IZ location for the VL resulted in similar inter-subject variability.