Assessment of muscle load and fatigue with the usage of frequency and time-frequency analysis of the EMG signal

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the muscle load and fatigue on the values of the parameters calculated on the basis of the time, frequency (Fourier transform) and time-frequency (wavelet transform) analysis of the EMG signal, for low levels of load. Fifteen young men took part in the study. The EMG signal was registered from right side biceps brachii (BB) and trapezius (TR) muscles in static conditions, at load 10%, 20% and 30% MVC (maximal voluntary contraction). On the basis of the analysis there were selected parameters sensitive to force (RMS) and parameters sensitive to fatigue but simultaneously insensitive to force (MPF – mean power frequency determined on the basis of Fourier transform, CMPFdb5 – mean power frequency determined on the basis of the wavelet transform). The results indicate that CMPFdb5 can show similar (muscle BB) or greater (muscle TR) sensitivity to fatigue than MPF. It can suggest that, for low levels of load, the wavelet transform parameters can be more effective in assessing muscle fatigue than the parameters based on the Fourier transform. The obtained results can allow for a more precise analysis of muscle fatigue at low levels of load. Further analysis for a greater number of muscles activated at low levels of load, with the usage of the parameters tested is desirable.