Age-Related Changes in Turn–Amplitude Characteristics of the EMG Recorded during Graded Isometric Contraction

• Published in: Human physiology Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 358 - 363
• Main Authors: Gerasimova, L. I., Varlamova, T. V., Antonen, E. G., Antropova, E. S., Meigal, A. Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2004
• ISSN: 0362-1197
• DOI: 10.1023/B:HUMP.0000029187.02972.f2

The number of turns, the mean amplitude, and the peak ratio of the electromyogram (EMG) recorded in m. biceps brachii at different levels of isometric contraction were analyzed in nine age groups (from 1 month to 72 years, N = 192). Regression equations describing the age-related changes in number of EMG turns and mean EMG amplitude were respectively y = -A(2.48 plus or minus 0.14) - M(1.32 plus or minus 0.17) + B(11.02 plus or minus 0.68) + (194.71 plus or minus 7.81) (P < 0.001) and y = -A(2.47 plus or minus 0.19) - M(1.87 plus or minus 0.23) + B(10.03 plus or minus 0.88) + (321.57 plus or minus 11.05) (P < 0.001), where A is the age, years; M is the body mass, kg; and B is the load, kg. With increasing age, the interference EMG tended to assume a so-called neurogenic form as a result of age-specific organization of motor functions at the segmental level.