Intra-session and inter-day reliability of forearm surface EMG during varying hand grip forces

Abstract Surface electromyography (EMG) is widely used to evaluate forearm muscle function and predict hand grip forces; however, there is a lack of literature on its intra-session and inter-day reliability. The aim of this study was to determine reliability of surface EMG of finger and wrist flexor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of electromyography and kinesiology 2013-02, Vol.23 (1), p.216-222
Main Authors: Hashemi Oskouei, Alireza, Paulin, Michael G, Carman, Allan B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Electromyography - methods
EMG
Female
Forearm - physiology
Hand - physiology
Hand grip
Hand Strength - physiology
Humans
ICC
Male
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Physical Exertion - physiology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Reliability
Reproducibility of Results
SEM
Sensitivity and Specificity
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Summary:Abstract Surface electromyography (EMG) is widely used to evaluate forearm muscle function and predict hand grip forces; however, there is a lack of literature on its intra-session and inter-day reliability. The aim of this study was to determine reliability of surface EMG of finger and wrist flexor muscles across varying grip forces. Surface EMG was measured from six forearm flexor muscles of 23 healthy adults. Eleven of these subjects undertook inter-day test–retest. Six repetitions of five randomized isometric grip forces between 0% and 80% of maximum force (MVC) were recorded and normalized to MVC. Intra- and inter-day reliability were calculated through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Normalized EMG produced excellent intra-session ICC of 0.90 when repeated measurements were averaged. Intra-session SEM was low at low grip forces, however, corresponding normalized SEM was high (23–45%) due to the small magnitude of EMG signals. This may limit the ability to evaluate finer forearm muscle function and hand grip forces in daily tasks. Combining EMG of functionally related muscles improved intra-session SEM, improving within-subject reliability without taking multiple measurements. Removing and replacing electrodes inter-day produced poor ICC (ICC < 0.50) but did not substantially affect SEM.
ISSN:1050-6411
1873-5711
DOI:10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.08.011