Comparison of Electromyographical Signal Analyses for Estimating Lactate Threshold

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

5-30-2018

Publication Title

Proceedings of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting

Abstract

Background: The relationship between the lactate and electromyographical (EMG) thresholds have previously been established via graded exercising testing during cycling. Currently, no published literature exists comparing the most appropriate and efficient filtering methods of EMG analyses to estimate the workload at which lactate threshold (LT) occurs.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate and compare EMG transformations and time windows to predict LT.

Methods: Participants (n=14) completed an incremental, maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer until exhaustion. Blood lactate was measured every minute, while EMG was recorded continuously at the site of the vastus lateralis. EMG signaling was then transformed and filtered using two time-segment windows (i.e., 10 and 60 seconds), as well as three signal conversions (i.e., root mean square, smoothing, and peak amplitude averaging).

Results: Results indicated no mean differences between the EMG thresholds, for any of the filtering methods or time-segment windows, when compared to the LT criterion. Significant moderate correlations were seen when comparing the lactate and EMG time-curves ranging from 0.69 - 0.79. Root mean square and Smoothing filters accurately indicated LT in 10 out of 14 participants; whereas peak amplitude averaging indicated LT for 11 out of 14 participants.

Conclusions: EMG may be a useful tool to estimate the work rate associated with LT. Averaging EMG over a minute of time and continual 10-second recordings demonstrate comparable readings and allow an easier application of EMG threshold in the field.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS