title: EMG computerized analysis of localized fatigue in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
abstract: EMG power spectra obtained during a sustained isometric contraction were analyzed in a group of 10 children affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and compared with those obtained in a control group of 5 normal children. In myopathic subjects the isometric contraction caused an increase of the total power, a progressive increase of power of the lower frequencies, a decrease of that of the higher frequencies, and a shift downward of the median frequency. In normal children an increase of the total power without a significant median frequency shift was noted. The modifications observed in DMD children were explained by a decrement of the firing rate of the more damaged fast twitch motor units. This decrease was probably induced by a relative predominance of activity of the slow twitch motor units, which are less damaged by the pathological process.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*