On the suitability of using surface electrode placements to estimate muscle activity of the rotator cuff as recorded by intramuscular electrodes.
BACKGROUND
Electromyography (EMG) is commonly used to assess muscle activity. Although previous studies have had moderate success in predicting individual intramuscular muscle activity from surface electrodes, extensive data does not exist for the rotator cuff. This study aimed to determine how reliably surface electrodes represent rotator cuff activity during 20 maximal exertions.


METHODS
Five channels of EMG were recorded on the following rotator cuff muscles: supraspinatus and infraspinatus intramuscular and surface recordings, and teres minor intramuscular recordings. An additional 3 surface electrodes were placed over the upper and middle trapezius and posterior deltoid. Subjects performed ramped maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) for each muscle, followed by 20 isometric maximal exertions. Linear least squares best fit regressions (unconstrained and constrained with zero-intercept) were used to compare: intramuscular and surface supraspinatus and infraspinatus signals, respectively, and intramuscular teres minor and surface infraspinatus signals.


RESULTS
Relationships existed between wire and surface electrode measurements for all rotator cuff muscles: supraspinatus (r(2)=0.73); teres minor (r(2)=0.61); infraspinatus (r(2)=0.40), however prediction equations indicated large overestimations and offsets.


CONCLUSIONS
When appropriate multiplicative coefficients are considered, surface supraspinatus and infraspinatus electrodes may be used to estimate intramuscular supraspinatus and teres minor activations, respectively, in maximal exertions similar to those tested. However, until these relationships are better defined in other postures, intensities and exertion types, the use of surface electrodes to estimate indwelling rotator cuff activity is cautioned against.
Waite
Danielle L
DL
Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada N2L 3G1.
Brookham
Rebecca L
RL
Dickerson
Clark R
CR
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000502:physiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult