Abstract

Background: The most basic and usual method of locomotion is human walking which corresponds to a motor activity of cyclic nature. Currently there is no Gold Standard algorithm for the detection of the onset of electromyographic activity (onset-EMG) in these motor activities. Objectives: To establish and compare the detection of burst onset and burst duration of electromyographic activity and subsequently functionally compare knee flexor-extensor coactivation by application of the Co- contraction Index (CCI). Methods: 21 amateur female runners were evaluated and electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis oblique and semitendinosus was acquired during normal walking cycles at a comfortable speed. Onset-EMG was established using Double Threshold Detection Method (DTDM) and Teager-Kaiser Energy Operator Method (TKEO), and ICC between both methods was established. Results: Burst onset was 0.142ms0.225s for MDTU and 0.2920.302s for TKEO. Burst length was 0.2330.456s for DTDM and 0.4540.273s for TKEO. The ICC had similar values with no significant differences (DTDM: 38.5710.13%, TKEO: 39.9115.73). Conclusions: Although there were differences in time and burst length between the two methods, this did not translate functionally. Although there were no statistically significant differences, they would be within ranges of possible clinical implication.