Effect of step and ramp static contractions on the median frequency of electromyograms of back muscles in humans.

The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyogram median frequency (MF) values from two contraction modes (ramp vs step) at different force levels of eight back muscles. A group of 20 healthy male subjects stood in a dynamometer with the trunk in a vertical position and performed trunk extension contractions using the displayed L5/S1 extension moment as visual feedback. The electromyogram (EMG) signals from four pairs of back muscles were collected at 4,096 Hz using active surface electrodes during two 7 s static ramp contractions ranging from 0% to 100% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and two 5 s static step contractions performed at five forces (10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% MVC). The root mean square (RMS) and MF of the EMG signals corresponding to 250 ms windows were computed at each force level for both contraction modes. The RMS from the ramp contractions were significantly higher than from the step contractions in six muscles. The corresponding MF showed a significant (alpha = 0.05) contraction mode x force interaction in four muscles. A significant contraction mode main effect was obtained in four muscles having higher MF during step than during ramp contractions. These differences were more obvious (10-15 Hz) and more frequent at the lower (10%, 20% and 40% MVC) forces. It was suggested that mechanisms not related to motor unit recruitment might influence MF in contraction modes. These unknown mechanisms contaminate any possible relationship between the MF measurements and muscle composition.