The spectrum of concentric macro EMG correlations. Part I. Normal subjects.

Using a concentric macro electrode, both the concentric and macro action potentials of a motor unit were analyzed for duration, area, and amplitude. Eighty-six different motor units were analyzed from the tibialis anterior muscle in 10 normal subjects. The aim of this work was to compare concentric and macro action potential measurements of the same motor unit. The study revealed significant correlations between concentric and macro samples, with the concentric potential's area correlating better with the macro potential than its amplitude. This shows that the 10 to 15 muscle fibers studied by the concentric electrode serve as a good sample of the motor unit as a whole. We briefly review the technique used in concentric macro EMG, as well as describe the methods used for collecting and comparing both concentric and macro action potentials.