Developing Synthetic Parameters Using Frequency Band Ratios for Muscle Fatigue Analysis During Isometric Contractions by Using Shoulder Muscles

Abstract

This study aimed to develop new parameters for electromyography (EMG)-based muscle fatigue assessments. First, various combinations of frequency band parameters, including the high-frequency band (HFB: >95 Hz), medium-frequency band (MFB: 46–95 Hz), and low-frequency band (LFB: 15–45 Hz), were assessed to evaluate the fatigue detection performance of individual parameters during isometric muscle contractions. The experimental design involved applying three force levels (30%, 40%, and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction) and targeting three muscles (upper trapezius, mid-deltoid, and pectoralis major) due to their relevance in shoulder load postures associated with musculoskeletal disorders. A total of 15 participants were involved in this study. The effectiveness of each parameter was assessed through response sensitivity evaluations. Through these evaluations, we confirmed that the previously mentioned individual frequency bands, along with the proposed H/(M + L) frequency band, exhibited high statistical significance and sensitivity under various experimental conditions. Specifically, our findings demonstrated that the H/(M + L) frequency band effectively assessed fatigue levels with high sensitivity and accuracy at low force levels during static isometric contractions. Overall, these results are expected to improve the accuracy of evaluations of individual shoulder muscle fatigue, thereby reducing the risk of shoulder injuries.