Established and novel quantitative electromyographic techniques with potential for planning nerve transfer surgery: a pilot study.

Donor nerve health likely underlies much variability in nerve transfer outcomes. Standard electromyography (EMG) and clinical examination suffer from subjectivity and a lack of standardization when assessing nerve health. Quantitative electromyography promises to assess nerve health more accurately.

Motor unit number estimates and neuromuscular transmission in the tibialis anterior of master athletes: evidence that athletic older people are not spared from age-related motor unit remodeling.

Muscle motor unit numbers decrease markedly in old age, while remaining motor units are enlarged and can have reduced neuromuscular junction transmission stability. However, it is possible that regular intense physical activity throughout life can attenuate this remodeling. The aim of this study was to compare the number, size, and neuromuscular junction transmission stability of tibialis anterior (TA) motor units in healthy young and older men with those of exceptionally active master runners.

Motor unit number estimation: a technology and literature review.

Introduction: Numerous methods for motor unit number estimation (MUNE) have been developed. The objective of this article is to summarize and compare the major methods and the available data regarding their reproducibility, validity, application, refinement, and utility.

Methods: Using specified search criteria, a systematic review of the literature was performed.

Relationships between surface-detected EMG signals and motor unit activation.

Introduction: Surface-detected electromyographic (S-EMG) signals are used in exercise science to assess the extent of muscle activation, muscle fatigue, and neural activity during muscle contraction. However, the relationship has not been studied between S-EMG signal amplitude and motor unit activation at different muscle force levels.

Methods: S-EMG signals were measured from 76 healthy subjects during target force levels of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors over 20-30 s.