Methods for the Analysis of Surface EMG in Ergonomic Evaluations

摘要

In the study new methods and apparatus are proposed for the analysis of surface EMG for ergonomic field evaluations. The effects of muscular work on the musculo-skeletal system are reviewed, nature and generation of the EMG signals are analyzed and typical uses of EMG and modelling schemes previously applied are reviewed. A new model and method for the analysis of EMG is also proposed. In the method EMG activity is used for the descriptive analysis of local muscular strain applying nonlinear trend analysis for the decomposition of signals. The method aims to produce a descriptive parametrization of the EMG, which enables the classification of work done and identification of various potentially harmful work sequences, such as prolonged static work. Various parameters suitable for the classification of the decomposed EMG are proposed. The developed PC/AT-based measurement and analysis system is presented, which enables the use of the methods in practical studies. (Copyright (c) Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus (VTT) 1989.)