A New Approach to Muscle Evaluation Using Multichannel Surface EMG and Ultrasound Imaging

Abstract

In recent years, Sarcopenia caused by loss of muscle mass has become a problem.We need to measure Muscle mass to diagnose sarcopenia.Sarcopenia can be measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA).However, these methods have the problem such as high cost and very large.To solve this problem, we are investigating the use of ultrasound imaging and multichannel surface electromyography (EMG).Multichannel surface EMG can be acquired with a row of electrodes.This EMG provides a propagating wave that shows detailed information about the muscles.Therefore, we thought that a new evaluation standard could be created from multichannel surface EMG and ultrasound images.We compared propagating waves with ultrasound images.We confirmed that thick subcutaneous fat acquired fewer propagating waves and thick biceps had a faster propagation speed.The purpose of this study is to establish a new evaluation index for muscle.