ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the application of Electromyography (EMG) to the study of neuromuscular performance. It also describes the relationship between physiological and recorded EMG signals. The chapter provides an understanding of how the fidelity of the recorded EMG signal may be influenced by factors intrinsic to the muscle and by factors that may be controlled by the test administrator. The contributions of intrinsic factors are largely immutable and some would be expected to add to the background experimental error or noise associated with the measurement of the recorded EMG signal. The chapter discusses selected characteristics of the EMG recording instrumentation. The separation of surface EMG electrodes determines the degree of localisation of the detected signal and its susceptibility to cross-talk. The chapter evaluates the value and limitations of using EMG in the assessment of temporal neuromuscular control. It also discusses factors affecting the validity and reliability of measurements that are derived from EMG techniques.
