Ergonomics Workplace Analysis

Prof. Urmi R. Salve

Department of Design
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati

Lecture - 07
Assessment of Physical and Cognitive Work with Psychophysiological Methods

Hello all welcome back to one more lecture. Today we will be talking about various
assessments for physical as well as cognitive work through psychophysiological
methods. So, from last few lectures we whatever we discussed we talked about physical
workload, mental workload. Now, there are lots of subjective assessment tools we used.
Now, here in this particular lecture we will be talking about more of instruments.

So, here we will be describing the basics of those instruments: how we are going to use it
and what are the interpretations of those instruments and then we will be taking you to
the lab for the experimental setup.

(Refer Slide Time: 01:26)

So, what we are going to do over here? Very important and commonly known measuring
method is EMG which is normally in use whenever we are doing movement analysis.
EMG is very popular of course. This is a purely medical instrument where we are
recording the bio-signals and then we are trying to understand how the work place is
interacting with the human being and what interacting methods are there and how those
activity or work is affecting the physiological behavior.
So, we will be talking about EMG, we will be talking about EEG; also we have many
others we will be naming few, but due to time constraint we may not elaborate on all
these such as electrocardiogram, eye tracking, skin conductance and temperature all
these. These are very much instrument specific measurement and method. We will
explain some of these but due to time constraint.

EMG is very popular and commonly used. It is not about the popularity, it is very much
useful in terms of data collection whenever the human body is active for a particular
activity. Take example, suppose somebody is working in a shop floor using their forearm
or trunk. So, how much force is required, how much they are getting exerted, if those
group of muscles are developing fatigue etc.

How? What is the nature of that fatigue development or how the movement is
happening? All these things when we want to learn, subjective response is definitely very
important. Here we will be talking about instrumental measurement. So, numeric values
of those potential generation and then how we are going to interpret that for
understanding. So, suppose you developed a product where it needs to be held for some
minute or some hours right to for that particular operation.

So, how you are going to analyze or tell or confirm that this particular instrument or this
particular product actually reducing the physiological effort. Because what is the aim of
this particular subject ergonomics? That reducing effort manual effort while doing the
job on the same time we want to keep the productivity on the higher side. So, when we
are talking about all those things, when we say that manual effort has been reduced or
people are feeling less discomfort or less fatigue.

How you are going to prove it? Subjective response is one where we need this objective
measurement. So, EMG is one of that which is very important.
(Refer Slide Time: 05:06)

So, I will be taking you for EMG first and then slowly others. So, EMG is an
experimental technique of course. It is an experimental technique concerned with the
development recording analysis of myoelectric signal. So, what is myoelectric signal? In
the muscle when the electrical potential is getting generated how we are going to
measure those signal, we will be calling it is myoelectric signal.

So, what we are doing? We are trying to understand where it is getting developed, how it
is getting recorded and analysis of those recording. So, myoelectric signals are formed by
physiological variation in the state of muscle fibre membranes. So, if you really would
like to do the EMG for your experiment, I would request you to go through the muscle
physiology; we discussed it in very short in earlier slides.

But it will be very good that if you study in detail. So, mainly there are two types of
EMG that we normally record: one is classical neurological EMG and another is
kinesiological EMG. Kinesiological EMG is very important in terms of an ergonomic
study. Classical neurological EMG normally we are using these type of facility or data
for the medical purposes.

So, to understand the muscle movement of a particular injured muscle and how it is
getting rehabilitated and all those things. For ergonomics kinesiological EMG will be
very important and we will be practicing that.
(Refer Slide Time: 06:56)

So, let us understand how it evolved and how we are using it. In 1929; so, it is you do
understand, it is a very old method or old concept. In 1929 Bronk, he tried to understand
the muscle activity with the concentric needle electrode. He only developed this one of
course, Adrian also one of the author with him. So, he mentioned that he tried to
understand the high mechanical qualities and stable reproducible measurement.

Suppose you are doing a particular movement closing a door. When you are closing a
door how your biceps muscles are working. So, the same movement you can reproduce
and you can reproduce the same kind of measurement through EMG. So, he developed
this particular technique. Of course, the kind of instrument is required that also we can
have in numbers. So, replacement of galvanometer with high gain amplifiers allowed, the
smaller electrodes with higher impedance to be used and potential or smaller amplitude
to be recorded.

So, this is the changes. So, in the beginning what used to happen; there used to be big
galvanometer and then slowly it is being replaced by the all these high gain amplifiers.
So, we have such recorders which can understand those recording and can amplify and it
becomes very easy for the observer or the researcher to understand the nature frequency
and other phenomena of that particular group of muscles when it is in working condition
or in static condition.
So, slowly once that revolution happened that it became more quantitative in nature.
Previously it was more of a qualitative analysis like nature, how it is working, is there
any peak or not how long it is holding all those things but slowly it becomes very
quantitative in nature. So, what it says that it came as a potential duration, peak to peak
amplitude. So, these are the modification in the instruments. So, because of the
development of various good mechanism instruments can really measure all these values.

What peak to peak amplitude, number of phases where measurement know those things
we can measure. So, from last one decade what we are trying to do that, we have lot of
ergonomically sophistically designed system. Even now-a-days we have some system
which is wireless. So, you are putting the electrodes within a certain distance we can
really measure how the muscle groups are or our target muscles are working.

So, we are actually not disturbing the person who is working on the field. So, these types
of systems now are in market and people are using in various research laboratories.

(Refer Slide Time: 10:36)

So, why we are using EMG as a measure system, what is the benefit of it? First we look
directly into the muscle movement or muscle activity which is very important as far as
ergonomics and physiological concepts are concerned.

So, when we are talking about physical movement; definitely physical movement is
related to your muscle movement, motor movement. So, those cases you can directly see
through the muscles. So, measurements of muscular performance; how good this muscle
is, how strong this muscle is we can understand that muscular performance. Decision
making before and after surgery- this is purely a medical thing. Suppose you would like
to do a surgery for a particular group of muscle or particular area you would like to know
how the strength is being changing.

It may reduce, it may enhance; our intention is to enhance it. So, document the treatment
at training regime and like you know you are really calculating this was this on such and
such date and then it has been changed to this to such and such date. So, it is a medical
recording also we want to know the responses for different work and different activities.
There are varieties of work. How that particular group of muscle which is our target
maybe is responding for different varieties of work.

So, we can understand which one is strenuous job which one is not that much or
moderate or those calculations. So, these are the purpose where you should do EMG
study and you can find out your path. So, wherever you are right now if you have the
availability of the instrument you always try to implement these measurements for your
research purpose. This is very much quantitative in nature. So, it helps to make your
statement more confirm. So, that is very important.

(Refer Slide Time: 12:52)

Now, as from the similar to the previous slide here we I tried to mention that how the
EMG signals are being used. So, medical research, rehabilitation, sports and very
important ergonomics field. So, we are going to analyze the demand, we try to prevent
the risk, then ergonomic design when we are doing and we are trying to understand or we
are confirming this product is better than earlier one, this product is more efficient to
prove all those things we definitely need help of this EMG data.

(Refer Slide Time: 13:32)

Let us understand that when we are talking about EMG analysis how is the origin of
these signals. So, when we are talking about myocardium the signal generation is little
different where as in the skeletal muscles. The difference between the types of muscles
we discussed in previous presentations. So, in the skeletal muscles what happen; this it is
the whole movement; whole control is regulated by the central and peripheral nervous
system. So, there is an input, muscle contract and there is an output. This is the way how
the signal process. So, what is the main component? Here the main component
acetylcholine.

So, what it does? Motor neurons carry nerve impulses from the anterior horn cell of your
spinal cord to the nerve ending. So, once it reaches the nerve ending there is an action
potential trigger. So, these trigger what it does? It releases the acetylcholine into the
sarcolemma. Once the acetylcholine binds to the sarcolemma; acetylcholine sensitive
sodium channels open. Once sodium channel opens the miniature end plate potential
arise in the sarcolemma and then the further process starts.
So, if sufficient acetylcholine is released the summation of miniature end plate potential
arises the end plate potential. Normally we call it the excitation threshold. Suppose the
threshold point is here and the level of acetylcholine is here then there will be no
movement. So, threshold this release of acetylcholine should reach to this level. So, that
should be across of the action potential.

So, once it crosses the action potential then the nerve impulses propagated in the
direction towards the tendons. Crossing the threshold level is very important here. As I
mentioned that when it reaches that particular threshold limit there is an influx of
sodium. And, because there is an influx of sodium ion what happens? Depolarization
happens. Depolarization causes action potential to quickly change the voltage.

So, it was before minus 80 millivolt. It becomes positive because positive ions are
coming inside. So, what happens? It is a plus 30 millivolt. So, if that particular
phenomenon occurs then these changes starts taking place. So, if it is a monopolar
electrical burst and is immediately restored by the repolarization followed by an after
hyperpolarization because automatically so many things are going on to do that all. First
was the depolarization then repolarization.

So, when repolarization happens, lot of things goes out right. So, then what happens that
is the imbalance. So, starting from MEP the action potential spreads along the muscle
fibre through a tubercular system. This exciting leads to the release of now calcium ion
and this cause the chemical process. We call it is excitation contraction coupling or EC
coupling. So, this model of linking EC coupling represents a highly correlated
relationship, it can be assumed that in a healthy skeletal muscle any form of muscular
contraction is accompanied by this particular mechanism.

So, this is definitely will be there when there is a muscle contraction- this is the process.
Now, signal is generated. How it will be processed or how did it will propagate? The
EMG signal is based upon action potential at the muscle fibre membrane resulting from
depolarization and repolarization process. The extent of the depolarization zone is
described as approximately 1 to 3 millimetre square.

So, this is the value. There is a typing error. So, after initial excitation this zone travels
along the muscle fibre at a velocity of 2 to 6 metre per second. So, this is the kind of
velocity it maintains. Depending on the kind of movement we are doing this velocity can
also change.

(Refer Slide Time: 18:59)

Now, when we are talking about all these signal propagation, signal origin and all, let us
understand what are the varieties of signals are there and what is the composition of
those signal. So, first is the motor unit action potential very important. So, what it is?
Motor unit action potential of all active motor unit is detected by the defined electrode
are electrically superposed and can be considered as a bipolar signals with symmetric
distribution of positive and negative amplitude. It is called an interference pattern.

So, you need to understand this particular definition. Once you understand this definition
of motor unit action potential whenever you are analyzing the EMG signals this unit is
only you need to calculate and then further processed. So, from a particular active motor
unit you will get this potential.
(Refer Slide Time: 20:04)

Next is recruitment and firing frequency. So, these are the composition of the signals. So,
magnitude and density of the observed signals are influenced by the properties of
recruitment and firing frequency. So, what is recruitment? What is firing frequency? You
need to really understand these concepts. So, these control the adjustment process of
contraction mechanism and before output of the involved muscles. So, once the force
output happen then you need to really adjust the process of the contraction mechanism.
So, here important thing is human connective tissues and skin layer have a very low pass
filter effect. So, skin has its own resistance.

So, what happened if there is a signal generates in the muscle and we are trying to
measure that using our surface electrode when it process it values are changed. The
analyzed firing frequency is not exactly the same as we are recording as it is generated in
the origin because if you have more subcutaneous fat you have that the signal that you
are recording is less. So, you have to take care of this you have to understand these
aspects when you are talking know measuring this thing.
(Refer Slide Time: 21:39)

So, let us also understand the kind of nature we have in the EMG first is very important
is the raw EMG signal. So, what it is by the name raw signals we can understand it is
unfiltered we are not doing the filtration. So, unfiltered unprocessed signal detect the
super superposed motor unit action potential we call it as raw EMG signal. So, when the
muscle is relaxed, more or less noise free EMG base line can be seen. We will be talking
about noise later. The raw EMG baseline noise depends on few factors: one is quality of
EMG amplifier. We will talk about amplifier the kind of environmental noise we have
and the quality of given detection condition. So, all these things we will be discussing in
the next two slides.

So, these are the factors which actually affect the kind of raw signal we are getting.
(Refer Slide Time: 22:54)

Here we seriously need to understand the kind of impact or influencing factor we have
when we are recording EMG and we are analyzing it and when interpreting it. First is
tissue characteristics because it is actually have lot of impact on when we are collecting
the data. So, human body of course, it is an electrical conductor and it is dependent on
the tissue type, thickness, physiological changes and the temperature of these are the
major factors.

So, these conditions have a huge variability within and among the subject. So, maybe the
same subject for morning and afternoon the type of tissue or the tissues physiology will
be different on the same time a male and female tissue characteristics will be different. In
the same gender or same muscle group the connectivity and all those things will be
different. So, it is very important you should understand that and then you process your
signal.

So, direct quantitative comparison of EMG amplitude parameters calculated on the

unprocessed EMG signal is really not possible. So, always you need to do a proper
processing. So, as I mentioned earlier if you have more subcutaneous fat you may you
will not get the kind of amplitude you are getting with from a person who has less
subcutaneous fat. So, then we really cannot compare this raw signal and the second raw
signal. So, we need to really process it and then only we can interpret the data.
(Refer Slide Time: 24:55)

Here very important topic is physiological cross talk. What it is. Suppose there is another
physiological signal you are recording, it may have cross discussion or cross noise. So, it
is very important when we are talking about EMG signal. What it says? That a
significant amount of EMG produced by nearby muscles can be detected. Suppose you
are talking about recording of biceps muscles. In the arm biceps is not the only muscle
you have surrounding other muscles. So, when you are doing a particular movement
where bicep muscle is major you can definitely recording the raw signal for biceps
muscle.

But the other surrounding muscles also have some effect on that particular signal. So,
you really need to understand that you need to really eliminate that. So, the suggestion is
it should not exceed ten to 15 percent of total or overall signal content. Precautions
should be taken for narrow arrangement. So, when you are preparing the subject, when
you are getting up the electrodes or you are arranging the whole process you should be
very careful and clear what you would like to do. So, that is very important also
sometimes it happens at ECG spikes has an impact with the EMG recording if you are
doing it with the trunk or shoulder.

Because when you are talking about ECG it is placed on your left chest right various
position of your left chest now the same kind of electrodes also you are using for your
EMG maybe for shoulder and trunk. So, there may be a chance where these signals are
getting a cross talk. So, definitely you should be very careful when you are doing this
type of multiple arrangements. Next is change in geometry between muscle belly and
electrode side.

So, how to place an electrode on the muscle belly how to identify that what is the actual
geometrical location of it is very important. Because, if do that there will be an impact
and you will not get a proper result or whatever result you are getting it may not give you
a correct decision for this particular EMG analysis.

(Refer Slide Time: 27:40)

Very important is external noise. So, when we are talking about a particular this type of
recording you have to have a environmental noise free setup where you have only the
recording from your EMG electrodes not from the external processor or an external
electrical influence. Another important factor is electrode and amplifier. So, the signal
contents of the EMG baseline may be influenced by the selection of quality of the
electrodes and the kind of internal amplifier your using because it may have extra noise
which may affect your result.
(Refer Slide Time: 28:29)

Now, when we are talking about all this we should also understand the kind of electrode
we are going to use because this is the sensor through which we are going to collect our
data very important here in ergonomics field normally we are using surface electrode.
So, surface electrode normally used for kinesiological study that is the major interest for
an ergonomist. However, it has a lot of limitations. Like as the name says that surface
electrode, so, you cannot really take data for the deeper muscles. For that you need fine
wire electrode for needle electrode which is an invasive method. This needs lot of
medical supervision and many other issues such as ethical permission and all those
things. It is very difficult and also it requires a lot of elaborate set up. So, normally we do
not do it, we try to do the data collection through surface EMG. So, you need to be very
careful about that.
(Refer Slide Time: 29:51)

Now, when we are talking about the surface EMG we have few varieties. Mainly silver
chloride pre gelled electrodes we normally use and the good feature of this particular
electrode it is disposable. So, you are really maintaining your hygiene. You put a gel you
collect your data you remove that electrode and throw it. There is no chance of further
use. But we have something which is adhesive gel electrode which is again like you can
reuse. But here the positive point is the position. Suppose you a placed a particular
electrode on a particular muscle belly, but you found no this position is not correct.

So, you can remove and you can again replace it. So, it has that particular facility and it
gives quite similar result. Of course, it is suggested you identify the belly first very
carefully and then put your electrode. So, it will be easy for data collection and error free
data collection. So, that is important.
(Refer Slide Time: 31:10)

So, we have fine wire electrodes, but normally we try to avoid because as I mentioned
earlier it is an invasive method, but of course, for a very specific type of experiment we
may need it to use it. But definitely it needs a very different skill set. So, while using you
should be very careful.

(Refer Slide Time: 31:38)

Now, when we are talking about electrodes let us have some guideline which is being
quoted by various researchers and it is being published by different authors. So, what I
tried to do or gather all the varieties of guidelines available for selection or use of
electrodes. So, it will be useful when you are trying to use electrode and identify or
record the EMG signal.

So, what it says? First important point is best skin impedance value can be obtained
through wet gel electrode. So, they are suggesting that wet gel electrodes. So, use of
small electrodes can increase the selectivity of measure by avoiding crosstalk. If the
dimension or diameter of that particular electrode is very small, of course, it will collect
data only for that particular muscle belly. It will not have a chance for a cross talk. So, it
is suggested that always try to use small electrode. It gives better perfect result the
smaller the electrode is the detection area is very easy and it has high impedance value.

Further it says the closest possible inter electrode distance should be chosen to increase
the selectivity. So, the general recommendation for inter electrode distance is two
centimeter. So, if you are doing this you should see that one point to another. Again it is
a centre point. So, it should be two centimeter. So, electrodes are to be applied in parallel
to the muscle fiber direction. So, if muscle fibers are lined like horizontally then you
should put your electrodes like this not this or diagonal order. So, it should be parallel to
the muscle fiber.

(Refer Slide Time: 33:51)

Best selectivity of the most dominant middle portion of the muscle belly should be used.
What I am trying to mention from the beginning that muscle belly is the best position for
positioning of your electrode. The region of motor point should be avoided as far as
possible because motor point creates lot of other obstruction and noise. So, electrode side
should remain on the active muscle during muscle shortening of muscle contraction. You
should know how the muscle is actually having the orientation when the muscle is active.

So, once you understand that when place that electrode, a map system with measured
distance between the electrode side and dominant anatomical landmark must be used. So,
as I mentioned that you should see the muscle movement earlier you identify and you do
a proper marking and then use it electrodes with decentralized snap or cable connection
should be used if increased pressure on electrodes is expected. So, that is the
recommendation. So, these are the normal general recommendations when you are
placing your electrodes or you are using your electrode.

(Refer Slide Time: 35:20)

Now, when we are talking about electrodes we are collecting our data, let us understand
how the signals are getting amplified. So, amplifier has a big role in this particular EMG
signal processing assignments. So, the origin of these particular myosignals, when we
record it, if you want to see it or visualize it or you want to interpret it you need to have a
detailed description. If you really checking the amplitude frequency nature you should
realize it you should understand it, but it is really not possible the nature is very small.
So, for that that we have amplifiers and it help for analysis it only help for your analysis.

So, these are differential amplifiers normally we used for EMG signal these are used to
visit and eliminate artifacts. So, differential amplification cancels external influences by
calculating the potential differences between the electrodes. So, it is very important.
Generally external noise signal reach both electrodes with no face shift these common
mode signals are equal in phase and amplitude. So, common mode signals are equal in
phase and amplitude thus common mode gain represents the input output relationship of
that particular common mode signal.

So, when we are using this we need to understand these amplifiers and based on that we
are going to use it. So, EMG preamplifier is very common term and we are using it.

(Refer Slide Time: 37:14)

Very frequently we say that this type of EMG preamplifiers if we are using we will get a
better result. So, it is these are typically inbuilt the cables and it is positioned on the top
of the active electrode. So, whatever the electrodes you are there which one is the active
one it is placed just top of it. So, what it does this preamplifier types create a bulky
electrode detection side with increased risk of pressure. Here again a problem like as it is
placed on the top of the electrode it creates a pressure and also do not allow free
selection of electrodes side.

So, but still we prefer to use the EMG preamplifier that is very important. Now here one
major objective what we consider is that when we are using small EMG preamplifier
which is located near the detection side is early pickup of the signal and transmit it on a
low ohm level. So, it becomes less sensitive to the movement artifact. So, this way we
rectify it and we use this one.
(Refer Slide Time: 38:49)

Now, when we are talking about surface EMG we are not talking about needle electrodes
we are talking about EMG recording is the using surface electrode and you are going to
place that electrode on your skin surface.

So, how you are going to prepare that particular skin because if there is a lot of
obstruction, there is lot of noise then you will not get a proper result. So, skin preparation
is very important for the quality EMG. So, let us understand what are the types or
varieties are available and how you should do it.

(Refer Slide Time: 39:41)

So, target test condition and exercise is another important factor. So, when we are talking
about that particular group of muscle or particular muscle where you are going to do the
testing you should do the proper exercise you should understand that which movement
you are going to collect.

So, if this exercise consists of somewhat static or low motion movement and the basic
analysis idea is qualitative in nature a simple alcohol cleaning may be sufficient. So, if
you want to say it has been increased, it is good or it is more than previous one this type
of qualitative analysis if you would like to do here the frequency is going to hold for
sometimes.

So, this type of analysis if you are doing to do in that case normal alcohol cleaning is
sufficient. But if you are doing it in very dynamic condition suppose somebody is
running somebody is playing and you would like to understand the muscle activity. Then
cleaning is very important because, then your electrode should be placed properly and it
should not have any disturbance because it has lot this will any way other noises are
involved already as it is dynamic in nature.

(Refer Slide Time: 41:10)

So, that is important. So, first step always is removing the hair normally we have that
extra thing which we can remove and then we can have better conductivity. So, it in like
what it does like you know it this sweat it goes off then definitely for dynamic movement
it is very important if you have hair cells then this hair follicle actually effect
conductance.

So, that is important now you have different cleaning alternative. So, first method is
special abrasive and conductive cleaning paste that is available you can apply on the skin
and you can remove the dead skin. So, it improves the conductor and it reduces the
impedance and it cleans the dirt and sweat of that particular surface.

(Refer Slide Time: 42:13)

So, that is one. The second is very fine sand papers are available. So, with soft and
controlled pressure if you rub it on the particular area for 3 to 4 times and followed by
alcohol cleaning will be good. So, you can do that also. Another thing is if you have
some textile or kind of cotton. So, you can put alcohol which is little rough and with the
control pressure as previous one.

You can rub on the skin and then you can clean your skin now here all this method for
skill based. So, whenever doing all this may be first time you are not perfect. So, you
have to keep on practicing. When you are going for your own actual data collection what
is the suggestion you practice this particular process cleaning placing of electrode
identifying that particular muscle. And, all those things you practice it 4-5 times at your
laboratory and then only you go for your actual data collection because once you collect
your actual data there is no chance for repeat right.
This is very much skill based job. So, as many times you will be practicing you will
master on that particular process.

(Refer Slide Time: 43:42)

So, what are the signal check procedures we have? We can do impedance test. So, what
it says to verify this skin impedance condition the Ohm resistance between the electrode
where we are going to measure. So, this is an unnecessary test for beginners and required
for sophisticated research study. What does it mean sophisticated research studies? It
means that when you have lot of comparison, lot of analytical data for your study there
you may really need this type of test impedance test.

So, generally the application area needs about 5 minutes to reach a stable electrical
condition. So, as soon as you put your electrode you should not start the data collection
you wait, you see how the impedance happens, is there any change or not. Once it is
stable you start your date collections. So, this is very important. Further there is a
recommendation that within the first minute a decrease of electrical resistance over 50
percent can be observed.

So, once that 50 percent decrement happened then you can say fine it is going to start,
now your prepare yourself and you start your data collection.
(Refer Slide Time: 45:13)

Then also you should check the EMG baseline quality. So, if the baseline quality is not
properly as per the standard then you should do all the arrangements and you can restart
your process. So, most important step for this is visual investigation of the raw EMG
baseline. So, again it is a skill, it is an experience. At first time you will not be able to
understand. So, with consultation of your the experts you can understand which one is
correct, which one is not correct and as long you will continue the data collection you
will be expert yourself.

So, again visual understanding of the raw EMG signal is very important. So, the
amplifier generally picks up a smaller signal lesser than a few millions of a volt or
microvolt. So, this sensitive signal is easily influenced by the external source because we
have lot of artifact. So, you should understand what is there any artifact or not, if it is
there how to eliminate it.

So, after connecting the electrodes to the preamplifier the raw EMG trace is of each
channel should undergo a detailed inspection when it is visualized or when it is imposed
on the computer; you check it and then you take a decision yes we are going to start our
data collection. So, baseline inspection is very important.
(Refer Slide Time: 46:56)

Now, how you are going to do the test? First one is baseline noise. It is not possible to
get a complete noise free recording because it is just not possible. But if it is very high
you have to find how you can remove that extra noise. So, some amount of noise is
always acceptable, but you have to understand what the limit of it is. Based on your
research objective, based on the kind of data you are looking for you are the decision
maker how much is acceptable, how much is not.

Of course, there is a specific guideline that this much is really not acceptable that you
have to understand. So, what it says that 10 to 15 microvolts it should not exceed. So, it
is acceptable that average 1 to 3.5 microvolts is inacceptable range.

So, you should check that and you can start your data collection.
(Refer Slide Time: 48:08)

Another point is baseline offset. So, first one is baseline noise then baseline offset. So,
most amplifiers are accompanied by an auto offset correction. However, sometimes
EMG baseline shifts away from true zero line. So, then you have to do that check and
you have to come back to the zero where EMG raw EMG signal is equal to almost zero
that you have to identify. Third one is baseline shift the baseline before and after
contraction has to constantly remain at zero. So, before and after it should come to the
zero so, that you have to check.

(Refer Slide Time: 48:59)

Now, there are lots of artifacts you should understand; first one is interfering the power
hum, baseline offset, baseline shift and ECG artifact. As I mentioned earlier also ECG
artifact is very important many times for trunk and shoulder muscle group or nearby
muscle group.

(Refer Slide Time: 49:17)

So, full wave rectification. So, let us understand the processing. When we gathered our
data how we are going to process. So, how the processing happens, how we are going to
interpret it. So, in this particular step all negative amplitudes are converted to positive
amplitude by moving up the negatives spike to plus. So, this is the zero line we have
these values, we are shifting from this lower value to up. So, this is way how we are
converting the negative values to the positive.

So, this step provides the advantages of easier reading like you can read it easily;
however, the main effect is that standard amplitude parameters like mean, peak, max
value and the kind of area you are covering can be applied to a particular curve. So, that
is very important.
(Refer Slide Time: 50:18)

Then next processing is smoothing. So, these are lot of things are available: lot of peak
lot of disturbance and lot the raw signal, but you need to keep a smoothing nature. What
it does? So, the actual set of recruited motor unit where is within the diameter of
available motor unit constantly. Also, the way the motor unit is motor unit action
potential super posed is not very specific. Thus, the interference pattern of EMG is of
random nature. So, when we are talking about all this signals whatever we are receiving
as a linear envelope. So, there are two algorithms available at present for this particular
purpose you should follow that and you should use that for you smoothening of the
thing.
(Refer Slide Time: 51:19)

So, first one is moving average and another is root mean square. So, these are the two
parameter or variable that you are going to use for your smoothing of data. So, what it
says that this particular parameter that moving average or Movag we call it is based on a
user defined time window. Certain amounts of data are averaged using a technique called
gliding window. It is also called as average rectified value AVR. So, many times in
EMG data analysis when you are publishing data AVR is a very frequently used variable
and you are comparing that. So, this you are using for rectifying this particular signal.

So, this also referred as an estimator of the amplitude behaviour. The second one is root
mean square. This is based on the square root of root calculation. So, root means square
represents the mean power of the signal and is generally the preferred method of
smoothing. So, root mean square if you open up any particular journal papers especially
in the field of ergonomics you will find RMS value to compare or to explain the nature
of the EMG signal. So, this is also very frequently used variable.
(Refer Slide Time: 52:59)

Now, next is digital filtering. So, after smoothing you have digital filtering. What it
does? So, any additional filtering is not needed in regular kinesiological EMG studies
which are performed with modern amplifier technology, we have that particular system
inbuilt; only for the bandpass amplifier we do not have this particular facility. So, when
you are going to use your instrument, please confirm how these filters are and how these
amplifiers are; so, based on that you need to do.

So, scientific recommendation for research deny the requirements of narrow band
setting, they do not say that you set the band in narrow set the target is to measure. The
EMG in a full band length that is 10 to 500 Hertz any type of notch filter is not
preferable as it destroy too much of EMG signal power.

So, always you should accept the other. Biofeedback unit is working with heavily
preprocessed signal also should not be used for scientific studies because, once you are
free processing it too much then you are actually losing the originality or original nature
of the particular signal or particular data. So, it is not recommended. So, you should
remember all those thing.
(Refer Slide Time: 54:36)

Amplitude normalization; so, here maximum voluntary contraction is very important.

What it says that when your muscle you are contracting how much maximum contraction
you can do. So, that is maximum voluntary contraction, you should understand that you
should record it and that you can compare with your percentage value of the working
one. So, MVC contractions are performed against static resistance to truly produce a
maximum in innervations, a very good fixation of all involved signal is very important
ok.

So, when you are talking about MVC recruitment of other muscle group is strictly
prohibited. So, you should arrange the setup in such a way that, that particular group of
muscles only you are recording. So, normal subjects may have problems producing a true
MVC contraction level not being used to such efforts.

So, if you are not having that kind of subject, subject means participants or voluntary you
should not use it; one more thing is to enable the average curves. It is recommended to
perform the amplitude normalization based on smooth rectified EMG to mean value
found within each test, exercise or trial.
(Refer Slide Time: 56:05)

So, for that particular case you should process it. So, this is mainly done to gain a
reduction of variability expressed in smaller coefficient of variance. This leads to
statistical benefit because finally, what we do? Once we collect our data we process our
data, we identify our data we are going to do statistical treatment.

So, this is suggested if we do all these then only you will be able to process our data
through statistical treatment. So, reduce standard deviation range is required. So, for that
we need to follow this.

(Refer Slide Time: 56:50)

Now, when we are done with our whole recording processing, we need to understand
what it is so analysis. Few questions I have jotted down here apart from that based on
your requirement you can quantify and you can do your further processing. So, first thing
what you try to understand is the muscle active or not, is the muscle activity more or less
than previous or than intervention program than before or those entire things? When is
the muscle is active, how much is the muscle activity or how much is the percentage,
how what is the percentage of activity of total MVC?

Does the muscle get fatigue or not? So, all these are the types of analysis we normally
do, but these are only few. Apart from that you have many more for when you are
analyzing EMG. So, of course, you are going to collect your data, process your data,
process your EMG signal and then finally, analyze your data based on your research
question.

(Refer Slide Time: 58:22)

So, for today this is and these are the books again I followed for this particular lecture
you can refer; apart from that many other books are available that also you can refer; of
course, this is not easy job. Whenever you are trying to do EMG analysis, EMG data
collection it needs lot of skill set, lot of experience. So, many more trials are important
whenever you are doing the EMG data collection or EMG studies. So, prepare yourself
based on this particular lecture, I will take you to the lab and then we will see how the
normal process happens. Of course, that keeps on changing based on the types of
instrument you are using, types of electrodes you are using and the situation or context
you are using that particular method right. So, please follow and if you have any doubt
come back to us for your query.

(Refer Slide Time: 59:30)

Welcome everyone to the lab session of ergonomic workplace evaluation, today we will
show you one of the important instrument that is called EMG. This particular module is
(Refer Time: 59:32) Trigno wireless EMG. The benefit of the wireless EMG is the
sensors which can be taken away from the instrument. Other than these instruments
consists of a charging system and USB to connect with the computer.
(Refer Slide Time: 59:49)

And there is a dedicated software system. Another thing is required that is the skin
preparation tool, but for our demonstration we are not showing that. So, to start the EMG
analysis we have to first identify the muscles. For identifying muscles there are muscle
maps available. Otherwise there is simple process from which we can identify the muscle
for example, here we are doing a biceps.

(Refer Slide Time: 60:15)

So, for that, as we know the biceps constricts when we flex our forearms. So, when a
forearm is flex, you can see the bicep muscle and we can feel the belly of the muscle. So,
along the axis of the muscle you have to place the sensor and keep it tight with the tape.
And, then there is an arrow (Refer Time: 60:39) in the sensor which will be along the
muscle axis then you can switch on the sensor.

(Refer Slide Time: 60:50)

And do the required steps in the software and then you can run this test. You can see the
reading of the muscle.

(Refer Slide Time: 60:57)

See the activity of the load. So, run time depending on your work you can fix separately
you can keep it 20 second, 30 second anything you want. So, that is for a singular run
time you can and you can save it for later application. And, there is analysis option, you
can analyze it later according to your research topic.