EMG analysis for identifying walking patterns in healthy males

Electromyography (EMG) signals are the measure of biological potentials associated with the muscle activity. EMG signals acquired from the muscles are highly varying and random in nature that depends on the anatomical location and physiological properties of muscles. This paper investigated the muscle activation patterns during different phases of human walking by acquiring the surface EMG signals from the predominant lower limb muscles namely Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings (biceps femoris), Quadriceps (rectus femoris) and Soleus with the healthy subjects walking at two pace-normal and fast. Results showed that the time domain {Root Mean Square (RMS)} and the frequency domain {Median frequencies (MDF)} values of healthy subjects are inversely related to each other. Statistical analysis of the results showed a marked variation in the time domain characteristics of the EMG signals for Hamstring and Soleus muscles when walking pace varied. These findings would help to better understand the role of lower limb muscles when walking pace varies. This knowledge would aid in developing and designing EMG based control devices for physically challenged persons in field of rehabilitation.