Analysis of EMG activity in biceps and triceps muscle in an uppoer extremity gross motor task under the influence of auditory rhythm

Author(s): Schleiffers, S., Davis, W., biceps-muscles, triceps-muscles.

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1991; 28: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. National Association for Music therapy 8455 Colesville Rd., Suite 930 20910 Silver Spring, Maryland USA. 64-88.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of auditory rhythm on muscle activity as measured by changes in electromyographic (EMG) patterns of two antagonist muscles (biceps vs. triceps). Subjects (n=24) performed a gross motor task under pre/post test conditions with bipolar surface EMG electrodes attached to the head of the medial triceps and the belly of the biceps brachii. The task consisted of repeated down- and upswings of the arm and hitting a target pad on completion of the downswing with the ulnar side of the hand, clenched in a fist, and the wrist remaining in a neutral position. During the pretest all subjects performed the task following their internal rhythm. During the posttest, subjects were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) repeat task as in pretest (control group), perform task with auditory rhythm matched to internal tempo, and (c) perform task with auditory rhythm slower than internal tempo. Results revealed a significant decrease in variation of triceps EMG before target contact for the matched rhythm group.

Keyword(s): electromyography, muscle, muscle-function, muscle-tonus, auditory, rhythm, auditory-stimuli.

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