Electromyographic analysis of gait
Karol Andrea Gil Castillo
Estudiante de Ingeniería Biomédica
Universidad Autónoma de Occidente
Cali, Colombia
karol.gil@uao.edu.co - 2195523
Ashley Jhoanna Labrada Sinisterra
Estudiante de Ingeniería Biomédica
Universidad Autónoma de Occidente
Cali, Colombia
ashley.labrada@uao.edu.co - 2195412
Abstract— This report will present the work done in
Matlab, from the data obtained from the
electrooculogram program which come out of an
electromyogram in the lower part of the foot at the time
of walking. With these measurements and analysis it is
intended to observe the activation of the lower muscles
and detect if there are anomalies in the behavior.
Keywords - EMG, Gait, Anomalies, Muscle, Filter.
I. INTRODUCTION
Human walking is described as a set of alternating
and rhythmic movements of the lower limbs and
trunk, which allows the body to move through the
coordinated action of each of the components that
make up the human locomotor system. [1]
In the course of human growth, walking and
running is a mechanical learning that becomes
functional through the early stages of life, which
allows free movement from one place to another;
however despite being a vital function may occur in
some people conditions different from normal
determined by an electromyogram of the muscles and
their activations over time. [2]
Electromyography (EMG) consists of the
recording and analysis of electrical activity generated
in nerves and muscles through the use of electrodes
(invasive or noninvasive), these data extracted from
EMG provide important information about physiology
and muscle activation patterns. [3]
The properties of EMG signals in both the time
and frequency domain depend on factors such as the
time and intensity of muscle contraction, the distance
between the electrode and the area of muscle activity.
The signal quality depends on the ratio between the
measured signal and the noise unwanted by the
environment, which should maximize the signal
amplitude while minimizing the noise. [3]
II. METHODOLOGY
In order to take the signal, the time and amplitude of
activation of 3 leg muscles during certain gait
movements were studied. Initially, the patient was
prepared by cleaning the sites where the electrodes were
to be placed in order to avoid the generation of any type
of noise. In order to study the muscles involved in the
gait, the electrodes were positioned on the tibial, lateral
and medial gastrocnemius muscles. The ground
electrode was placed on the iliac crest as shown in the
following figures:
Figure 1. Position of the electrode on the tibialis anterior
Figure 2. Electrode position on the medial gastrocnemius
muscle
