Quantitative analysis of reflex responses in the averaged surface electromyogram.

The relationship between the averaged surface electromyogram (EMG) and the activity of motoneurones in reflex studies is analysed mathematically. This analysis reveals that, subject to certain conditions being met, the integral of the average of the unrectified EMG is linearly related to the activity of motor units in the muscle. This was tested with experimental data. The activity of 2 motor units, and the surface EMG, were recorded directly in a reflex paradigm. A close match was found between the integral of the average of the unrectified EMG and the summed peristimulus time histograms (PSTHs) of the units' activity. This analysis gives more quantitative measurements of the timing of motoneuronal activity in reflexes than the conventional analysis of the EMG. It also offers the potential for making quantitative measurements of changes in motor unit activity evoked by different stimuli. This analysis avoids the pitfall of the artefactual peaks that can occur in the average of the rectified EMG as a consequence of the full-wave rectification. It is concluded that the integral of the unrectified average offers a valuable adjunct to the conventional analysis in many reflex studies. The analysis can also be applied to quantitative studies of neurograms.