Blog
06 June 2023

The Benefits of Combining EMG and SmO2

Key Takeaways

1

The Moxy monitor is a device that measures muscle oxygenation levels (SmO₂) using Near InfraRed Spectroscopy in real time. SmO₂ can be used to analyze metabolic performance of the muscle.

2

Combing EMG and SmO₂ measurements can allow for fatigue mapping, increased training proficiency, and injury assessment.

3

Trigno Link allows users to combine Trigno Sensors with the Moxy monitor to obtain EMG and SmO₂ measurements. This allows users to understand the neuromuscular and metabolic demands of their intervention.

Combining critically important physiological data enables researchers to quantify an individual’s performance and wellbeing like never before. Trigno Link is the future of integration and offers a combined platform for measuring Trigno EMG, muscle oxygenation (SmO₂) from Moxy Monitor, VO₂, heart rate, and biomechanical responses to exercise and performance interventions. But, what does combining EMG and SmO₂ offer?

Explore the possibilities with Trigno Link where neuromuscular performance intersects with physiological responses.

How is Moxy Used?

Moxy is a tool that utilizes Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) to non-invasively assess the amount of oxygen saturated blood within specific muscles in real time. It is used to look at the percentage of oxygenated blood in a muscle (SmO₂%), which can be used to analyze metabolic performance of that muscle. Moxy also provides total hemoglobin (tHb) in a specific muscle, allowing coaches to analyze hemodynamics during training.

Moxy proves itself to be a reliable and accessible tool capable of providing the data necessary for coaches and athletes to elevate their training programs to the next level.

What is EMG?

EMG is an experimental technique, typically used within human movement assessments and performance monitoring, that involves the recording and analysis of the electrical signals that emanate from the muscles during contractions and force production.

By gaining insight into the status of muscular excitation, researchers, clinicians, sports practitioners, and engineers have been able to determine:

The level of muscular effort involved – gained from assessing the overall EMG signal amplitude.

Co-ordination between muscles – assessed by the activation timings of muscles.

The effects of muscle fatigue – an exploration of the frequency component of the EMG signal.

Neural control strategies – how is the brain adapting to training or external stimuli.

Why combine EMG and SmO₂?

Combining EMG and SmO₂ measurements can provide a more comprehensive analysis of muscle activation and oxygen utilization during physical activity. By combining these two measurements, you can get a better understanding of the relationship between muscle activation and oxygen utilization.

There are several benefits for integrating EMG and SmO₂, such as:

Fatigue Mapping

Multiple EMG and SmO₂ Sensors can be used to create a map of fatiguing patterns across the body for observation of any neuromuscular and metabolic changes in the body during peripheral

Increased training program efficiency

EMG and SmO₂ can be used to optimize training to a local muscular level by informing coaches and athletes of deficiencies and strengths of specific muscles, allowing for training to home in on specific areas for improvement.

Return-to-play

Determining the efficiency of a return-to-play program; dynamically adjust volume and intensity of a program to fit to an athletes rehabilitation needs.

Injury Assessment

Utilizing EMG and SmO₂ can be used together to assess and compare injured muscles to non-injured muscles on an athlete, allowing coaches to view the specific metabolic activity and biomechanics of the injury.

Overall, combining EMG and SmO₂ measurements can provide a more detailed analysis of muscle function and performance, which can be useful for athletes, trainers, and physical therapists.

Introducing Trigno Link

Integrating EMG and metabolic measurements has now never been easier!

Trigno Link is a cutting-edge tool combining perfectly time synchronized 3rd party physiological devices with our EMG through one unified Trigno software platform with Trigno Discover.