The assessment of muscle strain with surface electromyograms during simulated mushroom picking

Muscle strain was assessed with surface EMG during simulated mushroom picking. Nine female subjects performed five periods of work (W1-W5). The duration of each period was about 20 min. W1, W2 and W3 were separated by a short break of several minutes. W3, W4 and W5 were separated by a rest period of about 43 min. EMGs were recorded from the muscles of trapezius, infraspinatus, deltoid and erector spinae muscles. Amplitude of EMG (AEMG) and mean power frequency (MPF) of EMG were calculated every minute. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for every 5 min. RPE increased during each work period and with the advance of W1-3. AEMG increased during some of the work periods in the trapezius and infraspinatus. AEMG decreased in a few of the work periods in the other muscles. MPF decreased during some of the work periods in the infraspinatus, deltoid and erector spinae. The increase of AEMG in the trapezius was interpreted as spare capacity for the work. The infraspinatus and deltoid were assessed to be more fatigued than the trapezius. The fatigue level of the erector spinae was low.