Date of Award

5-5-2017

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Exercise Science

Director of Thesis

Dr. Raymond Thompson

First Reader

Dr. Jaynesh Patel

Second Reader

Dr. Jaynesh Patel

Abstract

Technological advances permit the assessment of new variables, and over time miniaturize and make portable equipment that once was restricted research or clinical settings. Validation of the new equipment is essential before it can be used. This study compared Athos Wearable Technology to a standard form of electromyography (EMG). We hypothesized that Athos would produce a similar percent of MVIC data when compared to a standard EMG during a series of movements. Participants performed five movements, once while wearing the Athos pants, and once while wearing Noraxon Wireless EMG Electrodes on their vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and biceps femoris. The five movements were: bilateral hamstring curls, box step-ups leading with the left foot, box step-ups leading with the right foot, five steps of the Charleston dance, and then ten steps of the Grapevine. The order that the movements were performed was the same for both modes of measurement. The data were analyzed using Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and correlation analyses. The correlation results for the two forms of EMG ranged from r=-0.96 to r=0.96 indicating that relationship between the Athos suite and the Noraxon EMG were not consistent. Two-way Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the EMG output from the Athos suite and the Noraxon were significantly different for all measurements regardless of the movement performed. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the Athos EMG suite does not provide data consistent with a traditional EMG system, and thus is not an acceptable alternative form of EMG to be used in clinical, research, or training setting.

First Page

1

Last Page

17

Rights

© 2017, Sara DesMarais and Madeleine Giess

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