The Spectral Footprint of Neural Activity: How MUAP Properties and Spike Train Variability Shape sEMG

TL;DR

This paper explores how neural activity and muscle properties influence the spectral characteristics of surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals.

Contribution

The study introduces a framework and extractability indices to clarify how neural timing and muscle properties shape sEMG spectra.

Findings

MUAPs act as spectral filters, reducing components outside their bandwidth.

Temporal jitter spreads spectral energy and blunts frequency peaks.

Moderate synchronization improves spectral visibility, countering some jitter effects.

Abstract

Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals result from the interaction between motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) and neural spike trains, yet how specific features of spike timing shape the sEMG spectrum is not fully understood. Using a simplified convolutional model, we simulated sEMG by combining synthetic spike trains with MUAP templates, varying firing rate, temporal jitter, and motor unit synchronization to examine their effects on spectral characteristics. Rather than addressing a particular experimental condition such as fatigue or workload, the main goal of this study is to provide a framework that clarifies how variability in neural timing and muscle properties affects the observed sEMG spectrum. We introduce extractability indices to measure how clearly neural activity appears in the spectrum. Results show that MUAPs act as spectral filters, reducing components outside their bandwidth and limiting the detection of high firing rates. Temporal jitter spreads spectral energy and blunts frequency peaks, while moderate synchronization improves spectral visibility, partially countering jitter effects. These findings offer a reference for interpreting how neural and muscular factors shape sEMG signals, supporting a more informed use of spectral analysis in both experimental and applied neuromuscular studies.

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