A high-resolution large-array (HRLA) SEMG system comprising 256 separa
te channels has been developed. SEMG signals are detected by a ''brace
let'' active electrode array connected to a stack of newly designed bi
opotential instrumentation amplifiers. A stand-alone data logger acqui
res and stores the array EMG activity at high sampling rates. A RISC m
ultiprocessor network supports computationally-intensive array signal
processing and analysis algorithms. In addition, an improved optoelect
ronic system the measurement of human body kinematics has been associa
ted to the HRLA SEMG system to provide the related mechanical characte
ristics of muscle activity. Analysis results demonstrate that high-res
olution muscle fibre conduction velocity histograms can be obtained ev
en from skeletal muscles in which a large number of motor units are si
multaneously activated.