Properties of Spike Potentials Detected by a Surface Electrode in Intact Human Muscle

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Abstract
A clearly discriminable train of spikes was detected by ordinary Ag disc electrodes fastened to the skin surface overlying m. vastus medialis during voluntary contraction in man. Some properties of these surface spikes were determined. Motor unit potentials detected by the inserted electrode located in the muscle closely under the fascia were synchronized with the surface spikes. The conduction velocity was around 3.5 m/s. A starting point of the excitation, i.e., end-plate, was located at a point 1/3 of the observed length from the distal end in this particular case. The conduction velocity showed a linear relationship with muscular temperature and Q10 .simeq. 2.0 at 17.degree.-31.degree. C. The amplitude of the surface spikes decreased monotonously with increasing distance between the source and electrode. Wave forms and threshold values were highly reproducible. Similar surface spikes were found in 6 other muscles in 1 subject and in the m. vastus medialis in 5 other subjects.

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