Links of interest in the sEMG and biomechanics fields.

This page contains links to web sites of Data Basis, Institutions, Research Centers/Groups, Associations and Foundations, Publishers, Journals, Encyclopedias and Companies operating in the field of surface electromyography. Please send requests of updating to [email protected].

Databases and EU resources

Academic societies, associations, institutions

The International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK) is a multidisciplinary organization composed of members from the health related and the engineering fields.
The International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) promotes the study of all areas of Biomechanics at the international level.
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM). ISPRM is the result of the merger of the International Rehabilitation Medicine Association (IRMA) and the International Federation of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (IFPMR). As non-governmental organization (NGO) in relation with the World Health Organization (WHO), as an international umbrella organization of rehabilitation physicians, and as a catalyst for international rehabilitation research, ISPRM has a humanitarian, civil societal, professional, and scientific mandate.
The mission of ESPRM is
- to be the leading scientific European Society for physicians in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) and,
- to improve the knowledge of fundamentals and the management of activities, participation and contextual factors of people with a disability and
- to improve and maintain a strong connection between research and clinical practice in PRM.
International Society of Biomechanics in Sport Primary Purposes:
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas for sports biomechanics researchers, coaches and teachers,
- To bridge the gap between researchers and practitioners,
- To gather and disseminate information and materials on biomechanics in sports.
The purpose of ESMAC (European Society of Movement Analysis for Adults and Children) is to stimulate and advance scientific knowledge, professional interaction and the exchange of ideas among Society members relating to movement analysis in adults and children in clinical and research settings. ESMAC is multidisciplinary by nature, mainly interacting clinical and bioengineering disciplines, and ranging from basic sciences to applied practices. Our members are orthopaedic surgeons, physiatrist, physiotherapists, human movement scientists, biomechanical and biomedical engineers; as well as many others.
NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The goal of ergonomics is to prevent soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by sudden or sustained exposure to force, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture. To create an ergonomically sound work environment, NIOSH ergonomists and industrial hygienists recommend designing tasks, work spaces, controls, displays, tools, lighting, and equipment to fit employeeís physical capabilities and limitations.
ENMC - European NeuroMuscular Centre. Most neuromuscular disorders are rare (orphan) diseases, meaning that fewer than 1 in 2000 people are affected. They all cause a weakening of muscles, which leads to serious disability and are often life-threatening. Because of this, international collaboration is extremely important†to accelerate our knowledge and discovery of new medicines in the field of neuromuscular diseases.
SINC - Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
SIMFER - Italian Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
SIAMOC - Italian Society of Movement Analysis in Clinic

Research groups

The Laboratory for Engineering of the Neuromuscular System (LISiN) is a research laboratory of the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications of the Politecnico di Torino and a reference for the study of the neuromuscular system in the world.
The Imperial Centre of Excellence in Neurotechnology is hosted by Imperial College’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering. It aims to foster collaborative research at the interface of neuroscience and engineering.
Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine) Appropriate identification of patient-specific interventions are a major priority and comprehensive assessments, taking into consideration the multidimensional nature of spinal pain, are warranted to inform safe and precise rehabilitation. Effective precision rehabilitation enables improved effectiveness (clinical and cost) as it identifies which patients to target with rehabilitation, when and how to target them; and therefore enables more effective use of rehabilitation resources.
The scientific expertise of the Department of Rehabilitation and Prevention Engineering, RPE, focuses on the development and implementation of new assistive technologies in order to prevent musculoskeletal dysfunction and restore motor function. The objective is the development of new processes and techniques to support doctors during diagnosis, therapy planning and evaluation by means of objective data.
Roessingh Research and Development Research Centre (RRD) is the biggest center in the Netherlands where a wide range of disciplines such as rehabilitation medicine, movement sciences, psychology, physiotherapy, biomedical sciences and computer sciences work together under a single roof on current and future innovations in rehabilitation and chronic care. As an internationally recognized scientific research institute, RRD occupies a unique position between the university and healthcare practice.
University of Brescia, Department of Biomedical Science and Biotechnologies
System Software Laboratory of the University of Maribor (SI) https://www.feri.uni-mb.si and https://storm.uni-mb.si
Institut de Recherche en Communications et CybernÈtique de Nantes (F)
I3S - Laboratoire de Informatique, Signaux et Systemes de Sophie Antipolis (F)
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of New Brunswick (Canada)
Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno Il laboratorio di ricerca in riabilitazione 2rLab nasce con líobiettivo di supportare la pratica clinica attraverso studi di efficacia degli interventi riabilitativi per le pi˘ diffuse patologie del sistema neuromuscolare. Inoltre sviluppa strumenti e metodi per la valutazione delle disabilit‡ motorie.
NIOH/AMI - National Danish Institute for Occupational Health
SPiQE is the brainchild of a collaboration between neurologists at Kingís College London and bioengineers at Imperial College London.†It combines the very latest in surface electrode technology with sophisticated spike-detection software.

Journals and Publishers

The Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology (JEK) (Elsevier) aims to provide a single, authoritative forum for the publication of original research and clinical studies on muscle contraction and human motion through combined or separate mechanical and electrical detection techniques. JEK is the primary source for outstanding original articles on the study of human movement from muscle contraction via its motor units and sensory system to integrated motion through mechanical and electrical detection techniques.
Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering
Journal of Biomechanics
Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation
Human Kinetics. Teaching material.
Muscle and Nerve ( Wiley, Journalhuide )
IEEE Press publisher
CRC Press publisher
John Wiley & sons publisher

Encyclopedias

Wiley Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering. Specific items on sEMG:
- Electromyography (EMG) Modeling, Electromyography (EMG) of Pelvic Floor Muscles,
- Electromyography (EMG), Surface, Electromyography (EMG), Electrodes and Equipment for, Myoelectric Manifestations of Muscle Fatigue, Neuromuscular Coordination in Gait, EMG Analysis of, Surface Electromyography (EMG) Signal Processing, History and Practice of Biofeedback
Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering is a unique source for rapidly evolving updates on topics that are at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering. The book covers an extensive range of topics related to biomedical engineering, including biomaterials, sensors, medical devices, imaging modalities and imaging processing. This important reference work serves many groups working at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering, including engineering students, biological science students, clinicians, and industrial researchers.

The SENIAM project (Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles) is a European concerted action in the Biomedical Health and Research Program (BIOMED II, 1997-1999) of the European Union. The SENIAM project resulted in European recommendations for sensors and sensor placement procedures and signal processing methods for SEMG, a set of simulation models for education and testing, a set of test signals, eight books, one CD, a number of publications and a European network for SEMG: the SENIAM club.
FutureHealth educational material on surface EMG.
Biofeedback Network and online biofeedback resources. Biofeedback is a learning process that helps you gain control of your bodyís responses to stress, anxiety, physical strain and emotional stimuli. Biofeedback is the use of instruments to reflect physiological conditions. With this information, a person may be able to effect change upon body areas previously not under volitional control. It can monitor muscle tension, heart-rate, blood pressure, peripheral blood flow (vasoconstriction) and galvanic skin response, EEG brain waves and others.