EMG changes in respiratory and skeletal muscles during isometric contraction under normoxic, hypoxemic, or ischemic conditions

The consequences of general hypoxemia (PaO 2 = 51 mmHg) on two muscle groups (adductor pollicis and diaphragm) sustaining 80% maximal isometric voluntary contraction were studied in healthy individuals. For adductor pollicis, contractions were also executed after 10−s or 3−min rest ischemia. Compared to control, i.e., normoxic, sustained isometric workloads, significant shortening of endurance time occurred only when adductor pollicis contracted under hypoxemic conditions. In both muscle groups, a 3‐min ischemia test as well as hypoxemia reduced the rate of changes in integrated surface EMG in a low frequency band and lowered, or did not modify, the rate of change in the high above low frequency ratio. Recovery of normal patterns of EMG changes was prolonged only after the adductor pollicis contracted under hypoxemic conditions. The present data show that both hypoxemia and prolonged rest ischemia reduced the rate of changes in quantitative EMG activity, with the more significant effects being measured under hypoxemia. © 1994 John & Sons, Inc.