Chandana Chitralekha

First Name: 
Chandana
Last Name: 
Chitralekha
Mentor: 
Dr. Manish Vaidya
Abstract: 
Surface electromyography (sEMG) technology allows researchers to examine the electrical activity in superficial muscles. The laboratory utilizes an sEMG device called the Flexdot, which connects with a mobile application to record electrical signals detected by surface electrodes placed on the muscle. The consensus view in electrical signaling and cardiology literature is that signaling in trunk muscles, such as the pectoralis major, is associated with heart activity and suggests that exercise facilitates effective signal detection in the pectoralis major. Hence, the participant rides a stationary bike to vary heart rate while ensuring reduced activity of muscles surrounding the pectoralis major. The current study compares flexions of the pectoralis major using the Flexdot with heart rate using a Fitbit. The correlation between these two responses is tested across four different two-minute conditions. Each condition is defined by a target heart rate range: a resting bike phase with the participant maintaining a heart rate of 85 beats per minute, a slow bike phase with the participant maintaining a heart rate of 104 beats per minute, a medium bike phase with the participant maintaining a heart rate of 130 beats per minute, and a fast bike phase with the participant maintaining a heart rate of 165 beats per minute. The measured peak amplitude range, low EMG value range, and number of peaks in the signal are then compared to the corresponding heart rate for each phase. From these findings, the regularity of oscillation can be determined and a contingency may, in turn, be established.
Poster: 
Investigating the Correlation Between Electrical Activity in the Pectoralis Major and Heart Rate