Analysing Anthropometric Influences on Electromyographical Patterns in Selected Upper and Lower Limb Muscles: A Correlational Study

Surface electromyography (EMG) is widely used to evaluate neuromuscular activation; however, its signal quality can be influenced by individual anthropometric factors such as body weight, body mass index (BMI), and subcutaneous fat thickness. Despite evidence linking body composition to EMG amplitude, limited research has explored these relationships in trained athletes, particularly comparing load-bearing lower-limb muscles with non-load-bearing upper-limb muscles. This study investigated the relationship between body weight, BMI, and EMG-derived muscle activation parameters-maximum amplitude, maximum root mean square (RMS), and average amplitude in competitive male footballers. Forty inter-university male footballers (age 23 ± 0.94 years) underwent anthropometric assessment (weight, BMI) followed by maximum voluntary contractions (10 s MVCs) of three muscles: biceps brachii, rectus femoris, and lateral gastrocnemius. EMG signals were recorded using an IWorx EMG system, and Pearson’s correlation analysis was applied (p