Week 4

Before mid term break, we have decided to use surface electrode. Below are the advantages and disadvantages between surface electrodes and fine wire electrodes. 

	SURFACE ELECTRODES	FINE WIRE ELECTRODES
ADVANTAGES	Minimal pain with application More reproducible Easy to apply Very good for movement application Provide a good indication of muscle activity with minimum impact / or discomfort to the subject	Increased band width More specific muscle parts of large muscles Ability to test small muscle which would be impossible to detect with a surface electrode due to cross talk
DISADVANTAGES	They have a large pick-up area Have more potential for cross talk from adjacent muscles. #cross talk is the recording of activity from a muscle, other than the one under investigation at the recording site	The needle insertion causes discomfort The discomfort can increase the tightness or spasticity in the muscles Cramping sometimes occurs The electrodes are less repeatable as it is very difficult to place the needle/fine wire in the same area of the muscle each time

Table 1