Muscle Activity Monitoring via Mechanomyography Using Soft 3D-Printed Piezoelectric Sensors
Suppelt M, Latsch B, Seiler J, Mansour FN, Herbst F, Schaumann S, Suppelt S, Graffe S, Beckerle P, Kupnik M (2026)
Publication Type: Conference contribution
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Conference Proceedings Title: Proceedings of IEEE Sensors
Event location: Vancouver
ISBN: 9798331544676
DOI: 10.1109/SENSORS59705.2025.11330377
Abstract
Non-invasive muscle activity and fatigue monitoring is typically conducted using surface electromyography (EMG). While EMG is widespread, it is prone to electromagnetic interference. Alternatives such as mechanomyography (MMG) have lacked suitable piezoelectric sensors for wearable integration. We present an MMG approach using flexible, 3D-printed ferroelectrets that capture lateral muscle vibrations of the musculus biceps brachii contraction. During the experimental investigation, seven participants performed isometric holds with incremental loads as well as sustained fatigue tests. Both EMG and MMG demonstrate increasing amplitudes across load and time, indicating rising muscle activation and signs of fatigue, respectively. MMG's mean power frequency exhibits a load-induced shift toward higher frequencies, outperforming EMG as an indicator with little to no shift. Our findings demonstrate that EMG is the preferred metric for quantifying gross activation, whereas MMG provides an early spectral marker of fast-twitch fiber recruitment. The results confirm that ferroelectret-based MMG is a viable, non-invasive alternative or complement to EMG for muscle activity and fatigue assessment. The customizable sensors enable seamless integration into wearable systems for applications in rehabilitation, prosthetics, and human-machine interaction.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Suppelt, M., Latsch, B., Seiler, J., Mansour, F.N., Herbst, F., Schaumann, S.,... Kupnik, M. (2026). Muscle Activity Monitoring via Mechanomyography Using Soft 3D-Printed Piezoelectric Sensors. In Proceedings of IEEE Sensors. Vancouver, CA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
MLA:
Suppelt, Mark, et al. "Muscle Activity Monitoring via Mechanomyography Using Soft 3D-Printed Piezoelectric Sensors." Proceedings of the 2025 IEEE SENSORS, Vancouver Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2026.
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