Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
EMG Academy
Electromyography (EMG) for Rehabilitation and Performance
Electromyography (EMG) can be a powerful tool to enhance our understanding of muscle function.
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Course overview
-
Part Time -
2 days -
30-31 May 2026 -
On campus -
Day 1: 09:00-16:30, Day 2: 09:00-15:00 -
£375 per person
About the programme
Electromyography (EMG) can be a powerful tool to enhance our understanding of muscle function. It can contribute rich and objective data on parameters such as the extent and timing of muscle activation, inter-muscle co-ordination, and motor unit behaviour. These data can support clinical decision-making and help guide effective rehabilitation and conditioning interventions.
There is far more to EMG than simple biofeedback; collecting high-quality, interpretable signals demands appropriate equipment, correct electrode placement, and sound procedural technique. Becoming proficient in EMG requires knowledge, training and practice, and many quick-use. Commercially available systems can give the false impression of simplicity, often resulting in inaccurate, unreliable, and ultimately unusable data.
To address these challenges and ensure that clinicians and coaches can skillfully acquire EMG and translate the data to accurately inform their practice, we have developed a focused, practical workshop.
This 2-day expert-led workshop is especially designed for practitioners working with patients, athletes and clients who want to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills in EMG.
You will gain the essential knowledge and skills to:
- Understand what EMG is - and what it is not
- Collect high-quality, reliable EMG data
- Interpret EMG signals in the context of exercise and movement
- Select appropriate EMG indices for clinical or performance practice
- Troubleshoot common EMG challenges
- Evaluate the strengths and limitations of commercially available EMG systems
Application Deadline:
15 May 2026
Programme content
- What is EMG, What EMG isn't
- EMG Signal Fundamentals and Signal Processing
- EMG Hardware and Equipment (research-grade vs. commercial systems)
- Surface EMG (sEMG) Procedures
- EMG Data Collection
- EMG Data Processing and Analysis
- Applications of EMG
- Practical skills training
- Application of sEMG during exercise: 'how to' and data interpretation
- sEMG and Muscle Fatigue
Indicative Timetable
- 09:00-10:00 | Taught Session: Fundamentals of neuromuscular physiology, including muscle contraction mechanisms. Introduction to electromyography (EMG): what it is, how it works, and an overview of EMG measurement techniques, from intramuscular to surface and high-density EMG
- 10:00-11:00 | Lab/Gym Session: Demonstration of skin preparation and electrode placement. Hands-on practical covering skin preparation, electrode placement techniques, and the influence of anatomy, muscle migration, and placement guidelines
- 11:00-13:00 | Taught Session: Understanding what EMG can - and cannot tell us. Key considerations for EMG data collection, including sampling rate, noise, and signal quality
- 13:00-14:00 | Lunch
- 14:00-15:00 | Taught Session: Applied discussion of EMG interpretation and practical limitations in clinical and performance contexts
- 15:00-16:30 | Lab/Gym Session: Mini data collection session focusing on selected muscles, with practical exploration of EMG setup and signal acquisition
- 09:00-10:00 | Taught Session: Recap of Day 1 and introduction to EMG signal processing fundamentals, including filtering, rectification, normalisation, RMS, integrated EMG, and onset/offset timing. Plus, what’s most useful for practice and why?
- 10:00-12:00 | Lab/Gym Session: Introduction to high-density surface EMG (HDsEMG) for assessing regional muscle activity and differential EMG. Applications and demonstrations, followed by a guided mini data collection using a case study approach (e.g. fatigue-related assessment). Isometric tasks only, with rationale explained. Inclusion of commercially-available EMG systems for data capture and their critical evaluation
- 12:00-13:00 | Lunch
- 13:00-15:00 | Taught and Lab/Gym Session: Clinical applications of EMG, integrating taught concepts with practical examples and discussion
Programme Facilitators and Bios
Josh is a Senior Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Biomechanics in the Carnegie School of Sport. His research interests include muscle-tendon mechanics, chronic neuromuscular responses to loading, injury, and rehabilitation, as well as the accuracy and reliability of measurement techniques in biomechanics.
Having completed his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Sport and Exercise Science and Sport and Exercise Biomechanics, respectively, Josh remained at Leeds Beckett for his PhD, which investigated muscle-tendon neural and mechanical function during cycling. During his PhD studies, Josh undertook a full-time role as Lecturer in the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University in September 2020, before moving permanently to Senior Lecturer in September 2021. As part of his role, Josh delivers Applied Biomechanics services through the Health and Performance Hub to local sports clubs, focussing primarily on isokinetic strength measurements during rehabilitation.
Josh is currently the Course Leader for MSc Biomechanics of Human Movement, MSc Sport and Exercise Science, and PG Cert Musculoskeletal Biomechanics.
Gareth is a Course Director in Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences in the Carnegie School of Sport. Gareth leads the Neuromuscular Biomechanics module which is delivered to students on the MSc Biomechanics of Human Movement, MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine and PG Cert Musculoskeletal Biomechanics programmes. His research interests include muscle-tendon function, technological innovation in human movement and the neuromuscular responses to loading, injury and ageing. After completing a PhD examining the neuromuscular responses to different resistance training interventions, his research centres around return-to-play protocols and injury prevention as well as technological innovation in human movement. His most recent research utilises B-mode ultrasound and high-density electromyography to explore muscle fasciculations as an early biomarker in age-related decline.
Chris is a Senior Lecturer, and Level Lead for MSc Sports and Exercise Medicine, he gained his PhD in 2015 and since then he has continued to research, publish and supervise postgraduate (MRes and PhD) students, investigating risk factors and aetiological mechanisms associated with sports injuries from a mechanistic perspective. Chris' primary research interests centre around Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury management in National Health Service settings, whilst also investigating how holistic sports science principles can be implemented to help improve performance and reduce injury risk in professional ballet.
Chris is a sports scientist by trade who has gone onto specialise in rehabilitation, injury risk and screening via the further qualifications he has studied and the experiences he has gained. Chris' expertise surrounds using scientific equipment such as isokinetic dynamometry, force plates, electromyography, and global positioning systems amongst others and how these can be used to monitor athletic performance, screen for injury risk and inform the rehabilitation process and safe and effective return to play of athletes.
Claire is a researcher and practitioner specialising in muscle function assessment, including EMG, strength testing, and applied dynamometry. Her work focuses on improving the accuracy, accessibility, and real-world usefulness of strength measurement across clinical, sporting, and research settings.
With a background spanning neuromuscular physiology, rehabilitation, and performance science, Claire’s interests focus on bridging the gap between laboratory-grade measurement and practical decision-making. She has contributed to the development, validation, and application of dynamometry and testing methods used by clinicians, researchers, and practitioners worldwide.
Claire is the founder of Get Back To Sport, an international, evidence-based education and training company supporting clinicians to enhance rehabilitation practice, and Which Dynamometer, an evidence-led platform designed to help professionals navigate the rapidly expanding dynamometry landscape. She is also Visiting Professor at Leeds Beckett.
Alongside her research and consultancy work, Claire is an experienced educator and speaker, known for translating complex measurement concepts into clear, actionable insights. She regularly collaborates with clinicians, industry partners, and researchers to advance best practice in muscle strength assessment.
This course is intended for practitioners in rehabilitation, performance and coaching settings who use, plan to implement, or are interested in furthering their understanding of electromyography (EMG) within practice.
It is suited to practitioners seeking to strengthen their theoretical understanding and applied use of EMG, supporting accurate interpretation and appropriate integration into assessment, exercise prescription and decision-making.
Your place is secure once payment has been made.
If you have any questions about the programme, please contact Professor Claire Minshull.
£375 per person
15 May 2026
