What electromyography is
Electromyography (EMG) measures the electrical signals muscles produce when they contract, usually alongside nerve conduction studies. It helps distinguish whether weakness or wasting originates in the muscle, the nerve, or the connection between them.
Why it matters for longevity
Age-related loss of muscle and strength — sarcopenia — involves both muscle fibres and the motor nerves that drive them. EMG can characterise this neuromuscular component and help rule out other causes of weakness that mimic ageing, complementing functional tests like grip strength.
What the evidence shows
EMG is a mature, validated clinical tool for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders. As a routine longevity or “muscle-ageing” screen it is not standard — it is invasive and specialised, reserved for specific diagnostic questions rather than general monitoring.
Bottom line
A precise diagnostic instrument for nerve-muscle problems; valuable when there's a specific neuromuscular question, not a routine longevity screen.