Francesco Redi was the first to recognize the connection between muscles and the generation of electricity. In 1666 there is documentation to show that an electric ray fish used a highly specialized muscle. In 1773 Walsh was able to demonstrate that the fish’s muscle could generate electricity. Alessandro Volta created a device that produced electricity to stimulate muscles. Luigi Galvani who is said to be the father of neurology, showed that electrical stimulation of the muscles produce contractions. In 1849, Emil du Bois-Reymond discovered that a person could record electrical activity during a voluntary muscle contraction. In 1890, the first recording of this activity was made by Etienne-Jules Marey. Marey also created the term electromyography. In 1922, Gasser and Erlanger used an oscilloscope to show the electrical signals from muscles. The capability of detecting electromyographic signals improved steadily from the 1930s through the 1950s, and researchers began to use improved electrodes more widely for the study of muscles (History of Electromyography).
A research area for EMG is the study the study of muscular function and co-ordination. This area of research is usually called kinesiological EMG. The purpose of kinesiological EMG is to investigate the functions of muscles in different movements and postures. Kinesiological EMG is observed while looking at healthy and disabled subjects, who can perform skilled actions and during training. It is done in humans and animals, in and out the laboratory setting. The feedback should allow for the optimization of movement, of sports materials, of training possibilities and, and sports performance (Result