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Magnetomyography: magnetic fields around the human body produced by skeletal muscles

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David Cohen, Edward Givler · 1972

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Human muscles naturally generate measurable magnetic fields, but these are millions of times weaker than modern wireless device emissions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists in 1972 used a superconducting magnetometer in a shielded room to measure magnetic fields produced by human skeletal muscles, called magnetomyograms (MMGs). These muscle-generated magnetic fields come from the same electrical currents that create surface electromyograms (EMGs), but MMGs can detect slower electrical changes that EMGs cannot. The research measured these natural magnetic fields near the elbow and palm.

Why This Matters

This groundbreaking 1972 study represents one of the earliest scientific measurements of the human body's natural electromagnetic signature. What makes this research significant is that it demonstrates humans naturally generate measurable magnetic fields through normal muscle activity. The science shows our bodies are inherently bioelectrical systems, producing their own EMF signatures that can be detected with sensitive equipment. This foundational work helps us understand that we're not just passive recipients of external electromagnetic fields, but active generators of our own bioelectric environment. The reality is that this natural bioelectricity operates at extremely low levels compared to modern wireless devices. While your muscles produce detectable magnetic fields, these natural signals are millions of times weaker than the EMF exposure you receive from a cell phone held against your head.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
David Cohen, Edward Givler (1972). Magnetomyography: magnetic fields around the human body produced by skeletal muscles.
Show BibTeX
@article{magnetomyography_magnetic_fields_around_the_human_body_produced_by_skeletal_musc_g5953,
  author = {David Cohen and Edward Givler},
  title = {Magnetomyography: magnetic fields around the human body produced by skeletal muscles},
  year = {1972},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this 1972 study used a superconducting magnetometer in a heavily shielded room to successfully measure magnetic fields generated by human skeletal muscles. The equipment was sensitive enough to detect these extremely weak natural bioelectric signals.
Magnetomyograms (MMGs) measure magnetic fields from muscle activity, while electromyograms (EMGs) measure electrical signals. Both detect the same muscle currents, but MMGs can detect slowly changing or direct currents that EMGs cannot measure effectively.
Researchers measured magnetomyograms at locations near the elbow and the palm of the hand. These areas were chosen because they have accessible muscle groups that generate detectable magnetic field signatures during normal activity.
The magnetic fields produced by human muscles are extremely weak, requiring a heavily shielded room to block external electromagnetic interference. Without this shielding, the sensitive superconducting magnetometer would detect environmental EMF rather than the body's natural signals.
Yes, the researchers analyzed both the magnetomyogram signals themselves and their frequency spectra. This spectral analysis helps characterize the different frequency components present in the magnetic fields generated by muscle electrical activity.