Biceps Muscular Failure sEMG Dataset

## Overview

The Biceps Muscular Failure sEMG Dataset (BMFD) was developed to support research on estimating proximity to muscular failure during resistance exercise using surface electromyography (sEMG). The central hypothesis is that sEMG signals recorded during sustained isometric contractions reflect the progressive accumulation of effort leading up to failure. This dataset enables the development of models that provide continuous, real-time estimates of how close an individual is to reaching muscular failure during a task.

## Participants and Protocol

Twelve male participants (mean age: 22.4 ± 2.1 years), all with at least two years of consistent resistance training experience, completed a structured protocol involving repeated isometric holds to failure. Each participant performed Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contractions (MVIC) to establish their individual strength baseline. Subsequently, they completed multiple isometric holds at 50% of their MVIC until failure. Muscular failure was defined as the point at which participants could no longer maintain a 90° elbow angle or dropped the load involuntarily. Each participant completed 8 holds per arm, yielding 192 total recordings (12 participants × 2 arms × 8 holds).

## Data Acquisition

sEMG signals were recorded using Cometa Pico sensors with a 2000 Hz sampling rate, and electrodes were positioned according to SENIAM guidelines. The recordings were trimmed to include only the duration of each isometric hold, from onset to failure.