Surface Electromyography (sEMG) has become an essential tool in various fields, including prosthetic control and clinical evaluation of the neuromusculoskeletal system. In recent years, the application of machine learning and deep learning techniques to sEMG signal classification has gained significant interest. This survey provides a detailed exploration of feature extraction methods for sEMG classification, from traditional handcrafted features to learned features.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of feature extraction techniques for sEMG signal classification, focusing on both handcrafted and learned features. It seeks to advance research by offering a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts in sEMG signal analysis, along with comparisons and summaries of state-of-the-art approaches.

The survey covers various feature extraction techniques used for sEMG classification, including signal acquisition, preprocessing, and the application of conventional machine learning and deep learning classifiers. It offers taxonomies, definitions, and performance comparisons, equipping researchers with a broad understanding of current methodologies.

Handcrafted features combined with traditional machine learning classifiers have demonstrated strong performance, especially with smaller datasets. However, deep learning techniques have shown superior results in many applications, despite challenges related to data availability and model interpretability. The survey highlights key findings regarding the performance of both approaches.

This study bridges the gap between traditional and learned feature extraction techniques for sEMG signal classification. It provides a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners, offering insights that can guide future advancements. Key areas for future research include addressing data scarcity in deep learning and improving model interpretability for clinical applications.