What does reduced recruitment mean in emg Decreased recruitment is found in ALS because there is less motor units able to respond due to the dying alpha motor neurons (in the spine). a graphical record of electric currents associated with muscle contractions Familiarity information: EMG used as a noun is very rare. Low Back Pain (LBP) not only is one of the most common causes of disability (1-3) and absence from work (4, 5), but also is reported as one of the major reasons of physician visits (3, 6, 7).