Identification of muscle movements and activity by experimental methods for selected cases – stage#1

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to determine the position where the most activated and isolated individual muscles were. In the next steps, the selected limb positions will be used to determine the maximum values of isometric forces of the individual muscle heads based on the Hill model. Methods In order to determine the sought muscle activation, an electromyograph was used. Measurements of the isometric contraction were carried out for seven series of tests. Isometric contraction was performed as 100% MVC. Results For the long head of the biceps muscle, in the case of bending in the shoulder joint, selected angle of 75 degrees, and for abduction in the shoulder joint, the angle of 90 degrees. Internal rotation in the shoulder joint was omitted because of lower activation values. For the short head of the biceps muscle, the angle characterized by the greatest activity of the head, is the angle of 115 degrees in flexion at the elbow joint. The selected angle is 30 degrees for shoulder extension and 110 degrees for shoulder adduction. For the lateral head of the triceps brachial muscle, measurements showed that the angle at which the lateral head is most activated is 115 degrees. Conclusions The presented research and results concern one specific person for whom a personalized numerical model will be developed. The performed tests can also be a preliminary assessment of the upper limb positions, for which wider conclusions could be drawn in the case of measurements on a larger number of participants.