Stress-Strain Response of Muscle Fibers in Biceps Brachii under Dynamic Force: An Analysis of Biceps Curl Exercise

Abstract

One of the most important features of endurance training was to increase the weight of the dumbbells between sets. According to the relationship of the contractile force in the muscles, the porpuse was to increase muscle growth by gaining more contractile force. Previous studies had generally examined muscle behavior under maximum force. However, the relationship between increased dumbbell weight and muscle contraction was not fully investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical behaviors resulting from the application of dynamic forces that occur during the dumbbell curl exercise on muscle fibers. In this study, biceps brachii muscle force during biceps curl exercise performed with two different weights (5kg and 10kg) was calculated. Then, a finite element model was developed and mechanical behaviors in the biceps muscle fiber during exercise were investigated. It was achieved that there was no linear correlation between dumbbell weight and muscle force. It was observed that when dumbbell weights were doubled (100%), the maximum muscle force and deformation increased by 83.13% and 84.92%, respectively. The results showed that increasing excessive weight during exercises will not be as beneficial for muscle development as expected.