As the arm wrestling contestants begin the competition,
EMGs are generated to keep their muscles active
and move their forearms to pin the opponent to the table.
The muscles that become active will depend on whether
the contestant is winning, gaining the advantage by
pushing their opponent’s arm to the table; or losing,
being at a disadvantage when their arm is being pushed
towards the table. In either case, the muscles are
working to push against the other individual’s muscles.
In this lab, students will use arm wrestling to observe
and measure EMG activity while winning and losing at a
wrestling match. Electrodes will be placed on the Biceps
brachii (upper arm) and Pronator teres (forearm)
muscles to observe muscle action as different forces are
used to pin their opponent to the table.
As an additional set of exercises, the electrodes can
be moved to any of the sets of muscles used in arm
wrestling to gain an understanding of how these muscles
function while winning or losing a match. Some suggestions
include:
• Pectoralis major and Biceps brachii (You may see cardiac
rhythms when the electrodes are on the pectoralis muscle.
These will be overshadowed by the EMG activity during the
match.)
• Triceps brachii and Biceps brachii
• Pronator teres and Flexor carpi ulnaris
• Deltoid and Pronator teres
• Any combination of pairs of muscles listed above