Summary
The potential elastic energy stored and used by the flexors is compared to that of the elbow extensors in man. This comparison is made during a series of isolated and to-and-fro movements.
The integrated EMG-work relationships are established for the isolated movements of flexion and extension and for the to-and-fro movements.
For a same integrated EMG value:
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1.
The work done by the flexors or the extensors during to-and-fro movements is superior to that done during isolated movements.
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2.
In comparison to isolated movements the energy saved in to-and-fro movements is greater in the case of the extensors than in the case of the flexors.
It appears that:
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1.
The extra work supplied during to-and-fro movements comes only from the extra positive work done after stretching.
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2.
The best performance of the extensors can be explained by the comparative study on the one hand of the potential elastic energy-force relationships and on the other hand the lever arm-elbow angle relationships for the Equivalent Flexor Muscle and the Equivalent Extensor Muscle.
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Cnockaert, J.C. Comparison of the potential elastic energy stored and used by two antagonistic muscular groups. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 39, 181–189 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421345
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421345