Movement Lab
Introduction
The purpose of this lab experiment is to determine if cold and fatigue can adversely affect muscle strength. First by observing how muscle works. Then determining what effects take place.
Hypothesis
Cold and fatigue will reduce the number of repetitions that can be completed.
Procedure
The first test will test muscle action and how it effects the size of the muscle. We will measure the circumference of the bicep at rest and the bicep when it is clenched.
In the next experiment we will perform the task of making as many clenched fists as possible in twenty seconds. This is done twice. Once in regular temperature and the other after the hand is submerged in ice for at least a minute.
In our final experiment fatigue to the muscle will be induced by repetitive action of the biceps, the large muscle of the upper arm. We will do this by squeezing a rubber ball. The idea is to get as many squeezes as possible within twenty seconds. By recording ten sets we'll have a comparison of numbers.
Conclusion
A contracted bicep is larger in circumference to a relaxed bicep.
In the second experiment the task was accomplished with 62 repetitions. However, after placing the hand in ice water the same activity of squeezing a ball produced only half of the the amount of repetitions, 31. The cold dramatically affected the functioning of the muscles.
The third experiment produced an unusual result. The amount of repetitions actually increased within the ten sets performed. The assumption is that the muscles are warming up and are able to do more. By the third round of ten sets is where change started to occur or muscle fatigue started to set in. The numbers below reflect the the round of ten sets.
What are the three changes you observed in a muscle while it is working (contracted)?
As the muscle is working contracted it gets tighter and tighter and the muscles shorten.
Also it seems that it effects the range of motion in the fingers and it relaxes less.
The muscles in the fingers and palm get thicker.
What effect did the cold temperature have on the action of your hand muscles?
Wow. The cold temperature greatly affected the number of repetition that could be completed. Due to the numbing of the hand the muscles were slow to respond and coordination was more difficult. It was near to impossible to get the muscles to relax. In repeating the repetition of squeezing the ball, the muscles did not contract and relax fully. It seems like the constriction from the cold limited blood circulation to the muscles. muscles work more effectively when there is sufficient heat and circulation.
What effect did fatigue have on the action of the hand muscles?
The effect of fatigue reduced the number of repetition that could be completed. As the movements became more difficult to complete it became harder to contract the muscles and easier the to relax the muscles although the muscles felt contracted.
Circumference of Bicep
At Rest 11 inches
Clenched 12 inches
Temperature Number of Fists
Normal 62
Ice Water 31
Trial # of squeezes in 20 sec. 9 more x's
1 55 64
2 55 64
3 56 65
4 54 63
5 52 61
6 52 61
7 52 61
8 50 59
9 47 56
10 47 56
http://www.troy.k12.ny.us/thsbiology/labs_online/home_labs/muscle_lab_home.html
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