Muscle Activity during Maximal Isometric Forearm Rotation Using a Power Grip

Authors

Joseph Scott Bader, University of KentuckyFollow
Michael R. Boland, University of KentuckyFollow
Desney Greybe, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Arthur J. Nitz, University of KentuckyFollow
Timothy L. Uhl, University of KentuckyFollow
David A. Pienkowski, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

This study aimed to provide quantitative activation data for muscles of the forearm during pronation and supination while using a power grip. Electromyographic data was collected from 15 forearm muscles in 11 subjects while they performed maximal isometric pronating and supinating efforts in nine positions of forearm rotation. Biceps brachii was the only muscle with substantial activation in only one effort direction. It was significantly more active when supinating (µ = 52.1%, SD = 17.5%) than pronating (µ = 5.1%, SD = 4.8%, p < .001). All other muscles showed considerable muscle activity during both pronation and supination. Brachioradialis, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, pronator quadratus and pronator teres were significantly more active when pronating the forearm. Abductor pollicis longus and biceps brachii were significantly more active when supinating. This data highlights the importance of including muscles additional to the primary forearm rotators in a biomechanical analysis of forearm rotation. Doing so will further our understanding of forearm function and lead to the improved treatment of forearm fractures, trauma-induced muscle dysfunction and joint replacements.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-8-2018

Notes/Citation Information

To be published in Journal of Biomechanics.

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

© 2017. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

The document available for download is the authors' post-peer-review final draft of the article.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.12.011

Funding Information

This work was partially funded by the University of Kentucky Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Repository Citation

Bader, Joseph Scott; Boland, Michael R.; Greybe, Desney; Nitz, Arthur J.; Uhl, Timothy L.; and Pienkowski, David A., "Muscle Activity during Maximal Isometric Forearm Rotation Using a Power Grip" (2018). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications. 21.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cbme_facpub/21