Figure 1.
Example data of the EMGs of the biceps brachii (top row) and the triceps brachii (bottom row) during MVE tasks of elbow flexion (A) and elbow extension (B), and during maximal voluntary co-contraction task (C) for each of the bodybuilders and nonathletes.
Figure 2.
Muscular activation level during maximal voluntary co-contraction.
Muscular activation level (% EMGMVE) during maximal voluntary co-contraction in bodybuilders (circle) and nonathletes (square). The % EMGMVE values for both biceps brachii (bodybuilders: 66±14% vs. nonathletes: 46±13%) and triceps brachii muscles (74±16% vs. 57±9%) were significantly higher in bodybuilders than in nonathletes. Open and closed symbols indicate individual and mean values, respectively.
Figure 3.
Relationship between bodybuilding experience and muscular activity level during maximal voluntary co-contraction task.
Significant positive correlation was found between a length of bodybuilding experience and % EMGMVE (averaged over biceps and triceps brachii muscles) during maximal voluntary co-contraction task.
Figure 4.
Involuntary antagonist coactivation level during MVE of agonist contraction.
Involuntary antagonist coactivation level (% EMGMVE) during MVE tasks in bodybuilders (circle) and nonathletes (square). The % EMGMVE values for both biceps brachii (during elbow extension MVE: 9±4% vs. 9±6%) and triceps brachii muscles (during elbow flexion MVE: 9±6% vs. 12±6%) were not different between groups. Open and closed symbols indicate individual and mean values, respectively.