STUDY OF CHARACTERISTICS OF WAVING MOVEMENTS IN UPPER EXTREMITIES

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the waving move-ments of upper extremities in gymnastics.
First, a photograph of the waving movements of a trained female was taken with 16 mm cinecamera. The following results energed from the motion analysis
1. The elbow joint moved within a range of about 10 degrees in the horizontal direction, and within a range of 60 to 70 degrees in the vertical direcion.
Therefore, the width of movement was remarkably extensive in the vertical direction. Accordingly, four trained and four untrained females who were to discuss the above characteristics, the movements were recorded using an electrogoniogram for the elbow joint, and an electromyogram for the m. deltoideus, m. triceps brachii and m. biceps brachii, respectively.
The electrogoniogram readings were analysed as follows
Calculations were made of the time of extension (T_E) and flexion (T_F), and the angle of extension (θ_E) and flexion (θ_F) of the elbow joint
2. There did not appear to be a significant relationship between θE and θF in either group.
3. In the trained group, T_E was longer than T_F. However, with the untrained group, T_E and T_F were much the same. T_E/θ_E and T_F/θ_F of the elbow joint were calculated, indicating the time taken for movement through one degree.
4. It was recognized as significant difference that the trained group moved the elbow joint more slowly than the untrained group.
From the present studied, the properties of the muscular contraction which was activated by the waving movement, were considered to be different for the two groups.
Reaction time of the m. tricepts brachii of all subjects was measured in the various conditions. Reaction time of muscular contraction (CR) was rapidly extended the forearm to horizontal level, and muscular relaxation with (PR) and without (AR) contralateral muscular contraction (m. biceps brachii) was the opposite movement to CR.
5. Comparison between CR and AR : In the trained group, AR was faster than CR, but in the untrained group, the opposite was the case. However, no significant difference was recognized
6. Comparison between CR and PR, AR and PR : For most members of the trained group, PR was significantly faster than CR and AR, but this was not so with the untrained subjects.
Therefore, the differences for each person were considered to be dependent on inhibition in the nervous system. The characteristics may be connected with the activity of the inhibitory system