Research Article

Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles

Volume: 13 Number: 1 April 16, 2026
TR EN

Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study is to compare the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values obtained from the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles at different elbow angles and to determine which angle provides optimum efficiency according to this comparison. Methods: A total of 30 healthy volunteers participated in the study. Electromyography (EMG) data were obtained at 70°, 90°, and 110° of flexion to measure root mean square (RMS) amplitude during MVIC of BB (for elbow flexion) and TB (for elbow extension) muscles. Results: For BB, EMG RMS amplitude during MVIC was significantly influenced by elbow joint angle, with the highest activation observed at 70° compared to 90° and 110°. Similarly, TB activation was angle-dependent, showing the greatest values at 70°. The BB/TB EMG RMS ratio further confirmed consistently greater activation of BB across all joint angles. Post-hoc analyses revealed that BB activation was significantly greater at 70° compared with 90° and 110°, while TB activation was higher at 70° compared with 90° and 110°, and also higher at 90° compared with 110°. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that joint angle influences EMG amplitudes during MVIC for both BB and TB muscles. These findings highlight the importance of joint angle selection in exercise prescription and rehabilitation.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ordu University Clinical Research Ethics Committee on 11.02.2022 with decision number 33.

Thanks

We would like to thank all the subjects who volunteered their time to participate in this study. This study has been produced from Nazlı Dürümlü’s master thesis.

References

  1. Akima H, Maeda H, Koike T, et al. Effect of elbow joint angles on electromyographic activity versus force relationships of synergistic muscles of the triceps brachii. PloS One. 2021;16:e0252644.
  2. Kukić F, Mrdaković V, Stanković A, et al. Effects of knee extension joint angle on quadriceps femoris muscle activation and exerted torque in maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Biology. 2022;11:1490.
  3. Yuan H, Kim MK. Neuromuscular dynamics during isometric knee contractions: effects of target force, knee angle, and tibial rotation on force steadiness. Sci Rep. 2025;15:13773.
  4. Son J, Rymer WZ. Effects of changes in ankle joint angle on the relation between plantarflexion torque and EMG magnitude in major plantar flexors of male chronic stroke survivors. Front Neurol. 2020;11:224.
  5. Dick TJ, Tucker K, Hug F, et al. Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: Application of EMG to estimate muscle force. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2024;79:102910.
  6. Sözen H, Cè E, Bisconti AV, et al. Differences in electromechanical delay components induced by sex, age and physical activity level: new insights from a combined electromyographic, mechanomyographic and force approach. Sport Sci Health. 2019;15:623-633.
  7. Boettcher CE, Ginn KA, Cathers I. Standard maximum isometric voluntary contraction tests for normalizing shoulder muscle EMG. J Orthop Res. 2008;26:1591-1597.
  8. Kennedy PM, Cresswell AG. The effect of muscle length on motor-unit recruitment during isometric plantar flexion in humans. Exp Brain Res. 2001;137:58-64.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physiotherapy

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 16, 2026

Submission Date

July 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 1

APA
Dürümlü, N., Sözen, H., & Acaröz, S. (2026). Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation, 13(1), 48-56. https://doi.org/10.15437/jetr.1746892
AMA
1.Dürümlü N, Sözen H, Acaröz S. Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation. 2026;13(1):48-56. doi:10.15437/jetr.1746892
Chicago
Dürümlü, Nazlı, Hasan Sözen, and Sevim Acaröz. 2026. “Comparative Analysis of the Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction of the Biceps Brachii and Triceps Brachii at Different Elbow Angles”. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation 13 (1): 48-56. https://doi.org/10.15437/jetr.1746892.
EndNote
Dürümlü N, Sözen H, Acaröz S (April 1, 2026) Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation 13 1 48–56.
IEEE
[1]N. Dürümlü, H. Sözen, and S. Acaröz, “Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles”, Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 48–56, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.15437/jetr.1746892.
ISNAD
Dürümlü, Nazlı - Sözen, Hasan - Acaröz, Sevim. “Comparative Analysis of the Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction of the Biceps Brachii and Triceps Brachii at Different Elbow Angles”. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation 13/1 (April 1, 2026): 48-56. https://doi.org/10.15437/jetr.1746892.
JAMA
1.Dürümlü N, Sözen H, Acaröz S. Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation. 2026;13:48–56.
MLA
Dürümlü, Nazlı, et al. “Comparative Analysis of the Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction of the Biceps Brachii and Triceps Brachii at Different Elbow Angles”. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation, vol. 13, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 48-56, doi:10.15437/jetr.1746892.
Vancouver
1.Nazlı Dürümlü, Hasan Sözen, Sevim Acaröz. Comparative analysis of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii at different elbow angles. Journal of Exercise Therapy and Rehabilitation. 2026 Apr. 1;13(1):48-56. doi:10.15437/jetr.1746892