EFFECT OF ELBOW ANGLE ON TRICEPS BRACHII AND PECTORALIS MAJOR MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING PARALLEL BAR DIP

Abstract

The parallel bar dip is one of the most commonly used calisthenic exercises. However, a recommended elbow angle in terms of activation patterns has not yet been studied. The aim of this study is to examine the activation values of the pectoralis major and triceps muscle groups during parallel bar dip at different elbow angles. Ten male volunteers (age: 25.1 ± 3.9 years) with regular exercise habits participated in the study. During the parallel bar dip, the pectoralis major, lateral triceps and long triceps muscles were examined at elbow angles of 75°, 85° and 95°. The movement was standardized using the metronome (60 beats.min-1) and evaluated in three phases (eccentric = 2 seconds, isometric = 1 seconds, concentric = 2 seconds). There was no statistically significant difference between the angles for pectoralis major (p>0.05). Significant differences were observed in triceps muscle groups, especially in favor of 75° in the isometric phase (p<0.05). The greatest activation in terms of phases was seen in concentric contraction for all muscles. This research has shown that the reduction of the elbow flexion angle has a positive effect on the activation of triceps muscle group. However, since there are some methodological limitations (such as biomechanical markers), it can be said that future research should improve these findings.