BMME 205/215 Spring 2022

Lab 6: Muscle dynamic forces

Due: Week of 4/4 in lab

OBJECTIVE

Use a PASCO arm model to measure muscle forces with different dynamic motions.

BACKGROUND

See Lab 5.

EQUIPMENT

 PASCO Arm model  Strings x 2  Force sensors x 2

 45 cm rod  Rubber band  Angle sensor
 C-clamp  100 g mass attachment
 Sensor mounting clamp  Racquetball  Airlink attachment
 Bluetooth USB dongle

EXPERIMENT

The three exercises below can be conducted in any order. The arm model will be clamped for you; you will not
need to change the clamping system at any point throughout the experiments.

Biceps curl with different biceps attachment points

Recall the effect of variation in the attachment point of the biceps muscle explored in the Lab 13 post lab. This
exercise will confirm your calculations.

1. Set up your arm model according to Figure 1. Do not worry

about the string and force sensor yet. There are two adjustable
stoppers for each joint. Use these to fix the shoulder joint at 0°
(perpendicular to the ground). Do not forget to attach the 100 g
mass.
2. Notice that there are two biceps attachment points close to the
elbow. The hole labeled by the arrow is the center of mass, not
an additional attachment point. Measure the distance between
the center of rotation of the elbow (circle at the center of the
elbow joint) and each attachment point. Record these values
and the ratio between them on the worksheet.
3. Attach the string representing the biceps to the close
attachment point by tying it through the hole. Align the string
so that it laces on top of the two pulleys shown in the diagram.
4. Open PASCO Capstone and connect the force and angle sensor
via Bluetooth. Set up the graph so that you can record data for
biceps force (FB) vs. elbow angle (θE).
5. Zero the force sensor. Start recording. Pull the force sensor
horizontally SLOWLY and GRADUALLY so that the elbow
bends from about 0° to about 130° (remember: 0° is full
extension). Have your partner stop recording before you let the
elbow extend. Reset and repeat this procedure as necessary.
You should have a good idea of what the graph should look
like from Lab 5. Once you are satisfied with your trial, do not
delete the run because you will need it later. Figure : Arm model setup for biceps
curl
 BMME 205/215 Spring 2022
Lab 6: Muscle dynamic forces
Due: Week of 4/4 in lab

6. Attach the string representing the biceps to the far attachment point by tying it through the hole. Make sure
the string still laces through the proper pulleys.
7. Execute another simulated biceps curl. Repeat as necessary.
8. Plot the data for the biceps curl with the two different attachment points on the same graph. Use the rainbow
triangle button ( ) to select which trials you want to display.
9. On the worksheet, sketch the Capstone plot (FB vs. θE) for both attachment points on the same plot. Indicate
the corresponding attachment point for each curve.
10. Answer remaining worksheet questions.

Curling Lift

This exercise is similar to the biceps curl, but the shoulder angle is no longer fixed . You may recognize this
form of “cheating” on a biceps curl that someone probably did last week. You will examine both the biceps and
triceps muscle forces during this exercise.

1. Set up your arm model according to Figure 2. Use the far attachment
point for both the biceps and triceps. The force sensor for the triceps
will attach to the sensor mounting clamp and silver rod. Place the
silver rod through the hole on the side of the arm model and tighten it
using the clamp in the back of the arm model. Attach the black
mounting clamp (looks like a black cube with teardrop shaped holes)
to the silver rod. The force sensor then fits on the black mounting
clamp and can be fixed using the black knob on top of the force
sensor. Connect a string from the force sensor over the appropriate
pulley to the far triceps attachment point. Make sure that there is not
too much tension in the triceps string as that will limit the model’s
range of motion.
2. Open PASCO Capstone and connect the two force sensors via
Bluetooth. Setup the graph so that you can record data for biceps
force (FB) and triceps force (FT) vs. time.
3. Zero the force sensor. Start recording. Pull the force sensor up and to
the left at a ~45° angle SLOWLY and GRADUALLY so that the
elbow bends from about 0° to about 130° (remember: 0° is full
extension). Have your partner stop recording before you let the elbow
extend. Reset and repeat this procedure as necessary.
4. Sketch the resulting graph on your worksheet.
5. Attach the 100 g weight and repeat the curling lift procedure.
6. Sketch the resulting graph on your worksheet.
7. Answer remaining worksheet questions.
Figure : Arm model setup for
Free Throw curling lift

In this exercise, you will examine triceps force during

a free throw motion, and perhaps you can provide
Coach Williams with some pointers.

1. Set up your arm model according to Figure 3. Use

the far attachment point for both the biceps and
triceps. The biceps is elastic in this experiment, so
 Figure : Arm model setup for free
BMME 205/215 Spring 2022 throw
Lab 6: Muscle dynamic forces
Due: Week of 4/4 in lab

use the large rubber band rather than the string. Ensure that all strings, elastic and inelastic, are laced
through the proper pulleys.
2. Use the bottom shoulder stopper to support the shoulder at about 130. Leave the top shoulder stopper all
the way up so that the shoulder angle can increase beyond 130.
3. Adjust the wrist (triangle attachment) so that it is tilted as far back a possible. Rest the racquetball on the
triangle.
4. Open PASCO Capstone and connect the force sensors via Bluetooth. Set up the graph so that you can record
data for triceps force (FT) vs. time.
5. Pull the force sensor back until the elbow is bent about 90 degrees
6. Zero the force sensor. Start recording. Pull the force sensor up and to the left at a ~45° angle SLOWLY and
GRADUALLY so that the arm model launches the ball.
7. Sketch the resulting graph on your worksheet.
8. Conduct two more trials gradually increasing the speed and force of the pull with the goal of increasing the
distance of your free throw (2 bonus points for anyone who hits a TA) (No not really; don’t hit a TA). While
you should be able to make small increases in speed and force, the limitations of the model will not allow
you to yank on the cord and send the ball flying.
9. Sketch the graph for two additional throws. Note the relative distance of the three throws.
10. Answer remaining worksheet questions.

POST-LAB QUESTIONS

Complete the Lab 6 worksheet (10 points).