Effect of body position on isometric arm lifting strength

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of three different body positions on isometric arm lifting strength. Thirty students aged between 20 and 27 years volunteered as subjects for the study. A force Evaluation and Testing System (FET 5000) was used to measure the arm lifting strength in the supine, sitting, and standing positions. Average force of each body position was determined by the mean of two trials. At the same time, electromyographic activity of bilateral biceps brachii muscles was measured during maximal voluntary isometric arm lifting. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of body positions on the amount of average force value and integrated electromyographic (IEMG) values during isometric arm lifting. The results showed that the highest mean lifting strength was recorded in the sitting position for both males and females. Significant difference in arm lifting strength was found between each body position. Differences in force were elicited more easily between the female and male subjects. However, the average IEMG values were not significantly correlated with the force produced in arm lifting. Nevertheless, this study supports the conclusion that body position did influence the production of isometric elbow flexors strength. We conclude, therefore, that body position must be considered during rehabilitation of upper extremities.