The Biomechanics Behind a Sit-Up

This photo captures the research behind determining which arm position results in the most effective abdominal workout throughout a sit-up motion. EMG sensors were placed on the rectus abdominis and oblique muscles to measure muscle activation. Retroreflective markers were placed on the subject's upper body and their movement was captured using VICON Nexus software. From this coordinate data, Visual 3D software was utilized to establish body segments and calculate joint angles. The joint angles and angular velocity, along with the amount of muscle activation during the sit-up motions in two different arm positions, will be analyzed to ultimately determine the most effective arm position during a sit-up. This research is still in progress.