CEC ARTICLE
Exercise Analysis by C. D. Holcomb
A. Types of Contractions - Back ground
Dynamic Constant (isotonic)
1) The amount of resistive force encountered determines the amount of muscle force applied. More resistive force requires more muscle force. The water, compared to air, is twelve times more resistant. Adding gloves, hand belles, etc., increases the resistance.
2) The resistive force (water) remains constant throughout the exercise movement. However, the effective muscle force is higher in some positions and lower in other positions due to the mechanics of human movement. Free weights would also provide a dynamic constant resistance.
Dynamic Variable (isotonic)
1) The dynamic variable is the same as the dynamic constant, in that the amount of
resistive force encountered determines the amount of muscle force applied. It is DIFFERENT than dynamic constant, in that the resistive force changes throughout the exercise movement. The use of dyna-bands, tubing, a weightstack machine with levers, cams, or linkage systems and specially designed air pressure equipment provides dynamic variable resistance.
Isokinetic Contractions
1) The joint is moving at a constant angular velocity, a constant movement speed, and a
Matching resistive force.
2) The amount of muscle force applied determines the amount of resistive force
encountered. More muscle force produces more resistive force. This type of contraction is only possible with isokinetic equipment such as hydraulic resistance machines and electronic resistance machines capable of varying the resistance and maintaining a constant angular velocity.
Isometric Contraction and Static
Isometric contractions are an important component in training the stabilizing muscles. An isometric contraction occurs when the resistance is an immovable object such as a wall or weight-training equipment, or the opposing muscle group. No visible movement occurs.
B. Objective 0f Exercise Analysis
(Safety and Muscular Balance)
Our Responsibilities to Our Patrons Include
Proper exercise routines that do not aggravate existing conditions (carpal tunnel, lordosis, kyphosis, tendinitis, rotator cuff strains, or shoulder problems) or cause overuse injuries.
Be aware of injuries, Ask question about injuries, Give options, Get Feed Back
Proper exercise routines that improve muscular balance, that reduce the risk of injuries, that help compensate for job related muscular imbalances, and that allow the patron to achieve a higher quality of life.
Sometimes it is beneficial to concentrate on exercises that combat muscle imbalances caused by modern life. ie More back, external rotatotors, traps and rhomboids.
C. Forces
How to Determine Where is the Force?
(Buoyancy, Resistance, and Gravity)
When using equipment in the Water Ask These Questions
Does the equipment float and requires significant force to push it underwater? (Buoys, noodles, balls, Kick boards, Cuffs, foam blocks)
If the answer is yes than buoyancy dominates motions that are up and down in the water. The force is always up. When moving side to side or front back, resistance dominates the motion and the force is always against the direction of the movement. Remember isometric contractions are also important with buoyancy.
Does the equipment sink and requires significant force to keep it up in the water? (Hand Weights, Leg Weights, Bricks)
If the answer is yes than gravity dominates motions that are up and down in the water. The force is always down. Remember isometric contractions are also important with certain gravity based exercises. IF there is side to side motion, resistance dominates.
Is the equipment neutral with surface area? (Gloves, Fins, Frisbees, Paddles)
If the answer is yes than Resistance dominates motions in the water. The force is always against the direction of motion.
More Subtle Questions?
How does a flotation belt effect aqua exercises? It doesn't change the muscles worked. Only less effort is required to stay afloat. The belt is attached to you. You do not have to exert effort to hold on to it.
What is the main difference in muscle work between suspended (Level II) and deep water exercises versus shallow water exercises? Hip activation is important in the deep water, Ankle and Foot in the shallow. Have participants walk around the room normally first and then on there heels without pushing off with their toes. They should have to use the hip more to move the leg.
What changes with bands, surgical tubing, and leashes? Resistance in along the equipment towards the center and the force increase the more the equipment is stretched.
What muscle groups are worked during pushups on the gutter? Triceps and Isometric Trap III. Facing gutter Trap III,. Tricep and Pec Minor Ecc. con. Facing away Trap III, Triecp and Anterior Deltoid Ecc. Con. N0 PEC MAJOR IN THIS EXERCISE.
D. Analysis for Water
How to Determine Which Muscles are Primary Movers (Force versus Gravity)
Which muscles are primary movers and the type of contraction the muscle is undergoing depend of the Force, the Direction of the force, and the change in the muscle length. Gravity is Down , Buoyancy is Up, Resistance is Against the Direction of Movement
Many people memorize which muscles are being worked by land based free weight exercises and their names where gravity acts on the weight. They forget when they change their orientation, environment, or equipment they change the type of force, the direction of the force, and whether the muscle is lengthening, shortening, or is an isometric. IF you hold on to the sides of your chair and push down so you raise your butt of the chair, the TRAPIII are isometrically holding you up like buoys in the water would.
Example 1: Bicep Curl?
On land with weights In water with gloves In water with buoys
Force is gravity Force is resistance Force in buoyancy
Force is down Force is against direction of motion Force is up
Bicep Eccentric Bicep Concentric Tricep Eccentric
Bicep Concentric Tricep Concentric Tricep Concentric
Example 2: Pec fly?
On Back with Weight On Front with Weight Standing Up with Weight
Force is gravity Force is gravity Force is gravity
Force is down Force is down Force is down
Pecs & triceps Eccentric Traps & Biceps Eccentric Medial Deltoid Isometric
Pecs & triceps Concentric Traps & Biceps Concentric Tiny Pecs Concentric
Tiny Trap II Concentric
Standing in Water With Gloves Standing in Water With Buoys
Force is Resistance Force is Resistance & Buoyancy
Force is against direction of motion Force is against direction of motion and up
Pecs Concentric Pecs Concentric
Trap II Concentric Trap II Concentric
Some Trap III Isometric
Suspended in Water With Buoys
Force is Buoyancy & Resistance
Force is up and against direction of motion
Trap III Isometeric
Pecs Concentric
Trap II Concentric
Example 3: Running?
On Land In Shallow Water In Deep Water w/Belt
Force is gravity Force is Resistance Force is Resistance
Force is down Force is against direction of motion Force is against direction of motion
Illiopsosas Ecc. Illiopsosas Con. Illiopsosas Concentric Illiopsosas. Concentric Soleus Concentric Glut. Max Concentric
Soleus Concentric Gastrocnemeius. Concentric Hamstring Concentric
Gastroc. Concentric Glut Max Concentric
Hamstring Concentric
In Deep Water w/ Buoys In Deep Water w/ Cuffs
Force is Resistance and Buoyancy Force is Buoyancy
Force is against direction of motion and up Force is up
Illiop. Con Glut Max Con
Glut Max Con Glut MAx Enn
Hamstring Con Hamstring Con
Trap III Isometric Hamstring Ecc.
CEC ARTICLE Vol. 3, 2004
C.D. Holcomb
1. What force dominates with floating equipment?
2. What force dominates with sinking equipment?
3. What force dominates with neutral equipment?
4. How does a flotation belt affect aqua exercises?
5. What are the main differences between suspended and deep water exercises versus shallow water?
6. Complete, Type of Force, Directions of Force, Major Muscle Groups Worked, and Type of Contraction
On land with weights In water with gloves In water with buoys
Force Type Force Type Force Type
Force Direction Force Direction Force Direction
Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction
Question 7: Pec fly
On Back with Weight On Front with Weight Standing Up with Weight
Force Type Force Type Force Type
Force Direction Force Direction Force Direction
Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction
Standing in Water With Gloves Standing in Water With Buoys
Force Type Force Type
Force Direction Force Direction
Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction
Suspended in Water With Buoys
Force Type
Force Direction
Muscle/Contraction
Question 8: Running
On Land In Shallow Water In Deep Water w/Belt
Force Type Force Type Force Type
Force Direction Force Direction Force Direction
Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction
In Deep Water w/ Buoys In Deep Water w/ Cuffs
Force Type Force Type
Force Direction Force Direction
Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction
Question 9: Leg Swing Extra Credit 1(cec) Cause You Have to determine it on your own it is not in the article. So If you get it right and get 80% on the other you will get 3CECs TOTAL
In water In water with cuffs
Force Type Force Type
Force Direction Force Direction
Muscle/Contraction Muscle/Contraction
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