Further evidence of functional differentiation within biceps brachii

Abstract

This study investigated whether the two heads of Biceps Brachii could be functionally differentiated during rapid supination movements with different degrees of elbow flexion, shoulder axial rotation and load. Surface electromyograms, recorded from the long and short heads of Biceps Brachii, were utilised to identify changes in the intensity of muscle contraction. Based upon an analysis of sixteen subjects, the results indicated that joint position (muscle length), but not load, significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the relationship between the contraction intensities of the two heads. Specifically, increasing the length of the Biceps Brachii promoted increased activation of the long head in relation to the short head in producing rapid supination motions. It was concluded that functional differentiation within the two heads of Biceps Brachii was present in motions involving its distal insertion.