Online Activity #2 (Unit III)

Figure 1: Effect of Temperature on Muscle Action

Temperature
Number of Fists
Normal
---------------35
Ice Water
---------------16

Effect of Fatigue on Muscle Action

1. Count how many times you can tightly squeeze a rubber ball in your hand
in 20 seconds. Record in Figure 2.

2. Repeat the squeezing nine more times and record results. Do not rest
between trials.

(An alternative procedure which works well is to open and close a
clothespin with the thumb and index finger while the other fingers are held
out straight.)

Figure 2: Effect of Fatigue on muscle action

Trial
# of Squeezes in 20 seconds
9 More X's
1
15
10
2
14
10
3
14
10
4
13
8
5
14
8
6
11
8
7
12
9
8
12
7
9
13
8
10
12
6





ANALYSIS OF DATA:

1. What are the three changes you observed in a muscle while it is working (contracted)?
The muscle became harder to move, it became really hard to make a fist time after time, and also slowed reaction time.

2. What effect did the cold temperature have on the action of your hand muscles? Explain.
It made the muscles contract slower, and make my hand close slower, and not be able to close as tight.

3. In Figure 3, make a line graph of your results of the fatigue experiment. Be sure to fill in the values on the vertical axis.

Figure 3: Graph of Effect of Fatigue on Muscle Action

Attempts Number
4. What effect did fatigue have on the action of your hand muscles? Explain.

Fatigue had a huge effect on my hand muscles because it made my reaction time slower, and obviously tired out the muscles, which make the ability of making a fist much slower and harder.