When performing cable curls to build elbow flexor muscle, the resistance must be adjusted consistently as the shoulder position changes, because uneven resistance can mask how muscle length affects...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
When you do cable curls with your arm in different positions, the way the weight pulls on your biceps changes — even if it feels just as hard. That change in pull affects how much each part of the muscle stretches and tightens, which determines how much it grows. If you don’t adjust the resistance...
Most probable mechanism
When you do cable curls with your arm in different positions, the way the resistance pulls on your biceps changes — even if it feels equally hard. This changes how much each part of the muscle stretches and tightens during the movement, which affects how much the muscle fibers are stressed, and that influences how much they grow over time.
Changing the shoulder angle alters the line of pull of the cable resistance relative to the elbow joint, modifying the torque applied to the elbow flexors throughout the range of motion.
Altered torque distribution leads to differential mechanical strain across muscle fibers, with some regions experiencing greater lengthening or tension than others depending on joint position.
Differential strain patterns influence the magnitude and distribution of mechanical tension experienced by muscle fibers, which regulates signaling pathways involved in muscle protein synthesis and growth.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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The effects of shoulder extension angle on elbow flexor hypertrophy in the cable curl exercise
Contradicting (0)
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