Effects of dumbbell weight on the rest-pause triceps kickback exercise in women: kinetic, finite element and EMG analyses.

The triceps kickback is a popular strength exercise targeting the arm muscles, often performed by women to enhance muscle strength and tone. However, physiological differences in endurance between women and men can make the exercise challenging, particularly as dumbbell weight increases. Higher weights may compromise proper form and reduce effective muscle contraction, yet the relationship between increased weight and muscle contraction remains underexplored. This study investigated the mechanical effects of varying dumbbell weights during rest-pause triceps kickback exercises in 14 women. Motion analysis with passive markers and EMG measurements from the triceps brachii were conducted. A link-segment model simulated in MATLAB Multibody calculated joint moments and muscle forces, while a finite element model of the triceps brachii, developed in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0, analyzed structural responses to these forces. Results revealed no linear correlation between increasing exercise force and muscle contraction intensity. These findings provide insights into the biomechanics of the triceps kickback and suggest that weight increments should be carefully managed to optimize muscle activation and exercise effectiveness. This study contributes valuable data for designing tailored strength-training programs, especially for women.