Muscle Meets Magnet

Muscle Meets Magnet Per A. Tesch The subject of this book is not new; however, the way it is presented is unique and interesting. It is quite true that there are numerous exercise training manuals that delineate how certain exercises use particular muscle groups. All of these manuals rely primarily on “arm-chair” kinesiology. That is, if a certain joint moves a particular way, then a certain group of muscles must be involved. For instance, elbow flexion is performed via the contraction of the brachialis, biceps brachii, and brachioradialis. In this book, Dr. Tesch shows via magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) technology how a simple change in hand or arm position alters the pattern of muscle use. MRI technology is relatively new and provides physiologists with a new technique for analyzing skeletal muscle metabolism. For example, a biceps curl exercise performed with a straight bar and wide grip will use the short (medial) head of the biceps brachii more so than the long (lateral head of the biceps brachii or brachialis muscle. On the other hand, an incline seated dumbbell curl with a neutral grip will stress the brachialis and long head of the biceps brachii muscles more so than the short head of the biceps. Classically, one is taught that the brachialis is the primary elbow flexor. This manual shows otherwise. The book is divided into four sections: back of arm (upper arm), front of arm (upper arm), thigh, and leg (calf). The book refers to the arm as the upper arm, which of course would imply that there is a lower arm. In actuality, anatomists refer to the upper extremity as being divided into an arm and forearm. Nevertheless, each section shows MRI images of 10-20 different exercises that involve the arm, thigh, and posterior leg. The arm section analyzes how three muscles, the biceps brachii (2 heads), brachialis, and triceps brachii (3 heads), are used in different exercises. The thigh section looks at 11 muscles and their responses to different exercises. However, one muscle is conspicuously missing from the thigh analysis, the semimembranosus muscle. The calf section deals exclusively with plantar flexion exercises. This book is a good resource for athletic trainers, personal trainers, physical therapists, body builders, power lifters, undergraduate exercise physiology students, and anyone interested in muscle physiology. For those not well-versed in anatomy, there is a small amount to learn. However, for the most part, this book is easy to read and to follow. For those interested in the practical aspects of anatomy and muscle physiology, this book is a great resource. I have personally found the book to be exceptionally useful.