Semester of Graduation
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Masters in Exercise Science
Department
Exercise Science and Sport Management
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Daphney Carter
Second Advisor
Garrett Hester
Third Advisor
Mitchell Zaplatosch
Abstract
Dynamic co-contraction (DCC) involves continuous maximal contractions of agonist and antagonist muscle groups throughout a full range of motion without the use of body weight or external weights. Studies comparing DCC to resistance training focus on chronic adaptations rather than acute responses. Purpose: To describe fatigue, muscle thickness (MT), heart rate (HR) during DCC, traditional resistance exercise (TRAD), and control (CTRL). Methods: Participants completed exercise and recovery sessions under three conditions. Visit 1, maximal strength test wasconducted and familiarization followed. Visits 2-4, participants were assigned to DCC, TRAD, or CTRL. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and MT was measured pre-, post-, post5, and post10. Participants completed 4 sets of 20 elbow flexion following a cadence. TRAD was performed with 60% of 1-RM. DCC involved maximal contraction of agonist and antagonist muscle groups throughout a full range of motion. Control included full range of movement without contraction. HR, exertion, and discomfort were recorded after each set. Fatigue, as measured by changes in MVIC across time. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare results across conditions and time. Results are shown as mean±SD. Results: 20 participants completed the study. Force was lower for TRAD (0.356±0.121) when compared to CTRL (0.424±0.139) and DCC (.452±0.171). For MT, TRAD (4.392±.786) was largest compared to DCC (4.131±.757) and CTRL (4.031±.709). HR was highest for TRAD (107±14) when compared to CTRL (74±13) and DCC (99±18). Conclusion: TRAD elicited a greater acute response in fatigue, MT, and HR when compared to DCC and CTRL.