Investigating Forearm Muscle Activity Across Violin String Heights

The purpose of this work was to evaluate differences in forearm and upper trapezius muscle activity and co-contraction indices during performance of a four-octave G-major scale on two identical violins with a low and a high string height. Surface electromyography was collected from six forearm muscles and bilaterally from the upper trapezius. While seated in a comfortable position, participants performed five trials of the scale on each violin at 60 beats per minute, with two-minute rest periods between trials. Mean and peak muscle activity, as well as co-contraction indices were analyzed. The high string condition elicited significantly higher mean and peak activity than the low string violin, as well as higher co-contraction indices for the FDS-EDC pair. Hand position also influenced muscle activity independent of the condition, with the higher hand positions associated with increased demands. These findings suggest that increased string height and hand position place greater physical demands on violinists, which may in turn contribute to injury risk.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.Sc. Applied Health Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

Master

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Faculty of Applied Health Sciences

Department dc:contributor.department

Applied Health Sciences Program

Grantor dc:publisher

Brock University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Nikitin, Sophia

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Holmes, Michael
• Gabriel, David

• Biomechanics
• Electromyography
• Ergonomics
• Violin Performance
• Injury Risk

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19860

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:brocku.scholaris.ca:10464/19860