Activity

Finger marathon

In this activity, students investigate muscle fatigue using the action of opening and closing a clothes peg. Extension ideas include graphing, averages and further investigations into fitness and recovery times.

Hand holding a red peg on a black background.

Finger marathon using a clothes peg

The action of opening and closing a clothes peg can be used to investigate muscle fatigue.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • investigate how muscles use energy during exercise

  • discuss the link between repetition and muscle fatigue

  • accurately record and display the data they collect.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do

  • extension ideas

  • student handout.

Related content

These articles help support the learning in this activity:

Energy for exercise – the source of energy used to power the movement of contraction in muscles working is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the body’s biochemical way to store and transport energy.

Marathon versus sprint – looks at how can one person beat everyone in a marathon, but be left in the dust in a sprint?

Published:21 June 2007