This Physical Activity Will Trick Your Mind!

Have you ever experienced the Kohnstamm phenomenon? Try out the activity below to learn more! 

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What you will need: 

• A Doorway 
• Your Body 
• A Timer 

What to do: 

• Stand in the doorway with your arms pressing against the door frame as hard as possible. The back of your hands should be pressed against the door frame at about hip level.  
• Stand with your arms pressed against the door frame as hard as possible for one minute.  
• When the minute is up walk forward and your arms will mysteriously float up! 

What does this experiment show us? 

• Your arms float on their own because of something called the Kohnstamm phenomenon! 
• The Kohnstamm phenomenon happens when muscles have been used for pushing against the door frame. 
• Once you step out of the doorway your muscles keep contracting even though you stopped pushing against the door frame causing them to float up! 
• Your muscles continuing to contract even though you’ve stopped pushing against the door frame is the Kohnstamm phenomenon. 

  For more information and pictures please visit https://team-cartwright.com/human-body-science-experiments/