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Questions and Answers
What is the length-tension relationship?
What is the length-tension relationship?
- The amount of tension generated by a muscle depends on how stretched or contracted it was before stimulation. (correct)
- The maximum strength a muscle can produce without any stimulation.
- The speed of muscle contraction in response to a stimulus.
- The relationship between muscle length and the number of motor units activated.
What is weak contraction?
What is weak contraction?
Overly contracted at rest or too stretched before stimulation.
What is muscle tone?
What is muscle tone?
Central nervous system maintains the length of the resting muscle in a state of partial contraction.
What is the threshold?
What is the threshold?
Define twitch.
Define twitch.
What happens during the latent period?
What happens during the latent period?
What occurs during the contraction phase?
What occurs during the contraction phase?
Describe the relaxation phase.
Describe the relaxation phase.
What is meant by increase stimulus intensity?
What is meant by increase stimulus intensity?
What does it mean to increase stimulus frequency?
What does it mean to increase stimulus frequency?
Define motor unit.
Define motor unit.
What is the average motor unit size?
What is the average motor unit size?
Describe a small motor unit.
Describe a small motor unit.
What characterizes a large motor unit?
What characterizes a large motor unit?
What is summation?
What is summation?
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Study Notes
Length-Tension Relationship
- Muscle tension and contraction force depend on initial muscle length—overly stretched or contracted affects strength.
Weak Contraction
- Muscle can be too contracted at rest, leading to reduced force generation.
- Muscle may also be too stretched before activation, resulting in weak contractions.
Muscle Tone
- Maintained by the central nervous system, keeping muscles in partial contraction at rest for readiness.
Threshold
- The minimum voltage required to trigger an action potential and initiate muscle contraction.
Twitch
- Characterized by a quick cycle involving contraction followed by relaxation.
Latent Period
- A brief delay of approximately 2 milliseconds between stimulus onset and twitch response.
Contraction Phase
- During this phase, myofilaments slide, allowing the muscle to shorten and generate force.
Relaxation Phase
- The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) reabsorbs calcium, leading to the release of thin filaments and a reduction in tension.
Increase Stimulus Intensity
- Increasing the voltage can enhance the strength of muscle contractions.
Increase Stimulus Frequency
- Keeping voltage constant while increasing the number of stimuli leads to a stronger muscle response.
Motor Unit
- Defined as a single motor neuron and all muscle fibers it innervates, working together for coordinated movement.
Average Motor Unit
- Typically consists of around 200 muscle fibers, striking a balance between strength and control.
Small Motor Unit
- Comprises 3-6 muscle fibers per neuron, allowing for fine control, seen in muscles like those involved in eye and hand movements.
Large Motor Unit
- Contains many muscle fibers, prioritizing strength over precision, exemplified by muscles such as the gastrocnemius.
Summation
- Refers to the recruitment of additional motor units to increase overall muscle force during contraction.
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