Mechanical Characteristics of a Muscle

Question 1

Types of characteristics

Answer 1

force-velocity
force-length

Question 2

Force-velocity

Answer 2

Describes the relationship between force production and the velocity of movement

Muscles can create a larger force with a decrease in the velocity of concentric contraction
This is because the number of cross-bridges that can be attached between the myosin and actin

As force increases, velocity decreases

Question 3

Force-velocity graph

Answer 3

see onenote(functional anatomy) 4

Question 4

Force-length

Answer 4

Relates to the amount of muscle force that can be produced at varying muscle lengths

The length of a muscle effects how much force it can generate
Muscles generate less force as they contract beyond optimal length
Muscles generate less force as they lengthen beyond optimal length

Optimal joint angle for most concentric contractions with most muscles is 100-120 degrees as there are the most crossbridges attached

The greater number of cross bridges that can be formed, the greater the force can be produced

Question 5

Force-length graph

Answer 5

see onenote (functional anatomy) 5