Muscles: Types of Muscular Contraction

Question 1

What are the 2 types of muscular contraction?

Answer 1

Static and Dynamic Contractions

Question 2

What is Static Contraction, and give the 1 example.

Answer 2

Joint position is maintained while muscle produced force: Isometric Contraction

Question 3

Give description and example of Isometric Contraction

Answer 3

• Force is produced but muscle length remains same
• Most tiresome form of muscular contraction to maintain
• Examples include: Wall-sits, gripping racket, rock climbing, etc.

Question 4

What is Dynamic Contractions, and give the 2 examples.

Answer 4

Force produced by muscle while changing joint angle. Examples are Isokinetic and Isoinertial

Question 5

Describe Isokinetic Contractions, and how can they be performed?

Answer 5

• When force produced by muscle remains same throughout full range of movement of joint angle
• Can be done through big and expensive equipment.

Question 6

What are the two types of Isoinertial Contractions?

Answer 6

• Insoinertial Concentric
• Isoinertial Eccentric

Question 7

Describe Isoinertial Concentric and give examples

Answer 7

• When muscle produces force while contracting/shortening.
• Eg: Bicep during flexion of arm, or pectorals during pushing yourself up

Question 8

Describe Isoinertial Eccentric and give examples

Answer 8

• When muscle is producing force while lengthening
• Eg: Hamstrings lengthening and producing a force while going down for a squat (producing a force to resist gravity), or pectorals in downward fase of push-up (resisting force of gravity)

Question 9

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 9

When one muscle relaxes in order for the opposite muscle to contract and create force. Eg: Triceps relaxing in order for biceps to contract during a bicep curl.

Question 10

What are the 2 main and relevant roles of muscles in reciprocal inhibition and what do they do?

Answer 10

• Agonist - Causes the major action by contracting
• Antagonist - Relaxes in order for oppositite muscle to contract and produce force

Question 11

Give 2 examples of agonist and antagonist muscles working together in an exercise:

Answer 11

• Biceps are teh antagonist in a tricep pull-down where tricep is agonist
• Hamstrings are the antagonist in a leg-extension where quadriceps are the agonist

Question 12

Why is it important to have smooth reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 12

Allows for smoother, more powerful and quicker movements