neuromuscular physiology

Question 1

What is ALWAYS required for muscle function, and what does this imply about the rate of muscle contraction?

Answer 1

ATP is ALWAYS required. The rate of muscle contraction is dependent on the availability of ATP.

Question 2

What is the rate-limiting step of cross-bridge cycling?

Answer 2

The rate of ATP Hydrolysis is the rate-limiting step of cross-bridge cycling.

Question 3

Is there a significant difference between men and women regarding muscle fiber types?

Answer 3

There is no significant difference between men and women in terms of muscle fiber types.

Question 4

How can training be tailored to target specific muscle fiber types?

Answer 4

You can make training match which fiber is needed using the principle of specificity.

Question 5

How does flexibility training affect sarcomeres and muscle length?

Answer 5

Flexibility training adds more sarcomeres in series, causing the muscle to get longer.

Question 6

How does hypertrophy training affect sarcomeres and muscle size?

Answer 6

Hypertrophy training generates more sarcomeres in parallel, leading to an increase in muscle size.

Question 7

How does adding sarcomeres in parallel affect force and power production?

Answer 7

Adding sarcomeres in parallel increases the force the muscle can generate.

Question 8

What is Rate of Force Development (RFD), and how is it affected by increasing sarcomeres in parallel?

Answer 8

Rate of Force Development (RFD) is how quickly we can change the energy force. Increasing sarcomeres in parallel increases RFD.

Question 9

What is the typical ability of most individuals to activate their motor units?

Answer 9

Most individuals cannot activate all of their motor units simultaneously.

Question 10

According to the size principle, how are motor units recruited based on force demands?

Answer 10

Motor units are recruited according to the size principle, from small to large.

Question 11

At approximately what percentage of maximum force are almost all high type 1 motor units recruited?

Answer 11

High type 1 motor units are almost all recruited at around 50% force.

Question 12

What is generally required to recruit high-threshold motor units?

Answer 12

Very high intensities (loads greater than 40-50% of max) are needed to recruit high-threshold motor units.

Question 13

How does hypertrophy training affect the recruitment threshold of motor units?

Answer 13

As a muscle gets larger due to hypertrophy training, the recruitment threshold goes up.

Question 14

What are the immediate metabolic benefits of having larger muscles (due to hypertrophy)?

Answer 14

Larger muscles have an immediate metabolic benefit because you can use fewer motor units to generate the same force.

Question 15

How does using fewer motor units for a given force output affect coordination and precision?

Answer 15

Using fewer motor units allows for more precise levels of force and makes the muscle easier to coordinate.

Question 16

What is the effect of increasing the firing frequency of motor units?

Answer 16

Increasing the firing frequency allows you to recruit the last 10% of potential force after all motor units are already recruited.

Question 17

What limits the ability of a motor unit to fire at high frequencies?

Answer 17

The ability of a motor unit to fire at high frequencies is limited by the flow of ions across the muscle membranes.

Question 18

What is the role of the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in muscle function?

Answer 18

The sodium-potassium ATPase pump actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions back into the cell.

Question 19

What are the two general scenarios of intramuscular coordination discussed in the lecture?

Answer 19

The two general scenarios of intramuscular coordination are non-ballistic and ballistic.

Question 20

In non-ballistic muscle actions, how can you access neurologic strength after all motor units are recruited?

Answer 20

Increasing the firing frequency of the already recruited motor units allows you to access neurologic strength.

Question 21

In ballistic training, how are motor units recruited and fired?

Answer 21

Motor units are recruited according to the size principle, and those recruited motor units fire at their maximum frequency.

Question 22

What is the definition of intramuscular coordination according to the lecture?

Answer 22

Intramuscular coordination refers to the activation of motor units and their firing frequencies.

Question 23

What is the definition of intermuscular coordination according to the lecture?

Answer 23

Intermuscular coordination refers to how your muscles coordinate with other muscles and muscle groups.

Question 24

How do neural factors contribute to strength gains in the early stages of resistance training?

Answer 24

Early on in resistance training, there is a high incidence of neural factors improving performance.

Question 25

What happens to the contribution of neural factors and mechanical factors to strength gains with longer-term training?

Answer 25

With longer-term resistance training, the contribution of neural factors tends to decline.

Question 26

What is the primary goal of a warm-up in the context of this lecture?

Answer 26

The primary goal of a warm-up is the elevation of body temperature.

Question 27

List the benefits of an adequate warm-up as discussed in the lecture.

Answer 27

An adequate warm-up can lead to increases in metabolic rate, improved muscular performance, and increased peripheral oxygen uptake.

Question 28

Does increased musculo-tendinous compliance typically benefit performance in the context of strength and power?

Answer 28

Musculo-tendinous compliance does not benefit performance and is often associated with a decrease in force production.

Question 29

When designing a resistance training program for muscular hypertrophy of both heads of the pectoralis major and the triceps brachii, what exercise and setup were recommended?

Answer 29

A flat supine barbell bench press was recommended for hypertrophy of both heads of the pectoralis major.

Question 30

When programming for hypertrophy using an intensity of 70% of 1RM, what is a likely issue with performing only 4 repetitions to failure?

Answer 30

Performing only 4 repetitions at this intensity likely will not result in true failure and may not provide an optimal stimulus for hypertrophy.