Skeletal Muscle Architecture

Question 1

Define the term contractility. This is a very important answer because MANY students use the term incorrectly. It has nothing to do with strength!

Answer 1

• Contractility refers to the ability for self-contraction, especially of the muscles or similar active biological tissue

Question 2

4. Muscle fibre pennation provides a number of functional benefits along with some negative effects on performance when compared with strap or fusiform architecture. Describe these benefits and disadvantages.

Answer 2

• Generates more force and tension

- Smaller ROM

Question 3

Describe how muscle architecture changes with growth and exercise training.

Answer 3

• Resistance exercise affects muscles by increasing the formation of myofibrils, thereby increasing the thickness of muscle fibers. This added structure causes hypertrophy, or the enlargement of muscles, exemplified by the large skeletal muscles seen in body builders and other athletes