The Nervous System

Question 1

Synaptic Cleft

Answer 1

the gap between the nerve end and the muscle (pre & post synaptic membrane)

Question 2

Synaptic Vesicle

Answer 2

the storage compartments for the neural transmitter Acetylcholine (a see til ko lean).

Question 3

Acetylcholine

Answer 3

is the neural transmitter that couriers the impulse from the nerve to the muscle

Question 4

Cholinesterase

Answer 4

enzyme that breaks down Acetylcholine after it has transmitted the impulse (not shown)

Question 5

Kinesthetic Awareness

Answer 5

The Kinesthetic sense is our ability to know what our limbs are doing without the use of any of our other senses.

Question 6

The Myotatic Stretch Reflex

Answer 6

is a three-step muscle contraction process that causes a muscle to contract. Its purpose is to protect the muscle and the corresponding joint from injury, injury that may occur if the tissue is abruptly over-stretched or the joint over-extended beyond its safe range of motion (ROM).

Quick Notes: muscle spindle / senses stretch (magnitude & velocity) / causes a contraction / Myotatic Stretch Reflex

Question 7

The Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO)

Answer 7

is the sensory device imbedded in the tendon of a muscle (at the end of the muscle belly) that perceives the amount of tension (pull) in the tendon. It is involved in the Inverse Myotatic Stretch Reflex.

Question 8

Inverse Myotatic Stretch Reflex

Answer 8

is a muscle RELAXATION reflex. Its purpose is to protect the muscle, tendon and joint from overloading itself

Quick Notes:
GTO / senses tension / causes a relaxation / Inverse Myotatic Stretch Reflex

Question 9

Passive Stretching

Answer 9

(Muscle is RELAXED while being stretched)

-Relates to what the MUSCLE is doing when stretching
-The stretched muscles is relaxed when the stretch occurs (there may or may not be movement of the joint)
-Key concept: NO CONTRACTION

Question 10

Active Stretching

Answer 10

(Muscle contracts to cause stretch)

-Relates to what the MUSCLE is doing when stretching
-Contracting a muscle while it’s being stretched or contracting the opposite muscle to the one being stretched (quadriceps and hamstrings). There may or may not be movement of the joint during the stretch
Key concept:CONTRACTION

A good example: arching back over your chair with your hands behind your head requires the back muscles to contract while the chest and rib muscles stretch.

Question 11

Static Stretching

Answer 11

(No Joint Movement)

Relates to what the JOINT is doing when stretching
-Involves a held, slow, gradual and controlled stretch (could be active or passive)
-Low intensity, low duration technique that imposes less micro-trauma to tissues and results in superior flexibility
-Used best AFTER exercise; if used before it may increase risk of injury due to temporary microscopic weakening of connective tissues
-Psychologically suppresses stretch reflex
-Prevents delayed muscle soreness

Question 12

Dynamic Stretching

Answer 12

(Joint Movement)

-Relates to what the JOINT is doing when stretching
-Involves slow, controlled movements (could be active or passive)
-Used primarily BEFORE performing an activity
-Used as an unloaded rehearsal for the loaded activities to come
some call it ballistic stretching (which is wild, uncontrolled and highly risky approach)

Question 13

Proprioceptors

Answer 13

The sensory organs in muscles, tendons and joints that receive and transmit information to the CNS are known as:

Question 14

What do sensory neurons do?

Answer 14

carry information to the CNS and are called afferent fibers

Question 15

What type of stretching would you perform should you want long-term elongation of your muscle?

Answer 15

Static Passive