P4 – Describe the function of the muscular system and the different fibre types
M1 – Explain the function of the muscular system and the different fibre types
D1 – Analyse the function of the muscular system and the different fibre types
Antagonistic Pairs
Antagonistic Pairs are a pair of muscles working together to allow coordinated movement of the skeletal joints. Muscles can only exert a force and do work by contracting. An example is the antagonistic pair of muscles used in bending and straightening the arm. To bend the arm requires the biceps to contract, while the triceps relax. If the arm is to be straightened, the reverse happens. The individual components of antagonistic pairs can be classified into extensors and flexors. An example of this in sport is bending the leg to strike the ball in football, the agonist is the rectus femoris and the antagonist is the bicep femoris.
Fixator
Muscles can also be fixators, or stabilisers. These muscles hold or fix joints in a stable position. In a bicep curl the trapezius is the fixator as it holds the shoulder joint stable as the bicep contracts.
Synergist
Muscles that assist the prime mover in a movement are called synergists. When the elbow joint is flexed the brachialis and brachioradialis are the synergists as they assist the bicep in the movement.
Concentric Contractions
Movement happens when the muscle shortens generating force. An example of a concentric contraction is the upward motion in a bicep curl or when bringing back the lower leg before kicking a football.
The Term Paper on Types of Muscles
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Eccentric Contractions
Movement happens when the muscle lengthens due to a stronger opposing force. An example of eccentric contraction is the downward motion when doings pull ups or the downward motion in a squat.
Isometric Contractions
This is when the muscle generates force without moving regardless of the load, for example when gripping a weight the muscles of the hand and wrist contract. Also in arm wrestling, the two contestants push against each others arms. This is an isometric contraction.
Isokinetic Contractions
This is the contraction and shortening of the muscle at a constant speed. To perform isokinetic contractions expensive equipment is needed that increases the load as the muscle contraction speed increases.
Fibre type
Muscles are made up of small fibres that contract making the whole muscle contract. There are three types of muscle fibre; Type 1, Type 2a and Type 2b. All individuals have a combination of all fibre types and their combination of fibre types is genetically determined. Different parts of the body have different combinations of fibre types.
Type 1
These are the smallest of the muscle fibres. These will be red in colour as they have a good blood supply and will also have a dense network of blood vessels. They also contain many mitochondria to make them more efficient at producing energy using oxygen. They contract slowly and also fatigue slowly suiting them best to aerobic endurance activities such as the 10,000m. These fibres are most effective during the middle part of the race when the athlete has found a constant speed, allowing the muscles to work for longer, as they are not being over-exerted. This is because they give there energy over a long period of time allowing the athlete to run for a sustained period of time.
They are also slow to fatigue because they have an incredibly high aerobic capacity, meaning the athlete will be able to run long distances without feeling tired. To be able run a long distances, the athlete will need to have a lot of type 1 fibres in their leg muscles, mainly the gastrocnemius, rectus femoris and bicep femoris. Long distance runners will have a very high amount of slow twitch fibres in their muscles, making them more resistant to fatigue.
The Essay on Isokinetic Eccentric And Concentric Muscle Contractions
Isokinetic, Eccentric, and Concentric Muscle Contractions There are three basic types of muscle contraction: isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic. An isometric contraction occurs when a muscle contracts, producing force without changing the length of muscle. To demonstrate this action, in the sitting position place your right hand under your thigh and place your left hand on your right biceps ...
Type 2a
These fibres use both aerobic and anaerobic pathways almost equally to create energy. They contract rapidly, are twice as thick as type 1 fibres and are quick to fatigue. They have a poor blood supply, are whiter in appearance, due to the lack of oxygen. Type 2a fibres are best suited to team sport activities, or sports that are too long to be type 2b fibres and too short to be type 1 fibres, for example sports like the 400m. An example of when the fibres will be working the most is probably the last 100 metres when the athlete is trying to build up more speed. This means the fibres have to work harder in order for the legs to move faster so they can pick up speed.
These types of fibres have both medium aerobic and anaerobic capacity, making them ideal for this type of event. They are less resistant to fatigue than type 1 fibres, but are more resistant than type 2b fibres, again making them perfect for the 400m, lasting just long enough for the race. The 400m also requires a good anaerobic capacity for the final 100m and these fibres provide a good level of capacity, making it great for this type of event. Type 2a fibres give a mixture of slow and fast muscle contractions, making this useful in team sports like football as the pace of the game is constantly changing.
Type 2b
These are the fastest contracting of the three fibre types. These fibres use aerobic metabolism to create energy. As they are the fastest contracting they are also the fastest to fatigue. Type 2b fibres are best suited to explosive sports such as 100m. A moment in the race where these fibres are used effectively is right at the start. As the athlete explodes away from the starting blocks and begins to build up speed, the fibres have to work hard to get the power to the muscles. These muscle fibres are used when the athlete flexes the muscles in his hamstring and quadriceps when they bend their leg, mainly the bicep femoris and rectus femoris, are contracting causing the fast twitch fibres to work very hard, especially due to the lack of oxygen.
The Essay on Skeletal Muscle Undergoes Repair and Regenaration Throughout Normal Life
“Skeletal muscle undergoes repair and regenaration throughout normal life. Write a review on the processes involved, emphasizing the role of satellite cells. ” Muscle Cell Regeneration and the Impact of Ageing Introduction: Throughout normal life, skeletal muscles undergo repair and regeneration in response to injury through a process involving several sequential steps. A very important role in ...
Athletes who compete in these tend to have more type 2b fibres than any other type of fibres, which means they have a high anaerobic capacity, meaning the lack of oxygen is a problem to these particular fibres. However when competing some athletes pull up with hamstring injuries due to the lack of oxygen going to the muscles. This occurs in the type 1 twitch fibres, which have a low anaerobic capacity, causing tears in these areas of the bicep femoris. The fibres give a lot of energy over a short period of time allowing the athlete to sprint at maximum speed.
Basic characteristics of fast twitch and slow twitch fibres
Structural characteristics of muscle fibres
