Neural Control of Movement

Vocabulary flashcards covering the gross organization of muscle, neural control of force, types of muscle contractions, and body movements based on the lecture notes.

Motor unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibres it innervates.

Recruitment

The neural control of force involving the number of activated motor units; more or bigger units are switched on if more force is needed.

Rate coding

Also known as frequency of motor unit activation or firing; one of the primary methods for neural control of force.

Cycling cross-bridges

The ultimate factor to which all neural control of force is related, based on the total number activated.

Fused (complete) tetanus

A sustained maximal contraction where no relaxation occurs after each stimulus.

Isotonic contractions

Dynamic contractions that include both concentric and eccentric types.

Concentric contraction

A dynamic contraction where force develops as the muscle shortens.

Eccentric contraction

A dynamic contraction where force develops as the muscle lengthens.

Isometric (static) contraction

A contraction where force in the muscle increases but the muscle is unable to shorten.

Fascicle

A bundle of muscle fibres within a whole muscle.

Muscle fibre

A muscle cell, categorized as either fast-twitch or slow-twitch.

Myofilaments

The structural components of myofibrils, consisting specifically of Actin and Myosin.

Flexion

A type of body movement often involving the bending of a joint.

Extension

A type of body movement often involving the straightening of a joint.

Abduction

A body movement that involves moving a limb away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

A body movement that involves moving a limb toward the midline of the body.

Circumduction

A body movement involving a circular motion of a limb.

Dorsiflexion

A special movement of the ankle where the foot moves toward the shin.

Plantar flexion

A special movement of the ankle where the foot moves downward, away from the shin.

Inversion

A special movement where the sole of the foot turns medially.

Eversion

A special movement where the sole of the foot turns laterally.

Supination

A special movement of the forearm where the palm is turned upwards.

Pronation

A special movement of the forearm where the palm is turned downwards.

Opposition

A special movement involving the thumb and other fingers.

Peak tetanic force

A measurement used in force-frequency relationships, represented as a value up to $100\,\%$ in control and fatigued muscle.

EDL

A muscle type (Extensor Digitorum Longus) shown in force-frequency relationship graphs with frequencies up to $120\,Hz$.

Soleus

A muscle type shown in force-frequency relationship graphs with frequencies measured up to $200\,Hz$.