Muscle Tension & Contraction Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts related to muscle tension, contraction, motor units, and ATP usage from the provided lecture notes.

Muscle Fiber

A muscle cell that is capable of contraction.

Peak Tension

The maximum amount of tension produced by a muscle.

Frequency of Stimulation

How often a muscle fiber is stimulated which influences muscle tension.

Optimal Length

The length at which a muscle fiber generates the maximum tension.

Crossbridge Formation

The process where myofilaments interact during muscle contraction.

Wave Summation

The increase in muscular contraction strength through rapid stimulation.

Incomplete Tetanus

A state of sustained muscle contraction with brief relaxations.

Complete Tetanus

Continuous contraction of muscle fibers without relaxation.

Motor Unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers that it innervates.

Metabolism & ATP Usage

The processes by which muscle generates ATP to fuel contraction.

Aerobic Metabolism

Energy production in the presence of oxygen.

Anaerobic Metabolism

Energy production without the need for oxygen.

Glycolysis

The breakdown of glucose to generate ATP.

Recruitment

The activation of additional motor units to increase muscle tension.

Lactate

A byproduct of anaerobic metabolism that can contribute to muscle soreness.