SCH2111 Applied Physiology Week 3: Hypothesis Testing and Muscle Physiology

Practice flashcards covering Null Hypothesis Significance Testing, the Stroop Test protocols, action potential phases, and types of muscle contraction based on the week 3 seminar notes.

Null Hypothesis Significance Testing (NHST)

A method for testing a claim or hypothesis about a parameter in a population using data measured in a sample to determine the likelihood that a sample statistic could have been selected if the hypothesis were true.

Null Hypothesis ($H_0$)

A statement about a population parameter, such as the population mean, that is assumed to be true and serves as the starting point for statistical testing.

Alternative Hypothesis ($H_1$)

A statement that directly contradicts the null hypothesis by stating that the actual value of a population parameter is less than, greater than, or not equal to the null value.

Test Statistic

A mathematical formula used to determine the likelihood of obtaining specific sample outcomes if the null hypothesis were true.

Reject the Null Hypothesis

The decision made when the sample mean is associated with a low probability of occurrence assuming the null hypothesis is true.

Retain the Null Hypothesis

The decision made when the sample mean is associated with a high probability of occurrence assuming the null hypothesis is true.

Stroop Test

A psychological test used to measure interference between word and colour recognition, often involving congruent and incongruent trials.

Congruent Test

The simplest version of the Stroop Test where the subject reads words that match their font colour to record time and errors.

Nerve Conduction Tests (NCT)

Clinical tests used to evaluate the field of nerve conduction and physical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Threshold (Muscle Stimulus)

The minimum stimulus voltage required to begin exciting nerve fibers and producing muscle tension.

Maximum Contraction

The point at which all nerve fibers are excited and muscle tension no longer increases despite further increases in stimulus intensity.

Resting Membrane Potential

The electrical potential of a neuron or muscle cell at rest, typically shown as $-70\,mV$.

Depolarization

The phase of an action potential where the membrane potential becomes more positive, reaching approximately $+35\,mV$.

Repolarization

The phase of an action potential following depolarization where the membrane potential returns toward the resting state.

Hyperpolarization

A phase where the membrane potential becomes more negative than the resting membrane potential, often following repolarization.

Temporal Summation

The increase in muscle tension resulting from a physiologically normal stimulus frequency, leading to incomplete tetanus.

Complete (Fused) Tetanus

State of sustained muscle contraction without relaxation, caused by an unnaturally high stimulus frequency.

Isometric Contraction

A type of contraction where the muscle develops tension but does not shorten, resulting in no movement.

Isotonic Concentric Contraction

A type of contraction where the muscle shortens while tension remains constant, resulting in movement.

Isotonic Eccentric Contraction

A type of contraction where the muscle lengthens while maintaining tension, resulting in movement.