Muscle Contractions
This type of contraction occurs when the muscle shortens.
→ What is a concentric contraction?
The part of the reflex arc that detects a stimulus.
→ What is a receptor?
These receptors provide information about body position and movement.
→ What are proprioceptors?
This macronutrient is the body’s primary energy source.
→ What are carbohydrates?
This system provides quick energy without oxygen.
→ What is the anaerobic system?
This muscle fiber type is most fatigue-resistant and used for endurance activities like marathon running.
→ What are Type I (slow-twitch oxidative) fibers?
This contraction happens when a muscle lengthens under tension.
→ What is an eccentric contraction?
This neuron carries information TO the CNS.
→ What is an afferent (sensory) neuron?
These are located within muscles and detect changes in muscle length.
→ What are muscle spindles?
This macronutrient is stored as triglycerides and used for long-term energy.
→ What are fats?
This energy system uses ATP and creatine phosphate.
→ What is the phosphagen system?
These fibers are recruited FIRST during muscle contraction.
→ What are Type I fibers?
In this contraction, the muscle does not change length.
→ What is an isometric contraction?
This part of the reflex arc is located in the CNS and processes information.
→ What is the integration center (interneuron)?
This reflex causes a muscle to contract when stretched.
→ What is the stretch reflex?
This macronutrient is made of amino acids and helps repair tissues.
→ What are proteins?
This system produces lactic acid as a by-product.
→ What is the glycolytic system?
This fiber type produces moderate force and can use both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism.
→ What are Type IIa (fast-twitch oxidative) fibers?
Holding a plank position is an example of this type of contraction.
→ What is an isometric contraction?
The neuron that carries signals AWAY from the CNS.
→ What is an efferent (motor) neuron?
These receptors detect tension at the muscle-tendon junction.
→ What are Golgi tendon organs?
Carbohydrates are stored in the body in this form.
→ What is glycogen?
This system supports long-duration, endurance activities.
→ What is the oxidative (aerobic) system?
These fibers generate the MOST force and fatigue the fastest.
→ What are Type IIx (fast-twitch glycolytic) fibers?
Lowering a dumbbell slowly during a bicep curl uses this contraction.
→ What is an eccentric contraction?
The muscle or gland that performs the response.
→ What is the effector?
This reflex causes muscle relaxation to prevent injury.
→ What is the tension (inhibitory) reflex?
This macronutrient provides the MOST energy per gram.
→ What are proteins?
This system is fastest but has limited capacity.
→ What is the phosphagen system?
These fibers are best suited for sprinting and weightlifting due to fast, powerful contractions.
→ What are Type IIx fibers?