What is the muscle length-tension curve?

The isometric length-tension curve represents the force a muscle is capable of generating while held at a series of discrete lengths. When tension at each length is plotted against length, a relationship such as that shown below is obtained.

How many steps explain the muscle contraction theory?

In summary the sliding filament theory of muscle contraction can be broken down into four distinct stages, these are; 1.

What is the basic principle of the length tension principle?

The length-tension (L-T) relationship of muscle basically describes the amount of tension that is produced by a muscle as a feature of it’s length. That is to say, when tested under isometric conditions, the maximal force produced or measured will be different as the muscle lengthens or shortens.

Which is the correct order of events in a contraction?

Stimuli → Neurotransmitter secretion → Cross-bridges formation → Excitation of T-system → Sliding of actin filaments.

What are the steps of muscle contraction in order?

Depolarisation and calcium ion release. Actin and myosin cross-bridge formation. Sliding mechanism of actin and myosin filaments. Sarcomere shortening (muscle contraction)

What are the steps to end a contraction?

Muscle contraction usually stops when signaling from the motor neuron ends, which repolarizes the sarcolemma and T-tubules, and closes the voltage-gated calcium channels in the SR. Ca++ ions are then pumped back into the SR, which causes the tropomyosin to reshield (or re-cover) the binding sites on the actin strands.

How does muscle length affect contraction?

The force -length relationship indicates that muscles generate the greatest force when at their resting (ideal) length, and the least amount of force when shortened or stretched relative to the resting length.

What is the importance of the length-tension relationship?

The key feature of the length-tension relationship is the extra force that can be exerted during muscular contractions when the passive elements are able to contribute, which occurs when the muscle is elongated to long lengths during normal strength training, and also during eccentric training.