Muscle Behavior

1
Muscle Behavior

• Threshold the minimum voltage of electrical
  stimulus needed to achieve contraction
• Twitch a stimulus that causes a quick
  contraction and relaxation
• Latent period delay between stimulus and
  contraction (2msec)
• Contraction phase movement of load (rubber band)

2
Muscle Behavior

• Relaxation phase preparing for next twitch
• Recruitment bringing more motor units into play
  to increase contraction strength
• Treppe ride the wave of Ca as stimulus occurs
  before the tissue can reabsorb Ca from previous
  stimulus
• Incomplete tetanus muscle only relaxes partially
  between stimulus

3
Muscle Behavior

• Complete tetanus muscle has no time to relax,
  prolonged contraction to failure
• Isometric contraction contraction without a
  change in muscle length
• Isotonic contraction contraction with change in
  muscle length