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AQA A Level PE > Neuromuscular System > Flashcards

Neuromuscular System Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three types of muscle fibers?

A

• Slow oxidative - type 1
• Fast oxidative glycolytic - type IIa
• Fast glycolytic - type IIb

Muscle fibers differ in their contraction speed and energy utilization.

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2
Q

What regulates the function of internal organs?

A

The autonomic nervous system

The autonomic nervous system operates involuntarily.

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3
Q

What is the neuromuscular system?

A

The system where the nervous system and muscles work together to allow movement.

It is controlled by the brain via nerves.

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4
Q

When do changes in the neuromuscular system take place?

A

Before, during, and after exercise.

These changes are crucial for adapting to physical activity.

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5
Q

What are the two components of the peripheral neuromuscular system?

A

• Sympathetic nervous system
• Parasympathetic nervous system

Both systems transmit information from the brain to different body parts.

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6
Q

What is the role of the sympathetic neuromuscular system?

A

Prepares the body for exercise.

This includes the fight or flight response.

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7
Q

What does the parasympathetic neuromuscular system do?

A

Relaxes the body and slows down high energy functions.

It promotes rest and recovery.

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ nervous system prepares the body for exercise.

A

sympathetic

This system is responsible for activating the body’s stress response.

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9
Q

True or False: The autonomic nervous system is involved in voluntary control of muscle movement.

A

False

The autonomic nervous system operates involuntarily.

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ nervous system helps the body relax after exercise.

A

parasympathetic

This system aids in recovery and energy conservation.

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11
Q

What determines the number of slow and fast twitch fibres you have?

A

Genetics

Everyone has a mixture of the three types of muscle fibres in different proportions.

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12
Q

What is the term for the percentage of fast and slow twitch fibres in a person?

A

Muscle fibre composition

This composition varies from person to person.

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13
Q

List the three types of muscle fibres based on size, colour, contraction speed, force, and energy source.

A
  • Slow twitch: type 1 slow oxidative fibres
  • Fast twitch: type IIA fast oxidative glycolytic fibres
  • Fast twitch: type IIX fast glycolytic fibres

Each type has distinct characteristics and functions.

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14
Q

What are the characteristics of slow twitch muscle fibres?

A
  • Smaller muscles
  • Darkish red in colour
  • Slow contraction speed
  • Low force
  • Fatigue resistant
  • Adapted to lower intensity exercise over a longer period
  • Produce energy aerobically

Example of use: marathon running.

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15
Q

What are the characteristics of fast twitch muscle fibres?

A
  • Larger muscles
  • Lighter red (type IIA) or white (type IIX) in colour
  • Fast contraction speed
  • Generate greater force of contraction
  • Fatigue quickly
  • Used for short, intense bursts of effort
  • Produce energy anaerobically

These fibres are crucial for activities like sprinting.

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16
Q

True or False: Slow twitch fibres are adapted for short, intense bursts of effort.

A

False

Slow twitch fibres are adapted for lower intensity, longer duration activities.

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17
Q

Fill in the blank: Fast twitch fibres produce energy _______.

A

Anaerobically

This means they do not require oxygen for energy production.

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18
Q

What colour are type IIX fast twitch fibres?

A

White

They are typically larger and have a different function compared to type IIA.

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19
Q

What type of exercise is slow twitch muscle fibre primarily adapted for?

A

Lower intensity exercise over a longer period

Examples include endurance activities like marathon running.

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20
Q

What are the two types of fast twitch muscle fibers?

A

Type IIa and Type IIx

Type IIa is also known as fast oxidative glycolytic, while Type IIx is referred to as fast glycolytic.

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21
Q

What is the color and primary energy source of Type IIa fibers?

A

Lighter red color, uses oxygen and glucose as energy

Type IIa fibers have some aerobic properties.

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22
Q

What are the characteristics of Type IIa muscle fibers?

A
  • Faster switch speed
  • More resistant to fatigue
  • Suitable for prolonged max effort events (e.g., 800m - 1500m)

Type IIa fibers are ideal for middle-distance running due to their aerobic properties.

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23
Q

What is the color and primary energy source of Type IIx fibers?

A

White color, uses glucose stored as glycogen

Type IIx fibers have a low oxygen capacity.

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24
Q

What are the characteristics of Type IIx muscle fibers?

A
  • Largest muscles
  • Fastest twitch speed
  • Fatigues quicker than Type IIa
  • Suitable for short, highly explosive events (e.g., 100m, weight lifting)

Type IIx fibers are designed for quick bursts of energy.

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25
Give 3 functional characteristics of type 1 muscle fibres
- slow contraction speed - low force - low fatigue
26
Give 3 structural characteristics of type 1 muscle fibres
- high mitochondrial density - high myoglobin content - high capillary density
27
Give 3 functional characteristics of type 11a muscle fibres
- fast contraction speed - medium fatigue - medium aerobic capacity
28
Give 3 structural characteristics of type 11a muscle fibres
- medium mitochondrial density - medium myoglobin content - medium capillary density
29
Give 3 functional characteristics of type 11x muscle fibres
- fast contraction speed - high force - high fatigue
30
Give 3 structural characteristics of type 11x muscle fibres
- low mitochondrial density - low myoglobin content - low capillary density
31
What is a motor unit?
A motor unit consists of a motor neurone and its muscle fibres.
32
How many types of muscle fibres can be found in one particular motor unit?
Only one type of muscle fibre can be found in one particular motor unit.
33
What is the role of muscle fibres in muscle contractions?
Muscle fibres work with the nervous system so that a contraction can occur.
34
What are motor neurones?
Nerve cells which transmit the brain's instructions as electrical impulses to the muscles.
35
What occurs when an electrical impulse travels down the spinal cord?
Muscle contractions occur when the impulse travels along motor neurones to the muscle fibres.
36
What is the relationship between the size of motor units and contraction power?
Small motor units have few muscle fibres and result in less powerful contractions; large motor units have more muscle fibres and result in more powerful contractions.
37
Fill in the blank: A motor unit consists of a _______ and its muscle fibres.
[motor neurone]
38
True or False: A motor unit can consist of multiple types of muscle fibres.
False
39
What determines the force of muscle contraction?
The number of motor units recruited and muscle fiber type ## Footnote More recruited motor units lead to a bigger force of contraction.
40
How does muscle fiber type influence contraction?
Muscle fiber type determines the force of contraction; fast twitch fibers lead to powerful contractions ## Footnote Fast twitch fibers are associated with strength and speed.
41
Fill in the blank: More recruited motor units equals _______.
bigger force
42
True or False: The type of muscle fibers does not affect the force of contraction.
False
43
What type of fibers are associated with powerful contractions?
Fast twitch fibers
44
What is the all or none law?
When a motor neurone stimulates its muscle fibres, either all of them contract or none at all.
45
What happens if an impulse is big enough?
All of the fibres in the motor unit will contract.
46
What occurs if the impulse is not big enough?
None of the fibres will contract.
47
How can the strength of a contraction be increased?
Through wave summation, tetanic contraction, and spatial summation.
48
What is wave summation?
A repeated nerve impulse with no time to relax, resulting in a smooth, sustained contraction.
49
How does wave summation affect muscular contraction strength?
It allows for a more powerful contraction as the muscle is stimulated again before it relaxes.
50
Fill in the blank: Wave summation occurs when there is a repeated nerve impulse with no time to _______.
[relax]
51
What is teranic contraction?
The fusion of contractions to produce continuous contraction. ## Footnote Occurs when a muscle is stimulated before the previous contraction has finished.
52
What happens during rapid firing in wave summation?
Allows the strength of the impulse to be increased and maximum force to be maintained. ## Footnote Examples include positions like a planche or crucifix in gymnastics.
53
What is wave summation?
When impulses are received before the previous contraction has finished, leading to a stronger contraction. ## Footnote Illustrated with a specific timing of muscle contractions.
54
What is incomplete tetany?
A state where muscle contractions are not fully fused but occur at a high frequency. ## Footnote Characterized by a sustained contraction with some relaxation.
55
What is complete tetanus?
A state where muscle contractions are fully fused and there is no relaxation between them. ## Footnote Represents maximum muscle tension.
56
What is spatial summation?
When the strength of a contraction changes by altering the number and size of motor units recruited. ## Footnote Involves simultaneous impulses received at different places on the neurone.
57
How does spatial summation affect endurance activities?
Delays the onset of fatigue by sharing the burden of exercise among motor units. ## Footnote Used for low-intensity events.
58
Fill in the blank: Spatial summation is used for _______ activities.
[endurance / low-intensity]
59
What are proprioceptors?
Sensory receptors in the muscles, tendons, and joints that detect changes in muscle movement and position. ## Footnote Proprioceptors play a crucial role in body awareness and coordination.
60
What is the role of muscle spindles?
They detect how far and fast a muscle is being stretched. ## Footnote Muscle spindles are essential for the stretch reflex mechanism.
61
What is the stretch reflex?
A reflex produced if a muscle is stretched too far or too fast to prevent over-stretching and damage. ## Footnote This reflex helps protect muscles from injury.
62
What is an isometric contraction?
When a muscle is under tension and contracting but its length does not change and there is no visible movement. ## Footnote Isometric contractions are often used in strength training.
63
What is the Golgi Tendon Organ?
A type of proprioceptor activated when there is tension in the muscle. ## Footnote Golgi Tendon Organs help prevent muscle damage by inhibiting excessive tension.
64
What is autogenic inhibition?
A sudden relaxation of the muscle in response to high tension, involving Golgi Tendon Organs. ## Footnote This mechanism is important for muscle relaxation during high tension activities.
65
Fill in the blank: Proprioceptors are found in the _______.
muscles, tendons, and joints
66
True or False: Muscle spindles are involved in detecting muscle tension.
False
67
True or False: Autogenic inhibition involves Golgi Tendon Organs.
True
68
What is the PNF stretching method?
A method that incorporates proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to enhance flexibility and range of motion. ## Footnote PNF stretching often involves both stretching and contracting the targeted muscle group.
69
What is PNF?
An advanced stretching technique that usually involves a partner and can be passive or active.
70
What are the two types of PNF stretching?
1. Passive stretch 2. Active stretch
71
What is the most effective form of flexibility training for increasing range of movement at the joints?
PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation)
72
What is the role of muscle action in PNF?
Muscle action has to be constant for movement to be effective.
73
What are proprioceptors?
Sensory organs in the muscles, tendons, and joints that inform the body of the extent of movement that has taken place.
74
What are the two types of proprioceptors involved in PNF?
1. Muscle spindles 2. Golgi tendon organs
75
What do muscle spindles provide to the central nervous system?
Excitatory signals about how fast and far a muscle is being stretched.
76
What reflex action is triggered by muscle spindles?
Stretch reflex that causes the muscle to contract to prevent over-stretching.
77
What do muscle spindles help reduce the risk of?
Injury due to over-stretching.
78
Muscle spindles are often called _______.
[stretch receptors]
79
What does the central nervous system send back to the muscle during the stretch reflex?
An impulse telling it to contract.
80
What is the effect of passive stretching in PNF?
Greater range of movement.
81
What is the primary function of Golgi tendon organs?
To detect changes in muscle tension.
82
What are Golgi tendon organs?
Found between muscle fibers and tendon
83
What do Golgi tendon organs detect?
Reverses tension in a muscle
84
What happens when a muscle is contracted isometrically in PNF?
GTOs sense an increase in muscle tension and send inhibitory signals to the brain
85
What is the effect of inhibitory signals from GTOs?
Allows the muscle to relax and lengthen
86
What occurs if there is too much tension in a muscle?
The muscle needs to relax
87
What does the Golgi tendon organ override?
Muscle spindles
88
What is the term for the process where GTOs inhibit muscle contraction?
Autogenic inhibition
89
What is one result of autogenic inhibition?
Improved flexibility / range of movement
90
What is detected by muscle spindles during passive stretching?
Stretch reflex
91
What is activated by muscle spindles when stretched too far?
Stretch reflex to prevent overstretching
92
What is the aim of PNF stretching?
To override the stretch reflex
93
What activates the Golgi tendon organs during PNF?
Isometric contraction
94
What do Golgi tendon organs send out during isometric contraction?
Inhibitory signals
95
What does autogenic inhibition delay?
Stretch reflex
96
What happens to the muscle during repeated static stretching?
Muscle relaxes and there is a greater range of motion than initial stretch
97
What is one strength of PNF stretching?
Quicker flexibility gains than static stretching ## Footnote PNF stands for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.
98
How do PNF flexibility gains compare to other methods?
Equal / better flexibility gains than other methods ## Footnote PNF is often compared to static and dynamic stretching.
99
What is another strength of PNF stretching?
Aids muscle relaxation ## Footnote Muscle relaxation can enhance recovery and performance.
100
Which types of athletes benefit from PNF stretching?
Suitable for athletes such as gymnasts and swimmers ## Footnote These athletes often require high levels of flexibility.
101
When is PNF stretching most appropriate?
At the end of a session to return muscles to their pre-exercise length ## Footnote This is particularly useful when a performer has a good range of movement.
102
What is a weakness of PNF stretching?
Mostly requires a partner to assist ## Footnote This can limit its practicality for solo athletes.
103
What is a disadvantage of PNF stretching in terms of technique?
Complex / time-consuming technique ## Footnote This complexity can make it less accessible for some individuals.
104
What discomfort is associated with PNF stretching?
Greater discomfort and risks compared to static stretching ## Footnote This can discourage some athletes from using PNF.
105
What is a negative effect of performing PNF stretching immediately prior to activity?
Reduces power and speed ## Footnote This makes PNF unsuitable for warm-up routines.

AQA A Level PE (8 decks)

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