AT 250 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Muscle Contraction, Alpha Motor Neuron, Plyometrics

• School: Quinnipiac University
• Department: Athletic Training
• Course: AT 250
• Professor: Dr. Susan Norkus

Document Summary

Plyometrics- quick powerful movement involving pre-stretching the muscle and activating stretch- Increase power by increasing work or force produced by muscles and decreasing time to produce force shortening cycle for stronger concentric contraction. Rapid eccentric stretch followed by rapid concentric contraction. Greater stretch relative to resting l = greater resistance muscle can overcome. Purpose- heighten excitability of nervous system for improved reactive ability; produce a more. Facilitates explosive power powerful response in the contracting muscle(s) Goal: decrease time between eccentric and initiation of concentric. Preceded by ecc pre stretch that loads the muscle and preps it for conc contraction. Refers to pre-stretch" or countermovement" action that is commonly observed during typical human movements (such as jumping) that allows the athlete to produce more force and move quicker. Rapid cyclical muscle action whereby the muscle undergoes an eccentric contraction, followed by a transitional period prior to the concentric contraction. Uses kinetic energy the muscles produce when place on quick stretch.