Course Content

I. Introduction to the Course

II. Biomechanical Concepts Related
to Human Movement
III. Anatomical Concepts Related to
Human Movement
IV. Qualitative Analysis of Human
Movement
Anatomical Concepts Related
to Human Movement
A. The Skeletal System
B. The Muscular System
C. The Nervous System
The Muscular System
1. Organ Level Structure & Function
2. System Level Structure &
Function
3. Injury to the Musculoskeletal
System
The Muscular System
I. Organ Level Structure & Function
II. System Level Structure &
Function
III. Injury to the Skeletal System
IV. Musculoskeletal Function
General Structure
~ 434 muscles
40%-45% of body weight
75 pairs of muscles
Organized into compartments
Utilizes 50% of bodys metabolism
Controlled by somatic nervous
system
General Function
Provides force/torque for
movement
Maintenance of upright posture
Body transport
Object manipulation
Aids in venous return
Maintains body temperature
Organ Level Structure and
Function
Structure of the Muscle Organ
Function of the Muscle Organ
Organ Level Structure and
Function
Structure of the Muscle Organ
Function of the Muscle Organ
Muscle Tissue
Active Component
Properties of Skeletal Muscle
Tissue
Excitability (Irritability)
Conductivity
Contractility
Extensibility
Elasticity
Connective Tissue
Passive Component
Nerve Tissue
Passive Component
 Structure of the Muscle
Organ
Muscle organ: 40,000 -1,000,000
fibers
Fascicle: 10-200 fibers
Fiber: 8000 fibrils
Muscle Compartments
Organ Level Structure and
Function
Structure of the Muscle Organ
Function of the Muscle Organ
Function of the Muscle
Organ

Force
Production
Series & Parallel Elastic
Tissue
Factors That Affect Force
Output
Physiological factors
Cross-sectional area
Fiber type
Neural factors
Muscle fiber activation
Rate of motor unit activation
Biomechanical factors
Muscle architecture
Force-length relationship
Force-velocity relationship
Physiological Factors: CSA

Training?
Physiological Factors:
Muscle Fiber Type
Type I
Red, SO, slow-twitch
Type IIa
Red, FOG, fast-twitch, intermediate
Type IIb
White, FG, fast-twitch

Training??
 Percentage of Type I Fibers in
Human Skeletal Muscle
Muscle % Muscle %
Obicularis oculi 15 Quadriceps 52
Biceps brachii 38-42 First DI 57
Triceps brachii 33-50 Abductor pollicis 63
brevis
Extensor
digitorum 45 Masseter 60-70
brevis
Vastus lateralis 46 Tibialis anterior 73
Gastrocnemius 49 Adductor pollicis 80
(L)
Factors That Affect Force
Output
Physiological factors
Cross-sectional area
Fiber type
Neural factors
Muscle fiber activation
Rate of motor unit activation
Biomechanical factors
Muscle architecture
Force-length relationship
Force-velocity relationship
 Neurological Factors:
Muscle Fiber Activation
All-or-None Principle
Same fiber type
within MU
10-2000 fibers per
MU
120-580 MUs /
muscle
MU size influences
precision & force of
 Neurological Factors:
Muscle Fiber Activation
# of
activated
MUs, force

Training?
 Neurological Factors:
Rate of Motor Unit
Activation
rate of

MU
activation,
force
 Single Twitch

Training?? Multiple Twitch

Tetanus
Factors That Affect Force
Output
Physiological factors
Cross-sectional area
Fiber type
Neural factors
Muscle fiber activation
Rate of motor unit activation
Biomechanical factors
Muscle architecture
Force-length relationship
Force-velocity relationship
Nonpennate Muscle Pennate Muscle
Ranges of Muscle Pennation in
Humans (Yamaguchi et
al., 1990)
Pennation
Muscle
Angle (deg)
Gluteus maximus 3.4-5.0
Gluteus medius 8.0-19.0
Gluteus minimus 5.0-21.0
Biceps femoris 7.0-17.0
Gastrocnemius
6.5-25.0
(medial)
Gastrocnemius
8.0-16.0
(lateral)
Fiber Density -
PCSA
Nonpennate Muscle Pennate Muscle
CSA & PCSA of Ankle Plantar
Flexors (Fukunaga et
al., 1992)
CSA PCSA
Muscle
(cm2) (cm2)
Medial
16.49 68.34
gastrocnemius
Lateral
11.24 27.78
gastrocnemius
Soleus 29.97 230.02
Flexor hallucis longus 4.85 19.32
Tibialis posterior 5.40 36.83
Biomechanical Factors:
Muscle Architecture
Pennate
Greater force (force ~ PCSA)
Non-pennate
Greater range of muscle lengths
Larger ROM
Greater operating range
Shorten at higher velocities
Training?
Factors That Affect Force
Output
Physiological factors
Cross-sectional area
Fiber type
Neurological factors
Muscle fiber activation
Rate of motor unit activation
Biomechanical factors
Muscle architecture
Force-length relationship
Force-velocity relationship
Humans: 2.6-2.8 m
Active Component
Passive component
Total Force
Single Joint Muscles

60% 110-120% 160%

Multi Joint Muscles

>160%
60%
Factors That Affect Force
Output
Physiological factors
Cross-sectional area
Fiber type
Neurological factors
Muscle fiber activation
Rate of motor unit activation
Biomechanical factors
Muscle architecture
Force-length relationship
Force-velocity relationship
 110-180%
isometric

Biomechanica
l Factors:
Force-Velocity
Relationship

Eccentric Concentric
Velocity
Factors that Affect Force
Output
Physiological factors
Cross-sectional area
Fiber type
Neurological factors
Muscle fiber activation
Rate of motor unit activation
Biomechanical factors
Muscle architecture
Length-tension relationship
Force-velocity relationship
Summary
Numerous factors affect the force
output of the muscle organ.
Identification of these factors
allows us to better understand
muscle strength and explore
alternative training methods that
may be effective in increasing
muscle strength.