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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.1 Draw and label a diagram of a motor
unit.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
function

2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics

http://academic.wsc.edu/faculty/jatodd1/351/motor_unit.jpg
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.1 Draw and label a diagram of a motor
unit.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
function

2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.1 Draw and label a diagram of a motor
unit.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
function

2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics

http://www.brainexplorer.org/brain-images/dendrite.jpg
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.1 Draw and label a diagram of a motor
unit.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
function

2. Joint and
 Label: dendrite, cell body, nucleus, axon, motor
movement type
end plate, synapse and muscle.
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
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Movement analysis
Sports,
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Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.2 Explain the role of neurotransmitters in
stimulating muscle contraction.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
function  Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are used
2. Joint and
for communication between a neuron at the
movement type synapse and another cell.
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics

Wilmore et.al 2008

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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.2 Explain the role of neurotransmitters in
stimulating muscle contraction.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
function  Acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter for
2. Joint and
the motor neurons that innervate skeletal muscle
movement type and for most parasympathetic neurons. It is
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
generally an excitatory neurotransmitter, but it
can have inhibitory effects at some
parasympathetic nerve endings, such as the
heart.

Wilmore et.al 2008

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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.2 Explain the role of neurotransmitters in
stimulating muscle contraction.
Sub-topics

In biochemistry, cholinesterase is an enzyme

1. Neuromuscular
function
that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the
2. Joint and
neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and
movement type
acetic acid, a reaction necessary to allow a
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics neuron to return to its resting state after
activation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholinesterase_enzyme
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics
 When muscle contracts, muscle fibres shorten.
1. Neuromuscular
How do they shorten? The explanation for this
function
phenomenon is termed the Sliding Filament
2. Joint and Theory.
movement type
 When the myosin cross-bridges are activated,
they bind with actin, resulting in a
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics

conformational change in the cross-bridge,

which causes the myosin to tilt and to drag the
thin filament toward the centre of the
sarcomere.
Wilmore et.al 2008
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics
 This tilting of the head is referred to as the
1. Neuromuscular
power stroke. The pulling of the thin filament
function
past the thick filament shortens the sarcomere
2. Joint and and generates force. When the fibres are not
contracting, the myosin head remains in
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics contact with the actin molecule, but the
molecular bonding at the site is weakened or
blocked by tropomyosin.
(Tropomyosin is an actin-binding protein that
regulates actin mechanics.)
 Wilmore et.al 2008
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Movement analysis
Sports,
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Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics
 Troponin is a complex of three proteins that is
1. Neuromuscular
integral to muscle contraction in skeletal and
function
cardiac muscle, but not smooth muscle.
2. Joint and Troponin is attached to the protein
tropomyosin and lies within the groove
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics between actin filaments in muscle tissue. In a
relaxed muscle, tropomyosin blocks the
attachment site for the myosin crossbridge,
thus preventing contraction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troponin
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics
 When the muscle cell is stimulated to contract
1. Neuromuscular
by an action potential, calcium channels open
function
in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and release
2. Joint and calcium into the sarcoplasm. Some of this
calcium attaches to troponin, causing a
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics conformational change that moves
tropomyosin out of the way so that the cross
bridges can attach to actin and produce muscle
contraction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troponin
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics
 Immediately after the myosin head tilts, it
1. Neuromuscular
breaks away from the active site, rotates back
function
to its original position, and attaches to a new
2. Joint and active site farther along the actin filament.
Repeated attachments and power strokes
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics cause the filaments to slide past one another,
giving rise to the term sliding filament theory.
This process continues until the ends of the
myosin filaments reaches the Z-disks, or until
the Calcium is pumped back into the
sarcoplasmic reticulum.
 Wilmore et.al 2008
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics  The sarcoplasmic reticulum is a special type of smooth
ER found in smooth and striated muscle. The only
1. Neuromuscular
function
structural difference between this organelle and the
smooth endoplasmic reticulum is the medley of protein
2. Joint and
movement type
they have, both bound to their membranes and drifting
within the confines of their lumens. This fundamental
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
difference is indicative of their functions: the smooth ER
synthesizes molecules and the sarcoplasmic reticulum
stores and pumps calcium ions. The sarcoplasmic
reticulum contains large stores of calcium, which it
sequesters and then releases when the cell is
depolarized. This has the effect of triggering muscle
contraction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoplasmic_reticulum
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
 During this sliding (contraction), the thin
filaments move toward the centre of the
function

2. Joint and
movement type
sarcomere and protrude into the H-zone,
3. Fundamentals
ultimately overlapping. When this occurs, the H
of biomechanics
zone is no longer visible.

 Wilmore et.al 2008

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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.3 Explain how skeletal muscle contracts
by the sliding filament theory.
Sub-topics

1. Neuromuscular
function

2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics

http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/oxford/Oxford_Sports/0199210896.sliding-filament-theory.1.jpg
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.4 Explain how slow and fast twitch fibre
types differ in structure and function.
Sub-topics

Skeletal muscles contain two main types of

1. Neuromuscular
function
fibers, which differ in the primary mechanisms
they use to produce ATP, the type of motor
neuron innervation, and the type of myosin
2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
heavy chain expressed. The proportions of
each type of fiber varies from muscle to
muscle, from animal to animal, and from
person to person.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_muscle
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.4 Explain how slow and fast twitch fibre
types differ in structure and function.
Sub-topics

Slow-twitch, or type I, fibers (sometimes

1. Neuromuscular
function
referred to as "Red") have more mitochondria,
store oxygen in myoglobin, rely on aerobic
metabolism, have a greater capillary to volume
2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
ratio and are associated with endurance; these
produce ATP more slowly. Marathon runners
tend to have more type I fibers, generally
through a combination of genetics and
training.
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.4 Explain how slow and fast twitch fibre
types differ in structure and function.
Sub-topics
Fast-twitch, or type II, fibers (sometimes
1. Neuromuscular
referred to as "White") have fewer
function
mitochondria, are capable of more powerful
2. Joint and
movement type
(but shorter) contractions, metabolize ATP
3. Fundamentals
more quickly, have a lower capillary to volume
of biomechanics
ratio, and are more likely to accumulate lactic
acid. Weightlifters and sprinters tend to have
more type II fibers. Type II fibers are
distinguished by their primary sub-types, IIa,
IIx, and IIb, as described below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_muscle
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.4 Explain how slow and fast twitch fibre
types differ in structure and function.
Sub-topics

Type II fibers come in three primary sub-types,

1. Neuromuscular
function
called type IIa, IIx, and IIb. Recent studies
show that human skeletal muscle contains type
I, IIa, and IIx fibers, though confusingly,
2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
human IIx fibers used to be referred to as type
IIb. Types IIa, IIx, and IIb fibers are found in
skeletal muscle of other mammals (e.g.,
rodents and cats).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_muscle
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.1.4 Explain how slow and fast twitch fibre
types differ in structure and function.
Sub-topics

Look up the following website and copy the

1. Neuromuscular
function
table.
2. Joint and

Skeletal muscle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.1 Outline the types of movement of
synovial joints.
Sub-topics

Consider: flexion/extension, abduction/adduction,

1. Neuromuscular
function pronation/supination, elevation/depression,
2. Joint and
rotation, circumduction, dorsi flexion/plantar
movement type
flexion, eversion/inversion.
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics

Use the following website to copy definitions of the

above terms:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomical_terms_of_
motion -
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.2 Outline the types of muscle contraction.

Sub-topics

- Isotonic contraction: an increase in

1. Neuromuscular
function tension (load) results in changes in
2. Joint and
movement type
skeletal muscle length. i.e. lengthening
3. Fundamentals
and shortening of the muscle.
of biomechanics
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.2 Outline the types of muscle contraction.

Sub-topics There are two types of isotonic contraction:

1. Neuromuscular
function
- Concentric contraction: concerns muscle actions
2. Joint and
movement type
that produce a force to overcome the load being
acted upon. The work done is referred to as
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
positive work.
- It is shortening contraction which typically occurs
against gravity.
e.g. the lifting phase of the bicep curl.

Sewell et.al 2005

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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.2 Outline the types of muscle contraction.

Sub-topics - Eccentric contraction: refers to muscle action in

which the muscle force yields to the imposed
1. Neuromuscular
function load. The work done during a concentric
2. Joint and
contraction is referred to as negative.
movement type
 It is a lengthening contraction which typically occurs
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics with gravity.
 Absolute tensions achieved are very high relative to
the muscles maximum tension generating capacity i.e.
you can set down a much heavier object then you can
lift. It can be very useful when applied to Strength
training.
Sewell et.al 2005
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotonic_%28exercise_physiology%29
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.2 Outline the types of muscle contraction.

Sub-topics

Isometric contraction: In general in this form

1. Neuromuscular
function
of contraction the muscle length remains
constant. It occurs when muscle force
2. Joint and
movement type balances resistance and no joint movement
3. Fundamentals occurs.
of biomechanics
Note: It is the joint angle that remains constant
because there are internal movement processes
that take place during muscle contraction that
make it virtually impossible for the fibres to remain
the same length.
e.g. carrying an armful of shopping bags.
Sewell et.al 2005
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.2 Outline the types of muscle contraction.

Sub-topics
Isokinetic contraction: The term is used in
two contexts. First, as a specific muscle
1. Neuromuscular
contraction and second as a testing and
function
rehabilitation machine.
2. Joint and
movement type
The term isokinetic is often inappropriate since it is
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics impossible to carry out a constant-velocity full
range of movement muscle contraction.
According to Newton’s second law, a muscle that
contracts from rest and returns to that state must
involve acceleration. Therefore constant angular
velocity about a joint can only take place over part
of that action range.
Sewell et.al 2005
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.2 Outline the types of muscle contraction.

Sub-topics
Isokinetic contraction: The term is used in
two contexts. First, as a specific muscle
1. Neuromuscular
contraction and second as a testing and
function
rehabilitation machine.
2. Joint and
movement type
The term isokinetic is often inappropriate since it is
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics impossible to carry out a constant-velocity full
range of movement muscle contraction.
According to Newton’s second law, a muscle that
contracts from rest and returns to that state must
involve acceleration. Therefore constant angular
velocity about a joint can only take place over part
of that action range.
Sewell et.al 2005
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.3 Explain the concept of reciprocal
inhibition.
Sub-topics

Research Task: Explain the concept of reciprocal

inhibition, considering the terms agonist and
1. Neuromuscular
function

2. Joint and
antagonist.
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
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Movement analysis
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Topic 4
Movement
analysis
4.2.4 Analyse movements in relation to joint
action and muscle contraction.
Sub-topics

Using the following website complete 4 examples

1. Neuromuscular
function such as the one below.
2. Joint and
movement type
e.g.during a bicep curl the joint action is flexion.
3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics
The biceps contracts concentrically while the tricep
contracts eccentrically.

http://
www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html
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Movement analysis
Sports,
exercise and
health science

Topic 4
Movement 4.2.5 Discuss delayed onset of muscle soreness
analysis
(DOMS) in relation to eccentric and concentric muscle
contractions.
Sub-topics

Read and summarise the article below.

1. Neuromuscular
function

2. Joint and
movement type

3. Fundamentals
of biomechanics

http://
sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/injuri
es/a/doms.htm