EXSC 45080 / EXPH 55080 Lab 3

Physiology of Exercise

Muscle Function
Introduction
Muscular performance is a concern for athletes and the general population alike. Improvements in
muscular strength, power and endurance can improve performance in athletes, and maintain a quality
of life in the general population. In most cases, the Exercise Physiologist will conduct strength testing
using various isotonic exercises, such as the Bench Press, Leg Press or Squat. This can be
accomplished through both predictive means, or through one repetition max (1-RM) testing. It is
important to realize, however, that the 1-RM simply measures the maximal strength at the weakest
point of movement. Moreover, the speed at which contractions take place can have a profound impact
on muscular force production. As a result, the relationship between the force and velocity, as well as
the force and muscle length is of great interest to the Exercise Physiologist.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to:
1. Examine the relationship between muscle force and the length of the muscle.
2. Examine the relationship between muscle force and the velocity of movement.

Lab Equipment
1. HUMAC Isokinetic Dynamometer
2. Tendo Unit OR HUMAC360
3. Bench, Barbell & Weight

Lab Procedures
Length Tension Relationship
1. Complete all procedures on four participants
2. Have the participant cycle for 5 minutes on a cycle ergometer to warm-up
3. Measure passive and active isometric force at 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, 90°, 100°,
110° & 120°.
a. Record peak torque values at each
Force-Velocity Curve
4. Complete all procedures on four participants
5. Have other participants cycle for 5 minutes on the AirDyne bike, focusing on warming up their
upper body.
6. Have the participant complete 5-10 push-ups (modify as necessary relative to the participant’s
strength)
7. Have the participant estimate their maximal strength on the bench press exercise.
8. Have the participant complete 2 repetitions at approximately 30%, 45%, 60%, 75% and 90%.
a. Each lift should be completed as quickly as possible
b. The focus should be moving as fast as possible through the whole movement
9. Record the average velocity for each repetition, and average both readings for each intensity

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EXSC 45080 / EXPH 55080 Lab 3
Physiology of Exercise

Data Reduction (Results)

Calculations
1. Passive Force Data
a. Table all four participant’s data for each angle
b. Calculate averages at each angle
2. Total Force Data
a. Table all four participant’s data for each angle
b. Calculate averages at each angle
3. Active Force Data
a. Calculate the active force for each participant at each angle
i. Active Force = Total Force – Passive Force
b. Table all four participant’s data for each angle
c. Calculate the averages at each angle
4. Force Velocity Data
a. Table all four participant’s velocity for each intensity
b. Calculate average of all participants at each intensity
Graphs
1. Create a Force Tension curve using a line graph
a. In this figure clearly display the passive, active and total force production (on the same
graph)
b. Graph the AVERAGES ONLY (so there will be a total of 3 lines on your graph)
2. Create a Force/Velocity curve using a scatter plot
a. Graph the AVERAGE of the velocities at each intensity (there will only be one line on
this graph)
b. Velocities should be on the Y axis, and 1RM % on the X axis.

Questions
1. Describe the relationship between the active, passive and total isometric forces.
a. What happens to each as the angle increases from 10 deg to 120 deg?
i. As the angle increases from 10 degrees to 120, the first participant's torque stays
at zero (Nm) until 90. At 90 degrees, the torque is 1, along with 100 degrees and
110 degrees. At 120 degrees, the torque increases to 7.
ii. The second participant had numbers similar to the first participant's. They had a
torque level of zero from 10 degrees to 100 degrees. At 110 degrees, they had a
torque of 3, and then at 120 degrees, they had a torque of 7.
iii. The third participant had a torque level of zero from 10 degrees to 80 degrees.
At 90 degrees, they had a torque level of 7. At 100 degrees, their torque level
was at zero. For 110 degrees, they had a level of 5, and at 120 degrees, they had
a torque level of 12.
iv.
b. Why does this happen? In your answer, discuss the different structures within the
skeletal muscles that would produce force actively/passively. Structures to consider are
actin/myosin interactions, titin, etc. Be sure to address each force (active, passive
and total) individually.

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EXSC 45080 / EXPH 55080 Lab 3
Physiology of Exercise

i. Passive force typically happens when the muscle is stretched. So, as the
angle increases, the muscle is being stretched more. Active force occurs
when the muscle becomes shortened. As the muscle length increases, so
does the force. That being said, when the participants were increasing their
angles, they were using passive force, and that is why, as the angle
increased, so did the torque. As the angle decreased, the torque decreased,
too. There is a cross-bridge between the myosin and the actin when active
force occurs. During passive force, the titin and collagen are activated, and
that helps elongate the muscle.

2. Describe the changes in velocity as intensity increases.

a. How does velocity change at different lifting intensities?
i. As the lift intensifies, the velocity decreases. For example, when the participant
was lifting at 30% of their max weight, their velocity was 1.20. When they
moved toward 90% of their max weight, their velocity dropped to 0.43. All
participants' velocity decreased as their max weight percentage increased.

b. Why does this occur? In your answer, be sure to address:

i. Different fiber types their contraction characteristics
1. Slow twitch fibers contract slower than fast twitch fibers. A participant
who may have slow twitch fibers would have a slower velocity because
it requires more time for muscle contraction. On the other hand, a
participant with slow twitch muscles would have a faster velocity
because contracting their muscles takes less time.

ii. Potential muscle structures that may influence this result.

1. Every participant has different muscle structures based on genetics and
activity levels. One participant may have fast twitch muscle fibers that
allow them to thrive with short bursts of energy. On the other hand,
another participant may have slow twitch muscle fibers that allow them
to have higher endurance over time but struggle in short bursts of
energy. We also had some participants who were athletes and were
exercising consistently. Those who work out consistently may have an
easier time with the lighter weight and lower velocity as the weight
increases.

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EXSC 45080 / EXPH 55080 Lab 3
Physiology of Exercise