178k views
2 votes
During which stage of the SSC are the muscle spindles stretched along with the noncontractile tissues within the muscle?

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

During the eccentric contraction phase of the Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC), muscle spindles are stretched along with the noncontractile tissues within the muscle, triggering a reflexive muscle contraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The muscle spindles are stretched along with the noncontractile tissues within the muscle during the stretch-reflex, specifically during the eccentric contraction phase of the Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC). Muscle spindles, which are proprioceptive stretch receptors within a muscle, are activated when the muscle is lengthened. In response to this stretching, muscle spindles send signals to the spinal cord, which then trigger a reflexive contraction of the muscle to prevent overstretching and injury. This reflexive action contributes to the rapid transition from muscle lengthening to muscle contracting, which is a characteristic of the SSC, often seen in activities like jumping and running.

User Bora Sumer
by
7.9k points