Final answer:
Individuals with pathology may exhibit different muscle contractions, such as isometric contractions in hypotonia, due to changes in muscle tissue and performance. Exercise, including electrical stimulation, can help maintain muscle functionality. Hypertonia might lead to rigidity or spasticity, affecting contractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with pathology may use different types of muscle contractions for task performance compared to those without any pathology. Normally, healthy muscle tissue relies on sub-maximal contractions to perform tasks. However, pathologies can lead to changes in muscle contractile properties. Muscle atrophy, or the loss of muscle tissue due to the replacement of muscle fibers with connective and adipose tissues, can occur in individuals who do not use their muscles sufficiently, leading to decreased muscle performance and appearance. When actual movement isn't possible, electrical stimulation might be used to trigger contractions, thus maintaining muscle functionality.
Furthermore, depending on the specific pathology, muscles might exhibit hypotonia (abnormally low muscle tone) or hypertonia (abnormally high muscle tone), which could influence the types of contractions utilized for task performance. For instance, isometric contractions, where the muscle tension remains the same while the muscle does not change its length, might be used when muscle tone is insufficient for isotonic contractions. Conversely, individuals with hypertonia might exhibit muscle rigidity or spasticity, affecting the muscle's ability to control contractions smoothly.