Final answer:
A phase of the SSC associated with muscle contraction is the contraction phase, which occurs when sarcomeres actively shorten and tension in the muscle increases.
Step-by-step explanation:
A phase of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) in the context of muscle contraction can be related to the phases of a muscle twitch, which include the latent period, the contraction phase, and the relaxation phase. Specifically, during the contraction phase of a muscle twitch, there is an increase in tension as sarcomeres shorten, which is crucial for the SSC. The sarcolemma, being the plasma membrane of a skeletal muscle fiber, plays a pivotal role in propagating the action potential that triggers the contraction. The sequence from motor neuron signaling to a skeletal muscle fiber contraction is known as excitation-contraction coupling, which involves several steps, including the aforementioned contraction phase.