Static Strength

C

cannavaro

0
Can anybody help me with a physiology question?

When you do Isotonic muscle contractions using weights you pump fluid into the muscle and recruit dormant satellite cells- hence the increase in muscle size.

However, what happens when you do static contractions? ie. Handstand, Plank, Half-Lever.
Obviously your strength improves but your size does not- I have seen rake-thin yoga teachers who can do handstands for 10 mins+.
How does the muscle get stronger, what actually happens?

I ask bcos I know a lot of people dont actually want to get big but do want increased strength and improved posture and balance etc.
 
I actually use static contractions (isometric) at the end of my last set to aide in size gains. It is possible that those skinnier people have desensitized there GTO (golgi tendon organ) which would cause the brain to fire less inhibitory action potentials, hence making a person stronger without any gain in actin or myosin.
 
Uh-oh, Mreik brought out the actin and myosin words.

Cannavaro, I can guarrantee you that they have increased the size of their slow-twitch fibers. You'll find endurance athletes who seem to be 'rake-thin' have enlarged (and strengthened) their oxidative fibers. The matter of Yogis' doing 10 minute plus handstands is due to increased endurance from holding the position--you might call it sport (or Yoga) specific.

Disinhibiting the GTO is pretty much it (as Mreik mentioned) and this is how your Oly lifters, powerlifters, and other strength athletes keep getting stronger and not much bigger. Also, keep in mind that in order to gain any size, their must be more calories taken in--if they're not eating, they're not going to grow.

Are yous studying physiology? I finished my exercise phys class this summer and loved it.
 
evolution said:
Uh-oh, Mreik brought out the actin and myosin words.

.....

Are yous studying physiology? I finished my exercise phys class this summer and loved it.
Click to expand...
:) yup, I felt it was the perfect time... I know you weren't talking to me but I'm taking exercise phys right now, it's definatly neat. I'm gonna take leadership 2 next semester.. It's supposed to prepare me to get certified (these are just electives :p ) lol
 
evolution said:
Uh-oh, Mreik brought out the actin and myosin words.

Cannavaro, I can guarrantee you that they have increased the size of their slow-twitch fibers. You'll find endurance athletes who seem to be 'rake-thin' have enlarged (and strengthened) their oxidative fibers. The matter of Yogis' doing 10 minute plus handstands is due to increased endurance from holding the position--you might call it sport (or Yoga) specific.

Disinhibiting the GTO is pretty much it (as Mreik mentioned) and this is how your Oly lifters, powerlifters, and other strength athletes keep getting stronger and not much bigger. Also, keep in mind that in order to gain any size, their must be more calories taken in--if they're not eating, they're not going to grow.

Are yous studying physiology? I finished my exercise phys class this summer and loved it.
Click to expand...

Yeh, I am training as a Gym Instructor.

So would you say that to increase muscle definition without bulking up you should include isometric contractions in your training?
 
Strength gains in isometric exercise are largely due to increased motor neuron recruitment. One will not see drastic size gains from it because of the limited number of muscle fibers used due to lack of range in motion.
 
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