ABSTRACT
The maximal, external force which a muscle-or a group of musclescan produce, depends on a number of factors as shown in Figure 2.1. The maximal contraction of the muscle implies a maximal activation of the spinal motor neurones involved (the ‘motor pool’). This activation depends on a number of central nervous factors such as motivation, concentration and so on, and peripheral nervous factors such as reflex mechanisms mediated from different sensory organs (e.g. muscle spindles, tendon organs). The activation of the motor pool is probably also influenced by mutual inhibition of motor neurones supplying motor units of different fibre types. The development of maximal external force further implies a proper inhibition of antagonistic muscles.
