Question

1.

Improvements in strength after a short period (such as 2 weeks) of resistance training are mainly due to:

		Neural adaptations
		Both neural adaptations and increases in muscle size equally
		Increases in muscle size

2.

What is "cross education" with respect to resistance training?

		The improvement in strength is greater in those with a history of strength training.
		Resistance training also results in improved endurance performance.
		Resistance training in one limb also results in muscular strength increase in the untrained contralateral limb.
		Endurance training also results in muscular strength increases even if resistance training is minimal.

Resistance training is thought to reduce neural inhibition. What structure would be targeted and in what way assuming this is true?

		Muscle spindles, which respond to tension development, send more stimulatory signals to the central nervous system.
		Golgi tendon organs, which respond to tension development, send fewer inhibitory signals to the central nervous system.
		Muscle spindles, which respond to tension development, send fewer inhibitory signals to the central nervous system.
		Golgi tendon organs, which respond to tension development, send more stimulatory signals to the central nervous system.

Answer 1

First question:

Correct Answer = Neural adaptation

Explanation:

• An increase in the muscle strength during the initial 2 weeks of resistance training and 40% thereafter is due to neural adaption
• These neural adaptations are:
  1. Increase in central drive
  2. Several motor units start to fire at the same time
  3. Reduction in the threshold required to recruit motor units
  4. Increase motor unit firing
  5. Decrease in the co-activation of the antagonist muscle.

Second question:

Correct answer: Resistance training in one limb also results in muscular strength increase in the untrained contralateral limb

Explanation:

• Cross education helps to maintain muscle integrity in the untrained limb
• The strength in the untrained limb increases by 60 % of that of the trained limb.
• Prevents muscle atrophy in the untrained muscle.

Third question:

Correct answer: Golgi tendon organ, which respond to tension development, send fewer inhibitory signals to the central nervous system.

Explanation:

• Golgi tendon is a proprioceptor situated in the tendon of the muscle.
• It senses muscle tension and brings about relaxation of the muscle.
• With training, the Golgi Ib afferent brings about pre-synaptic inhibition of muscle spindle Ia afferent.