Question

Which muscle fiber orientation allows greater force production and which allows faster contraction velocities?

Answer 1

Concentric orientation of muscle fiber allows greater force production. It is a type of muscle contraction that produces tension on the muscle as it shortens. As the muscle shortens, tension on the muscle increases and is able to produce a movement. For example, in weight training, when we lift a dumpbell towards our shoulder, the biceps muscle swell and bulge as it shortens (concentric contraction), which enables us to produce the required greater force for lifting.

Muscles with fibre orientation parallel to the line of contraction have faster contraction velocities. For example, simple twitch muscles like sternocleidomastoid.

Here, we have to understand that force production and contraction velocities are inversely proportional. Muscles with greater force production have low contraction velocity and vice-versa.