Theories of Muscle Activation

Theories of muscle activation explain how our nervous system controls muscle contractions. The "Size Principle" suggests that small, precise muscle fibers are activated first for light tasks, and larger, powerful fibers are recruited for stronger effort. The "Motor Unit Recruitment" theory states that motor units (a motor neuron and the muscle fibers it controls) are activated in sequence based on needed force. These theories describe how our brain effectively and gradually engages different muscle fibers to perform tasks smoothly and efficiently, ensuring precise control during movement.