Research Corner - Q&A Muscle Twitches by Mike Demora | Date Released : 17 Oct 2001 0 comments Print Close Question What causes a muscle to twitch? Answer A muscle twitch is just a single response to a particular stimulus. The twitch can vary considerably according to the type of muscle that that has been stimulated. Basically, there are 3 types of twitch responses based on the 3 types of different fibers being stimulated. If we go in depth we could have reason to argue there are up to 7 different types of fibers, but for this discussion let us stick to the 3 most obvious types of fibers. There are the fast twitch, the slow twitch and the intermediate type. This has to do with the speed of contraction after they have been stimulated from the nerve impulse. The difference between the fast twitch and slow twitch can be quite about 8 times as fast. Fast twitch fibers are located in muscles like the eyeball where our sight depends on speed of contraction and precision of movement. Slow twitch fibers are located mostly in out posture muscles like the back and calves where the muscles need to stay in one place and support the body for a period of time. The fast twitch fibers will hit peak contraction in under 5 mili- seconds. Whereas the slow twitch fiber will take up to 40 mili-seconds to hit full contraction. Most of our muscles contain fibers that are considered to be in the intermediate range and have a contraction rate between 10 and 20 mili-seconds. Back to top About the author: Mike Demora Mike DeMora has been in the industry 15 years but has kept himself hidden away in Southern California for most of this time. He decided to accept the position as Director of Education for the National College of Exercise Professionals and has not looked back. Mike is a Board Certified Exercise Therapist (NETABOC.org) and has a Master's degree in Sports Science and Education. Full Author Details Related content Content from Mike Demora There is no related content. Please click here to see more... | Calcification of Femur Mike Demora | Articles No Thyroid and Weight Loss Mike Demora | Articles Gymnastics and Stunted Growth Mike Demora | Articles Weight Training and Youth Mike Demora | Articles Effect of Temperature on Performance Mike Demora | Articles Lyme Disease Mike Demora | Articles Teenage Track Athletes Mike Demora | Articles High Heart Rate with Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Thyroid and Weight Loss Mike Demora | Articles Cardiomyopathy Mike Demora | Articles Diarrhea and Running Mike Demora | Articles Dementia Mike Demora | Articles Horse Riding and Muscle Imbalances Mike Demora | Articles Red Marks from Lifting Weights Mike Demora | Articles Shin Splints Mike Demora | Articles Allergies and Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Females Running: Impact Issues Mike Demora | Articles Red Tingling Hands Mike Demora | Articles Mild Kyphosis Mike Demora | Articles Torn Cartliage Mike Demora | Articles Yawning During Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Swollen Fingers, Red Hands Mike Demora | Articles Hip Dysplasia Mike Demora | Articles Osgood-Schlatter Mike Demora | Articles Crash Diet Dangers Mike Demora | Articles Freestyle Training for Spot Reduction Mike Demora | Articles Emphysema Mike Demora | Articles Patella Femoral Syndrome and Squatting Mike Demora | Articles Chondromalacia and Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Graves Disease Mike Demora | Articles Leg Surgery: Low Impact Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Gout in Elbow Mike Demora | Articles Pear Shaped Female Runners Part 1 Mike Demora | Articles Pear Shaped Female Runners Part 2 Mike Demora | Articles Tips for Spotting Mike Demora | Articles Running: Sports Specific Training for 800m Mike Demora | Articles Muscle Twitches Mike Demora | Articles Politeus Muscle: Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Crepitus "Cracking" in Joints Mike Demora | Articles Big Legs and Thighs Mike Demora | Articles Breathing During Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Electric Muscle Stimulators Mike Demora | Articles Brown Adipose Tissue Mike Demora | Articles Achilles Tendon Surgery, Decreased ROM Mike Demora | Articles Glandular Fever Mike Demora | Articles Plantar Fasciitis Mike Demora | Articles Lower Cross Syndrome Mike Demora | Articles Blind Client: Training Programs Mike Demora | Articles Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Mike Demora | Articles Hypertension Mike Demora | Articles Encephalitis Mike Demora | Articles Cold Hands Mike Demora | Articles Leg Burn when Changing from Running to Cycling Mike Demora | Articles Large Stomachs Mike Demora | Articles Stitch Mike Demora | Articles Water Polo Mike Demora | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top