How Does Hill's Law Affect Lifting Different Weights?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Hill's Law, which describes the relationship between muscle contraction velocity and the weight being lifted. Participants clarify that while theoretically, one could lift weights infinitely quickly by applying infinite force, biological limits restrict muscle contraction speed. The graph representing this relationship shows that velocity is inversely proportional to force, emphasizing that as the weight increases, the lifting speed decreases due to power limitations. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these physiological constraints in the context of lifting different weights.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hill's Law in muscle physiology
  • Familiarity with Newton's second law (F=ma)
  • Knowledge of power calculations (Power = Force x Velocity)
  • Basic concepts of muscle contraction and biomechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of Hill's Law on strength training techniques
  • Explore the relationship between muscle power and contraction velocity
  • Study the biomechanics of lifting and its physiological limits
  • Investigate the role of muscle fiber types in lifting performance
USEFUL FOR

Students of exercise science, strength trainers, physiologists, and anyone interested in the mechanics of muscle performance and lifting techniques.

John3509
Messages
61
Reaction score
6

Homework Statement



https://imgur.com/a/OLPyMfK
1tlkqoe.png

hUkGgpx.png

1grk64y.png

CMN5pRc.png


Homework Equations


F=ma
W=F*d
W=T2 - T1

The Attempt at a Solution



For part A i figured it must be E because that is the only one that goes to 0 as the hit says.
but nothing about this problem makes any sense to me.

Where it says "You notice that the smaller the weight you attempt to lift, the quicker you can lift it." , I'm thinking, no, you can lift the higher wights just as fast you need need to apply a larger force.

"However, you also notice that there is a limit to how quickly you can lift even very small weights"
Sure, biologically there is a limit to your strength but theoretically should be able to lift infinitely quick by applying an infinitely large force, on a graph this should show the force going to infinity, each individuals biological limit would be then represented by some maximum point of the Force axis (x axis) which they could reach. And the max "quickness" which they could lift it is the y value corresponding with that point in the F axis. So i would expect the graph to be constantly going up, Larger force, can lift it more quickly.

And why is it representing the quickness which you can lift it as velocity on the y-axis not time?

"The detailed relationship between the contraction velocity of a muscle (the speed with which you can lift something) and the weight you are attempting to lift, is known as Hill’s law."

Especially this makes no sense to me, The velocity is not constant, how can you have a velocity out put for every force input when the force is causing an acceleration?

What is this question supposed to test, the impulse momentum theorem? This question is from a chapter before it is covered, F=ma? W=F*d ? I just can't interpret what is going on here
 

Attachments

  • 1tlkqoe.png
    1tlkqoe.png
    5.7 KB · Views: 1,402
  • hUkGgpx.png
    hUkGgpx.png
    9.9 KB · Views: 1,587
  • 1grk64y.png
    1grk64y.png
    11 KB · Views: 1,486
  • CMN5pRc.png
    CMN5pRc.png
    9 KB · Views: 1,516
Physics news on Phys.org
John3509 said:
you can lift the higher wights just as fast you need need to apply a larger force.
The scenario is that you are lifting all weights as fast as you can. If you can summon up a greater force to cope with the larger weights, why weren't you using this greater force with the smaller weights?
John3509 said:
biologically there is a limit to your strength
Strength is not the point here. It is a limitation on how fast a muscle can contract.
John3509 said:
why is it representing the quickness which you can lift it as velocity on the y-axis not time?
If all lifts are through the same distance, there is a simple connection between time and average velocity. But with the heavier weights you might not manage the full distance, so it's the velocity that matters, not the time.
Further, as noted, power is force times velocity, and there is a limit to the power the muscle can produce. For the most part, the graph illustrates this relationship, i.e. with the same power available, the velocity is inversely proportional to the force. The differences from that are most noticeable at the extremes. As the force required tends to zero (hmm.. that is ignoring the weight of the arm?), the velocity becomes limited by the maximum contraction rate of the muscle; at the other extreme, it becomes limited by the maximum force the muscle can exert.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: collinsmark

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
8K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
25K
Replies
18
Views
7K
Replies
39
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K