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Related Concept Videos

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...
Muscle Coordination and Action01:24

Muscle Coordination and Action

Muscle coordination is a complex and finely tuned process essential for smooth and purposeful movements like flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and rotation. The human body orchestrates the actions of various muscles working in concert, each with a specific role. Four functional types describe how muscles work together: agonist, antagonist, synergist, and fixator.
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement.
Alterations in Muscle Tone ll01:12

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

Hierarchy of Motor Control

The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions01:22

Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions

Two primary types of muscle contractions are isotonic and isometric, each serving unique functions and involving distinct mechanisms. Both isotonic and isometric contractions are integral to the body's complex system of movement and stability. Isotonic exercises contribute significantly to functional strength and movement, while isometric contractions are crucial for maintaining posture and joint stability.
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions occur when a muscle changes length while the...

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Efficiently Recording the Eye-Hand Coordination to Incoordination Spectrum
07:30

Efficiently Recording the Eye-Hand Coordination to Incoordination Spectrum

Published on: March 21, 2019

Muscle coordination is habitual rather than optimal.

Aymar de Rugy1, Gerald E Loeb, Timothy J Carroll

  • 1Centre for Sensorimotor Neuroscience, School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. aymar@hms.uq.edu.au

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|May 25, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Human muscle activation patterns are surprisingly consistent, even when limb biomechanics change. This suggests the brain uses learned, "good-enough" motor programs rather than precise optimal control for movement.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomechanics
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Humans exhibit optimized muscle activation for efficient movement.
  • The neural mechanisms underlying this motor control strategy remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether habitual muscle activation patterns adapt to altered limb biomechanics.
  • To determine if the nervous system employs optimal control or learned motor programs.

Main Methods:

  • Developed real-time simulation of wrist muscle joint forces from electromyography.
  • Simulated muscle paralysis and noisy muscle output.
  • Tested responses to altered biomechanics and postural changes.

Main Results:

  • Muscle activation patterns remained robust despite simulated muscle paralysis or increased noise.
  • Habitual coordination persisted even with real muscle damage.
  • Recruitment patterns favored the actual posture over simulated biomechanical changes.

Conclusions:

  • Findings challenge optimal control theory predictions for motor programming.
  • Suggests the brain relies on learned, "good-enough" motor command programs.
  • Lower sensorimotor circuitry may generate adaptable, habitual muscle coordination.