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Related Experiment Videos

The final common pathway in postural control--developmental perspective

D Kernell1

  • 1Department of Medical Physiology, University of Groningen, Netherlands. d.kernell@med.rug.nl

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|May 22, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Mammalian skeletal muscles utilize slow-twitch motor units for posture due to their fatigue resistance and energy efficiency. Muscle use influences these units within adaptive ranges, with development coordinated for readiness.

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Area of Science:

  • Muscle Physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Skeletal muscles comprise diverse fiber types, with slow-twitch (S) units optimal for postural tasks.
  • S units exhibit high fatigue resistance, oxidative metabolism capacity, and energy efficiency in isometric contractions.
  • Motoneurones play a crucial role in modulating muscle fiber characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review postural specializations in mammalian muscle fibers and motor units.
  • To explore the adaptive capacity of S units in adult mammals.
  • To examine the developmental interplay between innervation and muscle fiber differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on muscle fiber types and motor unit properties.
  • Analysis of the functional characteristics of slow-twitch motor units.

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  • Discussion of developmental processes influencing neuromuscular specialization.

    • Main Results:

    • Slow-twitch motor units are inherently suited for postural functions.
    • Muscle usage influences the proportion of S units within species-specific adaptive ranges.
    • Early muscle fiber differentiation can occur independently of innervation, but motoneurones significantly influence later development.

    Conclusions:

    • The neuromuscular system exhibits coordinated developmental timing, preparing it for function.
    • Postural specialization involves a complex interaction between intrinsic muscle properties and neural input.
    • Adaptive plasticity of muscle fibers occurs within defined developmental and functional constraints.