Lecture 4 - Neuromuscular control and proprioception

Question 1

What is neuromuscular control (ppt definition)

Answer 1

Unconscious activation of dynamic restraints occurring in preparation for and in response to joint motion and loading for the purpose of maintaining and restoring functional joint mobility

Question 2

What is feedback control?

Answer 2

Stimulation of a corrected response within a system after sensory detection

Question 3

What is feedback forward control?

Answer 3

Anticipatory actions occurring before the sensory detection of a homeostasis disruption

Question 4

What is the role of somatosensory, visual and vestibular input?

Answer 4

Provides the information required for both systems in motor activities

Question 5

What is the concept of stability?

Answer 5

State of a joint remaining or promptly returning to alignment through an equalization of forces (complementary relationship between static and dynamic components)

Question 6

What is the path of action for joint perturbations? (6 steps)

Answer 6

Mechanoreceptor stimulation -> Neural transmission -> Integration of the signals by CNS -> transmission of an efferent signal -> muscle activation -> force production

Question 7

What is proprioception?

Answer 7

Afferent information arising from internal peripheral areas of the body that contribute to postural control, joint stability and conscious sensations

Question 8

Name the 4 mechanoreceptors

Answer 8

1. Ruffini endings
2. Pacinian corpuscle
3. Golgi tendon organs
4. Muscle spindles

Question 9

Static and dynamic receptors
Low threshold, slow adapting chracteristics

Answer 9

Ruffini endings

Question 10

Dynamic receptors
Low threshold, quick adapting

Answer 10

Pacinian corpuscle

Question 11

Very low threshold, high dynamic sensitivity
Provide CNS with feedback concerning muscle tension

Answer 11

Golgi tendon organs

Question 12

Mainly sensitive to changes in muscle length, or rate of change in muscle length

Answer 12

Muscle spindles

Question 13

What is often affected by injury?

Answer 13

Neuromuscular control

Question 14

What are 4 parts of neuromuscular control?

Answer 14

• Coordinated muscular activity
• Dynamic joint stability
• Postural control
• Optimal movement patterns

Question 15

Central Axis corresponds with (3)

Answer 15

Spinal cord
Brainstem
Cerebral cortex

Question 16

What are the two associated areas for levels of motor control?

Answer 16

Cerebellum
Basal Ganglia

Question 17

What is the major circuit that controls postural equilibrium?

Answer 17

Brainstem

Question 18

What does the brainstem directly regulate and modulate?

Answer 18

Motor activity from visual, vestibular and somatosensory information

Question 19

Relay station of information from spinal cord to cerebral cortex

Answer 19

Brainstem

Question 20

Cerebral cortex is responsible for 3 things related to the muscle response

Answer 20

1. Choosing the muscles to be activated
2. Amount of force produced
3. Direction of movement

Question 21

Directing and initiating more complex and discrete voluntary movements

Answer 21

Cerebral cortex

Question 22

Cannot independently initiate motor activity
Essential for execution of coordinated motor control

Answer 22

Associated areas - cerebellum and basal ganglia

Question 23

Subconscious level -> planning and modification of motor activities through comparison of intended movement and outcome movement

Answer 23

Cerebellum

Question 24

Higher order, cognitive aspects of motor control

Answer 24

Basal ganglia

Question 25

What can impair proprioception? (3)

Answer 25

• Joint injury (ligament or capsule, meniscus)
• Muscle damage (strain or atrophy)
• Joint swelling

Question 26

For neuromuscular rehabilitation - work on getting back (4)

Answer 26

• Muscle firing
• Muscle firing at the right time
• Muscle firing with the right strength
• Muscle firing and contributes positively to what athlete needs (stability, power)