MUSCULAR WORK & NERVOUS
CONTROL OF MOVEMENTS
Introduction
• Muscular work is the mechanical effort produced by skeletal muscles to
perform bodily movements or maintain postures.
• It is a vital component of human biomechanics and functional performance.
• The nervous system orchestrates these actions by transmitting motor
commands and integrating sensory feedback for coordinated, efficient
movements.
Key Concepts
• Muscular work is energy-dependent and can be voluntary or involuntary.
• The neuromuscular system involves interactions between motor neurons
and muscle fibers.
• Effective movement requires the synchronized function of the central and
peripheral nervous systems, along with muscle properties like
excitability, contractility, extensibility, and elasticity.
Types of Muscular Work
• Muscular work can be broadly categorized based on muscle behavior
and movement output.
Types of Muscular Work
• A. Static (Isometric) Work
• Definition: Work performed without visible joint movement or change in muscle
length.
• Characteristics:
• Maintains posture or load holding.
• Increased intramuscular pressure leads to vascular compression, which may cause early
fatigue.
• Examples: Wall sit, plank hold, pushing against a fixed surface.
Types of Muscular Work
• B. Dynamic Work
• Definition: Work involving joint motion and change in muscle length.
• Types:
• Concentric: Muscle shortens while contracting (e.g., lifting a weight).
• Eccentric: Muscle lengthens under tension (e.g., lowering a weight).
• Physiological Benefits:
• Enhances venous return, reduces muscle ischemia, and is more sustainable
than static work.
• Example: Walking, stair climbing, sports movements.
Types of Muscular Work
Types of Muscular Work
• C. Isokinetic Work
• Definition: Muscle contracts at a constant velocity against accommodating
resistance.
• Requires: Isokinetic dynamometers (e.g., Biodex, Cybex).
• Clinical Relevance:
• Objective measurement of muscle performance.
• Rehabilitation tool for ACL, rotator cuff injuries, and muscle imbalance assessments.
Types of Muscular Work
Types of Muscle Contraction
• A. Isometric Contraction
• Tension develops, but muscle length remains unchanged.
• No visible movement, joint angle remains constant.
• Common in postural muscles (e.g., spinal extensors, deep neck flexors).
• Clinical Utility:
• Useful in early rehab when joint movement is contraindicated.
Types of Muscle Contraction
• B. Isotonic Contraction
• Muscle length changes during contraction with constant tension.
• Concentric: Muscle shortens; force > resistance.
• Eccentric: Muscle lengthens; resistance > force.
• Eccentric contractions are associated with greater force and higher
DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).
Types of Muscle Contraction
• C. Isokinetic Contraction
• Contraction at a fixed speed across ROM.
• Resistance adapts to effort, providing maximal load throughout.
• Advantages:
• Minimizes joint stress.
• Improves muscle coordination and force control.
Muscular Fatigue
• Muscular fatigue refers to a reversible decline in muscle
performance or power output, often due to sustained activity.
Muscular Fatigue
• A. Classification of Fatigue
• Central Fatigue:
• Originates in the central nervous system.
• Due to decreased motor drive from the cortex.
• Seen in chronic fatigue syndrome, MS, stroke.
Muscular Fatigue
• A. Classification of Fatigue
• Peripheral Fatigue:
• Originates at the neuromuscular junction or within the muscle
fiber.
• Involves depletion of ATP, accumulation of H⁺, Pi, and lactic acid.
• Causes impaired calcium release and excitation-contraction coupling.
Muscular Fatigue
• A. Classification of Fatigue
• Physiological Basis
• Energy Depletion:
• ATP and glycogen used up.
• Metabolite Accumulation:
• Lactic acid.
• Hydrogen ions (lower pH).
Muscular Fatigue
Type Features Example
CNS origin, decreased
Central Fatigue Chronic fatigue syndrome
voluntary activation.
Muscle fiber and NMJ
Peripheral Fatigue Prolonged running
failure.
Psychological Fatigue Motivation decline. Burnout in athletes
Factors Influencing Fatigue
• Muscle fiber type:
• Type I (slow-twitch) fatigue-resistant.
• Type II (fast-twitch) fatigue-prone.
• Intensity and duration:
• Higher intensity = quicker fatigue.
Factors Influencing Fatigue
• Training status:
• Athletes show delayed fatigue.
• Temperature and hydration:
• Heat increases fatigue risk.
Management and Recovery
•Active recovery improves lactic acid removal.
•Cool-down exercises.
•Adequate rest and sleep.
•Balanced nutrition.
Measurement of Muscular Strength
• Strength measurement is vital for:
• Assessing function.
• Prescribing exercises.
• Tracking rehabilitation progress.
Measurement of Muscular Strength
• ✳️A) Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)
• Scale: 0–5.
• Procedure: Apply manual resistance.
• Advantages: Simple, inexpensive.
• Limitations: Subjective, less sensitive for high strength.
Measurement of Muscular Strength
Grade Description
0 No contraction
1 Flicker only
2 Full ROM gravity eliminated
3 Full ROM against gravity
4 Some resistance
5 Full resistance (normal)
Measurement of Muscular Strength
• B) Hand-Held Dynamometry
• Device: Digital dynamometer.
• Measures: Force output in Newtons or kg.
• Advantages: Objective and portable.
• Uses: Comparing limbs, tracking changes.
Measurement of Muscular Strength
Measurement of Muscular Strength
• C) Isokinetic Dynamometry
• Gold standard for strength testing.
• Provides: Peak torque, work, power.
• Applications: Sports, orthopedics, neurology.
Measurement of Muscular Strength
Measurement of Muscular Strength
• D) 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM)
• Definition: Max load lifted once through full ROM.
• Used in: Resistance training prescription.
Nervous Control of Movement
• Movement is a result of:
• Motor Planning: Cerebral cortex.
• Motor Execution: Spinal motor neurons.
• Feedback: Sensory systems.
Nervous Control of Movement
• A) Motor Unit
• Motor neuron + innervated fibers.
• Size varies:
• Small motor units for fine control (eye muscles).
• Large motor units for power (quadriceps).
Nervous Control of Movement
• B) Motor Control Hierarchy
• Cerebral Cortex:
• Initiation and planning.
• Precentral gyrus (primary motor cortex).
• Basal Ganglia:
• Initiation and inhibition of movements.
• Cerebellum:
• Coordination and timing.
Nervous Control of Movement
• C) Reflex Mechanisms
• Stretch Reflex:
• Maintains muscle tone.
• Example: Knee jerk.
• Withdrawal Reflex:
• Protects from harm.
Nervous Control of Movement
• D) Proprioceptive Inputs
• Sensors:
• Muscle Spindles: Detect stretch.
• Golgi Tendon Organs: Detect tension.
• Joint Receptors: Sense position.
• Cutaneous Receptors: Sense touch and pressure.
Clinical Applications
Application Example
Muscle strengthening Isotonic and isometric exercises
Fatigue management Interval training
Neurorehabilitation Motor relearning in stroke
Functional training Eccentric training for tendinopathy
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