INTERACTION OF

MECHANICAL AND
PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS
IN FUNCTION
Alan P. Magpantay, PTRP, DMS, CMT, MRS(cand)

OBJECTIVES
Describe the types of muscle contraction
Differentiate antagonist, agonist, fixator,
neutralizer and synergist
Factors affecting functional strength of a muscle
Explain the length-tension relationship
Differentiate active and passive insufficiency

MUSCLE

Types of Muscle Tissues

Skeletal/voluntary

striated
Smooth/Involuntary non-striated
Cardiac striated but involuntary

PARTS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE

Origin
Insertion
Belly
Tendons
Aponeurosis on some muscles
Raphe on some muscles

TYPES OF MUSCLES ACCDG. TO

SHAPE
Strap/Longitudinal
Rhomboid

Quadrilateral

Fusiform/Spindle
Triangular

Unipennate

e.g. EDL
Bipennate e.g. Rectus femoris
Multipennate e.g. deltoid

TYPES OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION

Concentric

Isotonic

Eccentric
Isometric

Isometric

Isokinetic

Muscle
Setting

TYPES OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION

Type of

Function

Mechanical Work

Concentric

Acceleration

Positive (W=F{+D})

Isometric

Fixation

Zero (no change in

length)

Eccentric

Deceleration

Negative (W=F{-D})

Contraction

TYPES OF MM ACCDG. TO WORK

Prime mover/Agonist chief muscle or member of a
chief group of muscles responsible for a particular
movement
Antagonist any muscle that opposes the action of the
prime mover
Fixator/Stabilizer/Supporting muscle Muscles that
contract statically to steady or to support some part of the
body against the pull of contracting muscles, pull of
gravity, or any other force that interferes with the desired
movements
Neutralizer a muscle that acts to prevent an undesired
action of one of the movers
Synergist prevents unwanted movements in an
intermediate joints

TYPES OF MUSCLES ACCDG. TO THE

DISTANCE OF ATTACHMENT FROM THE JNT

Spurt have a proximal point of attachment that is far

from the joint axis and a distal attachment that is
close to the joint axis
Shunt have a proximal attachment close to a joint
axis and a distal attachment far away from the joint
axis

TYPES OF MM ACCDG. TO FIBER

TYPE AND FUNCTION

Tonic

High

proportion of
slow-oxidative fibers
Deep and cross one
joint
For stability

High

Phasic

proportion of
fast-glycolytic fibers
Superficial and cross
more than one joint
For mobility

FORCE COUPLE

Two equal and opposite forces acting from

different directions so as to turn an object about a
fixed point

FORCE-VELOCITY CURVE

S-shaped
Established based on an isokinetic test
As the rate of shortening of a muscle increases the
force generated decreases. OR, the strength of a
muscle decreases with increased speeds of concentric
contraction
Up to a certain limit, a greater force is generated in
rapidly lengthening muscles. OR, as the speed of
eccentric contraction increases the more force a muscle
generates. HOWEVER, the increase in force will
plateau beyond a certain velocity.

MUSCLE INSUFFICIENCY

Active insufficiency occurs when two-joint

muscle contracts across two joint at the same
time
Tension

development can be severely compromised

because the muscle is at the extreme left side of its
length-tension curve

Passive insufficiency
Occurs

when a two-joint muscle is stretched across

two joints at the same time
Tension development can be severely compromised
because the muscle is at the extreme right side of its
length-tension curve

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE

TENSION GENERATION IN
SKELETAL MUSCLE
Factor

Influence

Cross-section and size of the

muscle (includes muscle fiber
number and size)

The larger the muscle diameter, the

greater its tension-producing capacity

Fiber arrangement and fiber

length (also relates to crosssectional diameter of the
muscle)

Short-fibers with pennate and

multipennate design in high force
producing muscles (ex. Quads, gastrocs,
deltoid, biceps)
Long parallel design in muscles with high
rate of shortening but less force production
(ex. Sartorius, lumbricals)

Fiber-type distribution of
muscle

High percentage of type I fibers: low force

production, slow rate of maximum force
development, resistant to fatigue
High percentage of type IIA and IIB fibers:

Factor

Influence

Length-tension relationship
of muscle at time of
contraction

Muscle produces greatest tension when it

is near or at the physiological resting
position at the time of contraction

Recruitment of motor units

The greater the number and

synchronization of motor units firing, the
greater the force production
The higher the frequency of firing, the
greater the tension

Frequency of firing of motor

units
Type of muscle contraction

Speed of muscle contraction

(force-velocity relationship)

Force output from greatest to least:

eccentric, isometric, concentric muscle
contraction
Concentric contraction: speed tension
Eccentric contraction: speed tension

MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY
Alan P. Magpantay, PTRP, DMS, CMT, MRS(c)

PROPERTIES OF MUSCLE TISSUE

Electrical excitability
Contractility
Extensibility
Elasticity

MUSCLE, MUSCLE FIBER AND

MYOFILAMENTS
Epimysium

extension of the deep fascia

surrounding the whole muscle
Fascicle bundles of muscle fibers or muscle
cells
Fasciculi group of fascicles
Perimysium covers each fascicle
Endomysium covers each muscle fiber or cell
Myofibrils components of each muscle fiber or
cell
Myofilaments components of each myofibril

ORGANIZATION AND
COVERINGS OF SKELETAL
MUSCLE

HISTOLOGY
Sarcolemma

cell membrane of the

muscle fiber
Sarcoplasm its cytoplasm
Sarcoplasmic reticulum composed of the
tubular network and the terminal cisterns
T-tubule transverse tubules; between 2
adjoining terminal cisternae
Sarcoplasmic triad 2 terminal cisternae
and 1 T-tubule

SARCOMERE
Functional unit of the muscle
Zline stands for zwischen (between)

A narrow membrane found in the middle of the I-band and

demarcates one sarcomere from another

I-band/ Isotropic the alternate light bands seen in

the myofibril made-up entirely of actin filaments
A-band/ Anisotropic dark band in the middle of the
sarcomere; made-up of both myosin and actin
filaments
H-zone (Hensen) a lighter area found in the middle
of the A-band; entirely myosin filaments
M-line Mittelinie (midline) bisects the H-zone

TYPES OF MYOFILAMENTS
Thin

or Actin filament made up of 3 proteins:

actin, tropomyosin and troponin
Actin

globular, arranged in a chain with the 2

strands of actin wound around each other
Each 7 pairs of actin a strand of tropomyosin and
3 troponin
Troponin T responsible for the formation of the
troponin-tropomyosin complex
Troponin C binds with calcium
Troponin I allow the unbinding of the troponintropomyosin complex once Ca attaches to Troponin
C

Myosin filament made up of 2 proteins: heavy

and light meromyosin
Has

the head region and the tail region

NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION

ENERGY SYSTEMS

Phosphagen System
ATP

= 3 secs
Creatine phosphate

Glycolytic Lactic Acid System

Anaerobic

2 pyruvic acid + energy

Aerobic

Oxygen available
No oxygen available Lactic acid

Oxidative System

Energy
4 moles of
ATP/min

Duration
8-10 secs

Replenished
3-5 mins

GlycolyticLactic

2.5 moles of
ATP/min

1.3 1.6 mins

48 hours

Oxidative

1 moles of
ATP/min

indefinite

depends

Phosphagen

STEPS OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION

(SLIDING FILAMENT THEORY)

STEPS IN MUSCLE CONTRACTION

Arrival of nerve impulse at the presynaptic terminal opens
the calcium gated channels of its cell membrane
Calcium enters into the presynaptic terminal and binds with
release sites on the interior of the cell membrane, this causes
synaptic vesicles fuse with the presynaptic membrane and open to
the exterior releasing its contents, the neurotransmitter,
acetylcholine (exocytosis)
Acetylcholine binds with receptor sites or binding sites at the
external surface of the postsynaptic membrane (which is actually
the sarcolemma)
When a sufficient number of acetylcholine-receptor site complexes
are formed the sodium gated channels are opened
Influx of sodium depolarizes the sarcolemma
The impulse reach the terminal cisterns of the sarcoplasmic
reticulum through the T-tubules

Calcium is released from the terminal cisterns and will

find its way to the myofibrils where
Calcium binds with Troponin C of the actin filament
The inhibitory effect of Troponin I is released and the troponintropomyosin complex breaks up. Shifting of the tropomyosin
strand opens more binding surfaces in the actin protein.
Cross-bridging occurs between actin and myosin resulting in
muscle contraction. The more crossbridges formed the greater
the strength of the contraction.
ATP attaches to its corresponding binding site in the
myosin protein causing a change in the angle of the myosin
head so that it detaches from the actin. This allows a period of
relaxation.
Complete relaxation or termination of contraction occurs when
the neural stimulus is stopped and calcium returns to
the sarcoplasmic reticulum and subsequently stored.

NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
Alan P. Magpantay, PTRP, DMS, CMT, MRS(c)

ORGANIZATION OF CELLS AND

FIBERS

Ganglia
Nucleus
Gray matter
White matter
Tracts or Fascicles bundle of processes of neurons
having the same function located within the cerebrum
Columns or Funiculi located outside of the cerebrum

NEUROGLIA/ GLIAL CELLS

Oligodendrocytes
Astrocytes

movement of nutrients; structural

support; phagocytes; insulators
Microglia - macrophages
Ependymal assist in circulation of CSF

AXON DIAMETER

A fibers myelinated; largest diameter

(5-20m
Conduction

speed 12-130 m/sec

Touch, pressure, position of joints and some
thermal sensation; motor neurons

B fibers diameter of 2-3m; myelinated

15

m/sec
Sensory of viscera; autonomic motor

C fibers smallest diameter (0.5-1.5 m);

unmyelinated
Some

sensory for pain, touch, pressure, heat

and cold; some pain from viscera

DEEP SENSORY RECEPTORS

Muscle spindle
Intrafusal

fibers
Lie parallel with the extrafusal fibers
Monitor changes in the muscle length and velocity on
muscle length change
For position and movement sense; also in motor learning

Golgi tendon organ

Lie

in series with the distal and proximal tendinous

insertion of the muscle
Monitors tension in the muscle
Protective: prevents structural damage to the muscle
in situations of extreme tension thru inhibition of
muscle and facilitation of antagonist

Free nerve endings

Within

the fascia of the muscle

Respond to pain and pressure

Pacinian Corpuscle
Within

the fascia of the muscle

Respond to vibratory stimuli and deep pressure

JOINT RECEPTORS

Golgi-type endings:
Located

in the ligaments
Function to detect rate of joint movement

Free nerve endings

Found

in joint capsule and ligaments

For pain and crude awareness of joint motion

Ruffini endings
Located

in joint capsule and ligaments

For direction and velocity of joint movement

Pacinian endings
Found

in the joint capsule

Monitors rapid joint movement

MUSCLE
SPINDLE

MUSCLE SPINDLE LENGTH AND

RATE OF CHANGE IN LENGTH

Intrafusal fibers
connected to
tendon
Parallel

with
extrafusal fibers
Types:

Nuclear bag
longest and largest
Nuclear chain
shorter and thinner
with nuclei

INNERVATION
OF MM SPINDLE
Types of Efferent
Endings:
Plates

nuclear

Trails

nuclear

bag

chain

Innervated

by
gamma or beta
motorneurons

Types of Afferent
Endings:
Primary

(Group IA
fiber) central region of
both bag and chain

Monosynaptic with
alpha motorneurons
(homonymous and
heteronymous mm)

Secondary

(Group II
fibers) nuclear chain

Monosynaptic with
alpha (homonymous)

Alpha
motoneurons
innervates
extrafusal fibers
Renshaw cells

Excited by
collaterals of
alpha
motoneurons
inhibit alpha
motoneurons

GOLGI TENDON ORGAN

In series with the tendons at the insertion
Ib afferent fibers polysynaptically inhibit alpha
motoneurons of agonist muscle and facilitate
antagonist muscle
Provides info on muscle force

PYRAMIDAL AND EXTRAPYRAMIDAL

TRACT

Pyramidal tract
Refers

to corticospinal tracts
Corticospinal fibers become concentrated on the
anterior part of the medulla oblongata (pyramids)

Extrapyramidal tract
Refers

to all the descending tracts other than the

corticospinal tracts

CORTICOSPINA
L/
CORTICOBULBA
R TRACT

MOTOR CONTROL

MOTOR CONTROL
The study of the nature and cause of movement
(Cook & Woollacott, 1995)
The control of both movement and posture

I. STUDY OF ACTION

Researchers often study movement control within

the context of a specific activity, like walking,
hoping that understanding control processes
related to this activity will provide insight into
principles for how all of movement is controlled

II. STUDY OF PERCEPTION

Perception is essential to action, just as action is
essential to perception.
Actions are performed within the context of an
environment.
Sensory-perceptual systems provide information
about the body and the environment, and are
clearly integral to the ability to act effectively
within an environment.

III. STUDY OF COGNITION

Cognitive processes include attention,

motivation, and emotional aspects of motor
control that underlie the establishment of intent
or goals.

INTERACTION OF INDIVIDUAL,
TASK, AND ENVIRONMENT
Individual includes cognition, perception and
action
Environment regulatory or non-regulatory
Task mobility, stability and manipulation

THEORIES RELATED TO SKILLED

LEARNING
A.

Adams Closed-Loop theory

Sensory

feedback is used for the ongoing production

of skilled movement
This theory hypothesizes that, in motor learning,
sensory feedback from the ongoing movement is
compared within the nervous system with the stored
memory of the tended movement (verbal-motor and
motor stages)

B. FITTS AND POSNER: STAGES OF

MOTOR LEARNING
a.

Cognitive stage

the learner is concerned with understanding the nature of the task,

developing strategies that could be used to carry out the task, and
determining how the task should be evaluated.
Experiments with a variety of strategies, abandoning those that dont work
while keeping those that do.

b.

Associative stage

Selected the best strategy for the task and now begins to refine the skill
May last from days to weeks or months, depending on the performer and the
intensity of practice; equivalent to motor stage of Adams

c.

Autonomous stage

Begin to devote his or her attention to other aspects of the skill in general,
like scanning the environment for obstacles that might impede performance,
or one may choose to focus on a secondary task (like talking to a friend while
performing the task), or save ones energy, so that one does not become
fatigued.

C. GENTILES TAXONOMY OF
MOVEMENT TASKS (ANN GENTILE)

Getting the idea of the movement

understand

goal of task
develop movement strategies appropriate to achieve

Fixation-Diversification
adapting

movement to changing task and environment

demands
performing tasks efficiently

Different tasks have inherently different requirements

with respect to the environment and thus make different
demands on sensory, motor, and cognitive processes
Clinical Implications: establish the most appropriate
movement patterns to achieve a goal, and set up different
conditions for practice

D. SYSTEMS THEORY (NICOLAI

BERNSTEIN)
During the course of any movement, the amounts of force
acting on the body will change as potential and kinetic
energy change. The central command could result in quite
different movements because of the interplay between
external forces and variations in the initial conditions.
Control of integrated movement was probably distributed
throughout many interacting systems working
cooperatively to achieve movement (distributed model of
motor control)
We can think of our movement repertoire like sentences
made up of many words. The letters within the words are
the muscles; the words themselves are the synergies, the
sentences are the actions themselves.

STAGES OF SYSTEMS THEORY

Novice learner simplifies movement by freezing
degrees of freedom
b. Advanced performer begins releasing some
degrees of freedom
c. Expert performer released all degrees of freedom;
learner takes advantage of the mechanics of the
musculoskeletal system and the environment
.Clinical Implication: explains the stiffness that
occurs in the joints at the beginning of skill
acquisition, and suggests importance of providing
external support during early stages of learning
a.

Thank you
for listening!