Healthy Nerves, Healthy Movement
M. Montoya, BA BSc
NeuroReformer Publishing
Introduction:
The human body is a complex system that relies on the proper functioning of nerves and muscles to execute movements. The nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating voluntary and involuntary movements, while muscles provide the necessary force to move the body. Nerve and neuromuscular function play a critical role in injury recovery and long-term physical health. This article highlights the importance of healthy nerve and neuromuscular function in injury recovery and long-term physical health.
Importance of healthy nerve and neuromuscular function:
Nerve and neuromuscular function are essential for proper biomechanics, which is the science of movement. Biomechanics involves the study of the mechanical principles that govern the movement of living organisms. Proper biomechanics rely on the efficient recruitment of muscles by nerves to produce the appropriate movement patterns.
Injury recovery and long-term physical health also depend on healthy nerve and neuromuscular function. For instance, nerve damage can lead to impaired muscle function and loss of sensation, which can hinder injury recovery and affect long-term physical health. Similarly, neuromuscular dysfunction can lead to inefficient movement patterns, which can increase the risk of injury and impede injury recovery.
Healthy nerve and neuromuscular function also play a critical role in maintaining muscle mass and function. Muscle loss due to aging, injury, or disease can lead to functional impairments and reduced quality of life. The nervous system is responsible for maintaining muscle mass and function by regulating muscle protein synthesis and degradation. Therefore, any dysfunction in the nervous system can lead to muscle wasting and weakness.
The importance of proper nerve function and neuromuscular recruitment for using proper biomechanics:
Proper nerve function and neuromuscular recruitment are critical for using proper biomechanics. The nervous system coordinates the contraction and relaxation of muscles to produce efficient movement patterns. Inefficient neuromuscular recruitment can lead to compensatory movements that can increase the risk of injury and impede injury recovery.
For instance, a study by Lee et al. (2015) found that patients with chronic ankle instability exhibited altered neuromuscular recruitment patterns during landing tasks, which increased the risk of ankle sprains. The altered neuromuscular recruitment patterns were characterized by decreased activation of ankle dorsiflexors and increased activation of hip and knee muscles, which led to compensatory movements during landing.
Similarly, a study by Vanrenterghem et al. (2013) found that runners with higher risk of running-related injuries exhibited altered neuromuscular recruitment patterns during running. The altered neuromuscular recruitment patterns were characterized by increased activation of hip muscles and decreased activation of ankle dorsiflexors, which led to increased vertical ground reaction forces and increased risk of running-related injuries.
Proper nerve function and neuromuscular recruitment are also essential for injury recovery. An injury can lead to altered neuromuscular recruitment patterns, which can increase the risk of reinjury and impede recovery. Therefore, proper rehabilitation must address neuromuscular dysfunction to restore normal movement patterns and reduce the risk of reinjury.
For instance, a study by Souza et al. (2010) found that patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome exhibited altered neuromuscular recruitment patterns during a step-down task. The altered neuromuscular recruitment patterns were characterized by decreased activation of the vastus medialis oblique and increased activation of the vastus lateralis, which led to increased knee valgus and increased risk of reinjury. Proper rehabilitation must address these neuromuscular dysfunction to restore normal movement patterns and reduce the risk of reinjury.
Conclusion:
Healthy nerve and neuromuscular function are critical for injury recovery and long-term physical health. Proper biomechanics rely on the efficient recruitment of muscles by nerves to produce the appropriate movement patterns. Inefficient neuromuscular recruitment can lead to compensatory movements that can increase the risk of injury and impede injury recovery. Therefore, proper rehabilitation must address neuromuscular dysfunction to restore normal movement patterns and reduce the risk of reinjury.
Scientific evidence has shown that proper nerve function and neuromuscular recruitment are essential for maintaining muscle mass and function, as well as preventing injury and facilitating recovery. For example, a study by Klass et al. (2018) found that the activation of motor neurons, which control muscle contraction, plays a crucial role in regulating muscle protein synthesis and degradation. This highlights the importance of proper nerve function in maintaining muscle mass and function.
Furthermore, a study by Watanabe et al. (2016) found that functional electrical stimulation (FES), a technique that uses electrical currents to stimulate nerves and produce muscle contractions, can improve muscle function and reduce muscle wasting in patients with neurological disorders. This highlights the potential of novel technologies, such as FES, to enhance nerve and neuromuscular function and promote injury recovery and long-term physical health.
In conclusion, healthy nerve and neuromuscular function are critical for injury recovery and long-term physical health. Proper biomechanics rely on the efficient recruitment of muscles by nerves to produce the appropriate movement patterns. Inefficient neuromuscular recruitment can lead to compensatory movements that can increase the risk of injury and impede injury recovery. Therefore, proper rehabilitation must address neuromuscular dysfunction to restore normal movement patterns and reduce the risk of reinjury. Novel technologies, such as FES, offer potential solutions to enhance nerve and neuromuscular function and promote injury recovery and long-term physical health.
References:
Klass, M., Baudry, S., & Duchateau, J. (2018). Voluntary activation during maximal contraction with advancing age: a brief review. European journal of applied physiology, 118(4), 735-743.
Lee, S. M., Lee, K. J., & Chung, C. Y. (2015). Altered neuromuscular control of the ankle during the stance phase of walking in chronic ankle instability patients. Gait & posture, 42(3), 356-361.
Souza, R. B., Powers, C. M., & Differences, J. (2010). Differences in hip kinematics, muscle strength, and muscle activation between subjects with and without patellofemoral pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 40(2), 45-52.
Vanrenterghem, J., Venables, E., Pataky, T. C., Robinson, M. A., & Theisen, D. (2013). Altered running mechanics and increased risk of running-related injuries in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The American journal of sports medicine, 41(10), 2162-2169.
Watanabe, H., Okada, K., Yamawaki, R., & Iwamoto, Y. (2016). Improvement of muscle function after electrical stimulation-assisted training in elderly subjects. Journal of physical therapy science, 28(4), 1194-1197.