|
The brain has a matrix that responds to proprioceptive stimuli. This matrix
can be altered by experience. The matrix is able
to adjust to new data and generate learning, even after the stimuli has
stopped. It has the ability to record patterns of actions among muscles
and store this new information while consciously working the muscles through
new, unfamiliar patterns of movement. Then a new, learned pattern emerges,
initiating smooth movement without conscious engagement.
Conscious awareness of an action requires time and slows the response
time. Learning new patterns of movement by repetition and controlling
the movement by concentration is the most time-consuming component of
physical learning. The brain must consciously and continuously tell the
muscles how to move while developing the new patterns of movement. The
conscious movement is not instinctive, unconscious, efficient or smooth.
Once new neuromuscular patterns have been developed the body and brain
synchronize them to increase efficiency and quickness.
How does the 1vest™ facilitate this process? Pressure and stretch
receptors are found in the skin and joints and provide feedback to the
brain about where the body is in space. This is also called kinetic awareness.
Professional personal trainers know that hands-on training, holding down
the shoulders, guiding knees or elbows in the correct tracking position
(s) increases the speed and accuracy of the kinetic learning process.
The receptors in the skin and joints respond much more readily to external
stimuli than mere mental visualization and focus. If someone wanted to
learn how to wiggle their toe without moving the others, they might be
able to do so with a lot of mental focus or they might never be able to
learn in this way. However, if a trainer increases the proprioceptive
response by using their hands or a band to provide resistance in the forward
or backward movement, learning time can be cut in half.
Another proven example of the power of proprioception is ankle braces,
knee braces, and weight belts. These devices do not improve structural
integrity or provide actual support. What they do is alert the body that
it has reached the furthest point
it can go without injury. Since the 1vest™ enhances the receptors
in the skin and joints by applying added pressure in the form of resistance
and assistance to correct and facilitate movements the learning curve
is dramatically shortened. The 1vest™ functions in the same way
as a brace or weight belt. As the body senses and responds kinetically
to the pressure of these external apparatuses it controls its motion and
doesn’t overextend.
The other important advantage of the 1vest™ is to teach the body
a correct movement. Two types of muscles play a role in the effectiveness
of the 1vest™. Muscles are not kinetically selective with regard
to which possible movement is generated to complete a pre-determined motion.
When a muscle contracts it attempts to cause all of the movements to for
which it is designed to produce at that joint. If someone is asked to
shoot a free throw, in the beginning the body will fire all the possible
muscle actions in the arms, shoulders, back, and hips which may produce
the desired result. It can take up to a thousand attempts to learn to
fire the correct muscle combination at the correct force to learn and
perform this skill
effectively.
The two muscle groups are synergists and helping synergists. The prime
movers are synergists. The helping synergists acting on the joint prohibit
undesired movement. It takes neuromuscular training to activate the correct
true synergist and correct the helping synergist. The body will attempt
an action which limits the incorrect kinetic response. The 1vest™
limits the possibility of ineffective motion and immediately reinforces
correct movement by giving the body feedback through proprioceptors. It
pushes the brain to learn which muscles should be used, which is most
effective, rather than a random attempt at the desired movement.
The exteroceptors, or ruffine endings located near the body surfaces,
and Parinian corpuscles located deep around joint tendons and muscle sheaths,
are activated by pressure which distorts and compresses the capsules and
detects rapid changes in pressure. They also monitor the appropriateness
of the response in regard to degree, direction and rate of change in the
body’s movement. Since the 1vest™ enhances these receptors
by applying added pressure the receptors react more accurately.
The boundary of the skin is an external boundary of tangible perception
unless it is enhanced. The 1vest™ enhances that boundary in the
most important area, the core of the body. The core is composed of layers
of the abdominal wall, the large muscles of the back, the smaller muscles
that support the spine, hip flexors, and the scapular girdle. Core strength
is the catalyst of postural endurance, balance, and quickness. The ability
to change your center of gravity over a stable base by using core muscles
is the crucial element of agility and speed.
Habitually poor posture patterns can inhibit athletic performance and
cause injury. The superficial and deep proprioception receptors are the
key to the sending of kinetic messages for postural adjustments. Good
postural alignment places less demand on the smaller muscles (i.e., intervertebral)
that could result in injury. There is also a direct relationship between
alignment of body segments and the integrity of joints. Postural strain
often causes injury and can lead to arthritic changes in joints.
There is probably no more efficient and effective way to work the core
than with the 1vest™. When someone is working with the 1vest™
in forward, lateral and backward motions, the core is more engaged than
in any other activity. This is because the center of gravity is constantly
being stressed to remain in balance over the base of support. For example,
if a person is trying to balance a spinning plate on a stick the importance
of support under the center of gravity is central to this action. The
person will be constantly responding and moving to keep the stick under
the plate. The 1vest™ works in the same way, forcing the base of
support to continually adjust to maintain the balance and synergy of the
upper and lower body. The attachment cords connected to any of the 18
strategically-located, color-coded stainless steel rings on the 1vest™
activate proprioceptors all along the torso. In rotational movements the
1vest™ prohibits, because of pressure warnings, over-extension while
strengthening the muscles needed for myriad activities such as golf, baseball,
football, basketball, swimming, and field sports.
The maintenance of upright posture in humans is a function of reflex action.
As the center of gravity drifts toward any margin of the base of support
the body segment closest to the center of the base of support becomes
stretched. Action potentials are created in the stretched muscle spindles
and travel to the central nervous system. A part of the kinetic action
potential returns via other nerve pathways to the stretched muscles. The
stretched muscles contract and pull the body mass back into the center
of the support base. As stability is regained the body is prevented from
falling off-balance. The 1vest™ puts increased stress on his kinetic
system, thereby strengthening and enhancing it.
The 1vest™ combines the exteroceptive reflexes which are initiated
by stimuli from the internal environment of the muscles and joints to
create more informed movement. The brain-body connection is improved and
the body becomes kinetically “smarter” more quickly.
References
Lutgrens, S.T. and Wells, T.H., Kinesiology, Scientific
Basis of Human Motion. Detroit: Sanders College Publishing, 1982.
Tortora, G., Principles of Human Anatomy. New York: Harper
and Row, 1983.
Groves, R., and Camaione, A.R., Concepts in Kinesiology.
Detroit: Sanders College Publishing, 1975.
Parks, L., “Five-step Knee Injury Prevention Program.” n.
pag. Oklahoma Sports Science and Orthopedics, 2003. On-line. Internet.
8 November 2005. [link]
Nottingham, S., “Training for Proprioception and Function”.
n. pag. Fitness Management Magazine, 32. 2002. On-line. Internet. 8 November
2005. [link]
|
Proprioception and the 1vest™