Week 4 Proprioception

Proprioception

The ability to sense one's body position in space, primarily mediated by the cerebellum.

Kinesthesia

The sense of one's body movement in space, involving behavior, movement, and motion such as eye-hand coordination.

Visual System (regarding proprioception)

A system that provides visual cues from the environment to help sense position in space.

Vestibular System

A labyrinthine system in the inner ear that provides feedback regarding the head's position in space through semicircular canals and neural connections.

Proprioceptive System

A feedback/feedforward loop involving muscle spindles, Golgi tendon organs, joint receptors, and the cerebellum that provides constant information about the body's position in space.

Muscle Spindle (MS)

Proprioceptors located in skeletal muscle that provide information regarding muscle length, tension, and load.

Gamma Motor Neuron System

A type of lower motor neuron involved in sending proprioceptive information back to the muscle spindle.

Golgi Tendon Organs (GTOs)

Located in tendons, these organs detect tension in the tendon of a contracting muscle and send proprioceptive information to prevent muscle tears.

Reciprocal Inhibition

The process by which an alpha motor neuron of an antagonist muscle is inhibited to allow for facilitation of the agonist muscle.

Joint Receptors

Mechanoreceptors located in connective tissue of the joint capsule that respond to pressure, stretch, and vibration, sending information to the cerebellum.

Alpha Motor Neuron

A motor neuron that directly innervates skeletal muscle and facilitates contraction.

Muscle Spindle Activation Sequence

Muscle stretch leads to muscle spindle activation, sensory neuron firing, spinal cord synapse, motor neuron activation, resulting in muscle contraction.

Gamma Biasing

The process that increases the firing level of muscle spindles, making them more sensitive and primed for action.

Phasic Stretch

Quick or 'fast twitch' stretch, involving muscles designed for quick bursts of movement.

Tonic Stretch

Sustained or tonic stretch responsible for maintaining posture through sustained contraction.

Clasp Knife Phenomenon

A phenomenon characterized by an initial resistance followed by a sudden release during muscle contraction, often related to Golgi tendon organs.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Vestibular System Dysfunction

A condition that disrupts the balance and spatial orientation due to issues in the vestibular system.

Somatosensory System

The part of the nervous system that processes sensory information from the body.

Haptic Perception

The ability to perceive and recognize objects through touch and manipulation.

Proprioceptive Training

Exercises designed to enhance proprioception and improve body awareness and movement.

Balance Control

The ability to maintain the center of mass over the base of support, crucial for stability and coordination.

Spatial Awareness

The perception of the position and movement of one’s body in space.

Gait Analysis

The study of human walking to assess and improve movement efficiency and injury prevention.

Reaction Time

The time taken to respond to a stimulus, often measured in motor skills and athletic performance.

Body Schema

An internal representation of the body's shape and position, essential for movement planning.

Receptor Types

Various receptors in the body that detect changes in the environment and send signals to the nervous system.

Motor Unit

The functional unit of muscle contraction, consisting of a motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates.

Threshold Stimulus

The minimum stimulus needed to elicit a response from a neuron or muscle fiber.

Electromyography (EMG)

A diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them.

Force Generation

The process by which muscles produce tension and movement, influenced by motor neuron firing frequency.

Endurance Training

A form of exercise aimed at improving aerobic capacity and prolonging physical activity duration.

Coordination

The ability to execute smooth and accurate movements through the integration of sensory and motor functions.

Postural Control

The ability to maintain stability and orientation of the body in response to internal and external forces.

Neuromuscular Junction

The synapse or junction between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, where neurotransmitters facilitate contraction.

Proprioceptive Feedback

Information provided by proprioceptors about body position and movement, essential for coordination and balance.

What is proprioception?

The ability to sense one's body position in space, primarily mediated by the cerebellum.

What is kinesthesia?

The sense of one's body movement in space, involving behavior and motion.

What role does the visual system play in proprioception?

It provides visual cues from the environment to help sense position in space.

What is the vestibular system?

A labyrinthine system in the inner ear providing feedback on head position through neural connections.

What are muscle spindles?

Proprioceptors in skeletal muscle that provide information about muscle length and tension.

What are Golgi tendon organs?

Located in tendons, they detect tension in contracting muscles and prevent injury.

What is reciprocal inhibition?

The process where an alpha motor neuron of an antagonist muscle is inhibited to facilitate the agonist muscle.

What is gamma biasing?

A process that increases the firing level of muscle spindles, enhancing sensitivity.

What is the clasp knife phenomenon?

Resistance followed by a sudden release during muscle contraction, often related to Golgi tendon organs.

What is neuroplasticity?

The brain's ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections throughout life.