M Farrukh ShahzadBSPT, PPDPTFaculty of Rehabilitation SciencesLesson 7

Pattern of MovementTiming in MovementRhythm of MovementThe nervous control of movement

Pattern of MovementThe direction and site of movement is described as pattern. A wide variety of patters are possible.Most functional movement patterns require movement in several joints. i.e mass movementExamples; Bend, Twist, Push

Timing in movement Timing is the sequence of muscular contraction.This sequence takes place during the production of the movement.To be satisfactory the force of each contraction is timed.This timing is required so that each contraction should be at its maximum when a subsequent force is superimposed upon it.

Timing in movementIf this sequence is not followed than the peak of effort reached will be wasted.There would be a waste of effort if the timing is too slow or too fast.Faulty timing accounts for insufficiency of the movement for the purpose for which it was designed.In faulty timing movements some components of the muscle contraction are omitted and other added up or the sequence is too fast or two slow, e.g as in learning to swim or play golf.

Timing in movementTiming of functional movements usually proceeds from distal to proximal .Because the distal areas receives most of the stimuli which control movement i.e. hands and feet.The orderly sequence of the contractions constitutes the effective timing and ensures the maximum efficiency of the muscular contraction.This orderly sequence or timing is the basic characteristic of the co-ordinated movement.

Rhythm of the movementThe word rhythm means regular beat or recurrence of a sequence of events.Inspiratory muscles Heart muscle These muscles contracts rhythmically throughout life.There is alternating period of contraction and period of relaxation or inaction.

Rhythm of the movementSkeletal muscles:These muscles can also work for long periods of time without fatigue, provided their contraction alternates regularly with complete relaxation. this means consequent replenishment of the blood supply which would be bringing oxygen towards the area of work.This coming oxygen will help to repair the effects of contraction.This will also remove the metabolic waste products.

Rhythm of the movementThe rhythm of the work and rest reduces the fatigue to minimum e.g.1 a hiker walking with an even stride rhythmically contracts and relaxes the extensor muscles of the legs. E.g.2 any newcomer to the industry is trained in rhythmical sequence of movements he has to perform at work.Each movement has its own natural rhythm which can vary to some extent in individuals.

Rhythm of the movementThe natural rhythm can also vary with the ageThe rhythm of the children is relatively quick in comparison with the adults In an older population this rhythm of movement is slower

Loss of rhythmical movementWhen the movements are taken too slowly or too quickly this will results in Faulty timingLoss of efficiencyIncrease in muscle workDiminution of range of movement

Nervous control of the movementMotor unit is the functional unit of the neuromuscular system Motor unit initiates and achieves movements in response to the demands for activity.The units muscle fibres contract in response to impulses discharged from its cell A.H.C (anterior horn cell) when it is stimulated.

Nervous control of the movementAnterior horn cell:The anterior horn of the spinal cord is the ventral (front) grey matter section of the spinal cord. The anterior horn contains motor neurons that affect the axial muscles while the posterior horn receives information regarding touch and sensation. The anterior horn is where the cell bodies of alpha motor neurons are located.

Nervous control of the movementThe A.H.C.s are influenced by the impulses which reach them from so many sources in the CNS and other parts of the body. Some of these impulses are excitatory and the others are inhibitory .Impulse propagation is through the process of neurotransmission.

Nervous control of the movementOn the basis of inhibitory or excitatory impulses the predominance of one or other type at any one time which determines the effect they have on the A.H.C.s. The pattern of the movement is planned in the initiating areas which also discharge the impulse suitable to bring it to effect.

MovementsVoluntary MovementThis is the movement which is initiated in response to a conscious effort to perform the movement.Reflex movementReflex movement is initiated in response to a demand made by the sensory stimulation