Micro-Muscles

6 February 2011

Muscles are divided up into groups and labelled by physiologists. There are biceps and triceps in the arms, abdominal, intercostals, sacrals etc etc. Each muscle group is made up of millions of muscle cells working in coordination with each other according to signals supplied by a network of neurons. Any given muscle group does not carry out just one predefined task and multiple muscle groups are required to carry out any single action.

The concept of micro-muscles is used here to further divide the muscle groups into subgroups, not in order to create an even more complex naming system, but the following:

  • to illustrate that groups of muscles do not operate homogenously across their entire extent ie: muscle cells in different locations will operate differently according to their position and the nerve messages they are receiving.
  • to emphasises the importance of the role that these muscle subgroups play in the development of refined action when acquiring physiological acuity.

A person with high skills will have highly refined muscle development in the areas that are important to that skill.



Last edited 21-Sep-2006 10:05 AM    Created 28-Jun-2006 10:54 AM



Muscle Development

6 February 2011

Muscles do not exist as a matter of right. Like the brain, they develop according to use.

In an infant, muscles are a relatively amorphous bunch of cells and aren't much use. Newborns can't hold their head up, let alone sit or stand. Only with age and use do muscles develop the structure required for particular activities.

Muscular development does not happen according to some preconceived genetic plan. Not only do muscles develop according to use but they develop differently from one cell to the next as if each muscle cell is a separate muscle.

 

 

 



Last edited 21-Sep-2006 10:14 AM    Created 28-Jun-2006 11:14 AM



Refined Development

6 February 2011

Humans have a large brain partially because we have a large number of motor neurons, those which connect between the brain and the muscles. Having this feature enables humans to carry out fine tasks. Multiple nerve endings connected at multiple points along each muscle group enable heterogenous development of those muscle groups. Continued use such as in regular piano practice produces a muscle/brain configuration that enables a complex task to be performed.

Muscles, as labeled by phsyiologists, do not develop singularly as a group. eg: development of biceps could mean any number of things: ability to lift heavy weights, ability to pull back a bow and arrow, ability to dance etc etc. All these activities require a different development of the biceps. The differences will be in the sub group muscle development (micro-muscles).

The number and distribution of neurons in the muscle determines the extent to which micro muscles can play a part and therefore the level of fine movement that is possible in use in that part of the body. As with all things human if they are used they are used, if not they atrophy or don't develop in the first place.

 



Last edited 21-Sep-2006 10:27 AM    Created 28-Jun-2006 11:26 AM



Summary

6 February 2011

The concept of micro-muscles is useful in helping to understand what is happening inside muscle groups in connection with the development of any kind of functionality, whether it involves fine movement or just regular day to day activity.  They are referred to regularly in the text.



Last edited 30-Nov-1999 12:00 AM    Created 21-Sep-2006 10:26 AM


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