When designing an exercise from the nervous system’s point of view, there are at least 7 characteristics to consider. I am calling these characteristics 7 Principles of Neuromuscular Orchestration. They are as follows:
1) Mind-flow – The attitudes and behaviors that are projected and utilized while exercising.
2) Sensory differentiation – The nervous system’s ability to distinguish the details of the condition, position, and state of motion of the musculoskeletal system.
3) Sensory sensitization – Mechanoreceptors and nociceptors receptors found in muscles, joints, and connective tissues (that contribute to sensory differentiation) can be more or less sensitive depending on the health and condition of the respective tissues.
4) Mobility of the nervous system – From the brain stem to the peripheral nerves, these structures lengthen and shorten (without stretching) to accommodate the motion of the musculoskeletal system.
5) Motor control – The nervous system uses sensory information and historical references to recruit the muscular, metabolic, endocrine and cardiovascular resources necessary to complete a task.
6) Metabolic availability – muscle cells have multiple sources of fuel needed to make ATP (Glucose, CP, etc.). Each source is favored by specific conditions within the tissues. In addition, muscle cells have multiple ways of creating energy from glucose. Each way is favored by specific conditions in a muscle cell.
7) Force application. – The appropriate amount, direction, and duration of internal and external forces strategically selected based on the desired mind-flow, states of sensory differentiation and sensitization, mobility of the nervous system, capacity and availability of motor control, and desired metabolic activity.
If you have any questions regarding the origin or application of these principles, please email me: jacques@myotopia.com.
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