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The human muscular system is integral to maintaining spinal integrity and, by extension, supporting the health and wellness of an individual, regardless of age. Muscles in the human body essentially control all movement, though they are controlled themselves by the nervous system, and the spine is critical to a wide range of bodily movements. The following, brief inquiry explores the functions of the muscular system as they relate to the maintenance and jeopardization of spinal integrity.
Brief Overview of the Human Muscular System
Essentially the contractile tissues affecting the movement of and within the body, muscles are classified according to their specific function and structure ("Muscle"). In most animals including human beings, muscles can be striated, smooth, or cardiac. Striated muscles, or skeletal muscles, appear to be striped when viewed under a microscope, with most beings having control over these types of muscles. Smooth muscles, conversely, are not generally controlled voluntarily, as they are regulated by the autonomic nervous system ("Muscle"); these muscles are not striated and line blood vessels, digestive and genital tracts, and hair follicles. The speed of contraction in smooth muscles is slower than that of skeletal muscles, though they can be contracted longer. Finally, cardiac muscles are striated in appearance like skeletal muscles but are involuntarily controlled. Cardiac muscles are only found in the heart, and the rate of contractions is regulated by the autonomic nervous system ("Muscle").
With respect to spinal integrity, the skeletal muscles are of the utmost importance since they can be controlled. Attached to the skeleton by tendons that generally act as flexors and extensors, such as the flexor of the biceps and the extensors of the triceps, skeletal muscles provide the strength, balance, and posture for the body to move ("Muscle"). When there is little attention afforded to proper alignment of the spine and its surrounding skeletal muscles, however, a range of issues can arise including back pain, swelling, and other injuries.
Spinal Integrity, Movement, and the Muscular System
Much of human movement is believed to be intuitive, and there is little to no emphasis on movement education during elementary school (Oliver 24). Human beings learn how to move by modeling their parents, through genetically inherited restrictions and limitations, and through experience (Oliver 24). Postural habits that are poor can jeopardize spinal integrity for a lifetime, and many of these are formed during an individual's early years or because of a sedentary lifestyle (Oliver 24).
Intentional, muscular balance that emphasizes proper alignment of the spine can be invaluable to promoting the long-term health and wellness of the individual. The balance of the core, stabilizing muscles, including the psoas and the abdominals, demands that they be both strengthened as well as lengthened; the balance is then between power and flexibility (Oliver 25). In her article entitled "Alignment in Early Movement Education," Oliver writes "in the upright bipedal position, gravitational forces are imposed upon every joint... Gravity pulls the hip toward flexion, adduction, and inward rotation, which requires a constant state of contraction by the hip extensors, abductors, and external rotators. Finally, the spine is pulled toward flexion and must be balanced by spinal extension" (25). The efficiency of the human machine, however, demands an accurate sense of proper skeletal muscle alignment that erodes over time and with poor postural habits.
Ideally, the muscular system can align with a minimal degree of purposeful, muscular recruitment, as this essentially frees up more energy for more complex movements (Oliver 26). However, the muscular intuition of a human being is not necessarily dependable, as there is a subjective perception of what is comfortable and what is not, with positions perceived as comfortable, such as seated with a rounded, kyphotic spine not necessarily beneficial. Habits and environmental conditions such as a sedentary professional world render one accustomed to an incorrect position even though it creates bodily stress (Oliver 26).
When there is a muscular imbalance, such as little strength or flexibility or too much of one or the other, in an individual's spine, more energy is required to complete what should be fairly effortless activities such as standing or bending forward (Oliver 26). The rest of the bodily system then is forced to compensate for the lack of spinal integrity and this compromises joints, other muscles, and alternative aspects of the human machine. Overall, function is lessened considerably by a lack of spinal integrity.
Recommendations and Conclusions
The key to promoting spinal integrity with respect to the muscular system is to essentially educate the muscles that promote proper alignment. Just as the muscles learn poor habits, they can learn beneficial habits. Oliver writes in her aforementioned article that "alignment should be addressed as a skill like any other. The work can be as simple or sophisticated as specific learning environments enable. A logical place to start is with the point of contact with the earth" (26). When feet are improperly aligned, such as by contracting the ankle muscles when standing, complex postural problems such as chronic pronation result; thinking of the foot as a tripod of sorts, with the big toe, little toe, and heel the points of contact during standing movements, can autocorrect a range of postural problems related to standing, lifting, and other movements unrelated to the seated position. For postural problems emerging from the sedentary lifestyle, cultivating abdominal strengths and awareness of the psoas muscle is critical to combating kyphosis. Studies suggest that spinal integrity may be the foremost influence on healthy movement, and the muscular system is intimately related to spinal integrity (Granata, Slota, and Wilson 81).
Works Cited
"Muscle." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. 2009.
Granata, Kevin P., Greg P. Slota, and Sara E. Wilson. "Influence of Fatigue in Neuromuscular Control of Spinal Stability." Human Factors 46.1 (2004): 81-91.
Oliver, Suzanne. "Alignment in Early Movement Education Remembering What We Know: Awareness of Proper Alignment Can Improve Students' Movement Skills and Lessen the Risk of Injury." JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 80.3 (2009): 24-41.
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