Proprioceptors and Proprioceptors and the Kinesthetic Sensethe Kinesthetic Sense

Proprioceptors and the Kinesthetic SenseProprioceptors and the Kinesthetic Sense

• If you are going to be successful in any If you are going to be successful in any performance context, you must be able to performance context, you must be able to coordinate your motor performance. coordinate your motor performance.

• In order to do this, you have to be aware of In order to do this, you have to be aware of the position of the different parts of your body the position of the different parts of your body as well as be able to keep your balance.as well as be able to keep your balance.

• You must have a sense of where your body is You must have a sense of where your body is in relation to the environment and where all in relation to the environment and where all your various body parts are in relation to each your various body parts are in relation to each other.other.

• This sense of your body is called your This sense of your body is called your kinesthetic sense kinesthetic sense (a sense of yourself in (a sense of yourself in motion) and it is critical for the learning and motion) and it is critical for the learning and performance of perceptual-motor skills. performance of perceptual-motor skills.

• Your kinesthetic sense relies on a system of Your kinesthetic sense relies on a system of sensory receptors called “sensory receptors called “proprioceptorsproprioceptors.” .” 2

Structure and Function of the Structure and Function of the ProprioceptorsProprioceptors

• A A system of specialized receptors called system of specialized receptors called proprioceptors proprioceptors provide your central nervous provide your central nervous system with critical information for balance system with critical information for balance and body awareness.and body awareness.

• These receptors are located in the muscles, These receptors are located in the muscles, tendons and joints. tendons and joints.

• These proprioceptors keep your brain These proprioceptors keep your brain informed about what is happening to your informed about what is happening to your body. body.

• Proprioceptors are mechanoreceptors Proprioceptors are mechanoreceptors because they require mechanical stimuli for because they require mechanical stimuli for activation. activation.

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Muscle SpindlesMuscle Spindles

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The Muscle Spindles The Muscle Spindles • Scattered throughout all of your skeletal muscles are tiny Scattered throughout all of your skeletal muscles are tiny

stretch receptors, the muscle spindles.stretch receptors, the muscle spindles.• Muscle spindles provide information about muscle Muscle spindles provide information about muscle

length.length.• Muscle spindles lay parallel to the muscle fibers.Muscle spindles lay parallel to the muscle fibers.• When a muscle is stretched, its length changes.When a muscle is stretched, its length changes.• Muscle spindles activates when muscle lengthens (due to Muscle spindles activates when muscle lengthens (due to

potential danger). potential danger). • When muscle reaches a certain length, muscle spindles When muscle reaches a certain length, muscle spindles

tell the nervous system to contract muscle to prevent tell the nervous system to contract muscle to prevent further stretching – prevents against muscle damage.further stretching – prevents against muscle damage.

• The more quickly the stretch/length change, the more The more quickly the stretch/length change, the more rapid the firing of impulses.rapid the firing of impulses.

• In this way, the muscle spindles can report on the In this way, the muscle spindles can report on the velocity (speed) of muscle activity as well as the extent of velocity (speed) of muscle activity as well as the extent of the stretch achieved during muscle activitythe stretch achieved during muscle activity

• When the muscle contracts, it is called the point of bind When the muscle contracts, it is called the point of bind (POB).(POB). 5

The Golgi Tendon OrganThe Golgi Tendon Organ

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The Golgi Tendon OrgansThe Golgi Tendon Organs• Changes in tendon length and tension are detected by Golgi Changes in tendon length and tension are detected by Golgi

tendon organs. tendon organs. • The tension increases within a tendon as a result of muscle The tension increases within a tendon as a result of muscle

contraction. contraction. • The tension stimulates a Golgi tendon organ that then sends The tension stimulates a Golgi tendon organ that then sends

signals to the spinal cord and cerebellum to inform them signals to the spinal cord and cerebellum to inform them about the contraction state of the muscles.about the contraction state of the muscles.

• As the contraction of a muscle becomes stronger, the As the contraction of a muscle becomes stronger, the tension becomes greater and the rate of stimulation of the tension becomes greater and the rate of stimulation of the tendon organ increases. tendon organ increases.

• In this way, the tendon organ can inform the central In this way, the tendon organ can inform the central nervous system of the strength of muscle contraction. nervous system of the strength of muscle contraction.

• When POB is reached, stretch is held for 10 seconds, after When POB is reached, stretch is held for 10 seconds, after which the muscles relaxes and pain disappears.which the muscles relaxes and pain disappears.

• Golgi Tendon Organs brings about relaxation.Golgi Tendon Organs brings about relaxation.• Golgi Tendon Organs sense muscle tension, and sense when Golgi Tendon Organs sense muscle tension, and sense when

there is no danger of damage and override muscle spindles there is no danger of damage and override muscle spindles – cause muscle to relax.– cause muscle to relax.

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Specialized Joint ReceptorsSpecialized Joint Receptors• Special receptors in the joints signal changes Special receptors in the joints signal changes

in joint position. in joint position. • This information allows you to be aware of This information allows you to be aware of

positions of all of your various body parts.positions of all of your various body parts.• It also informs you when there are changes It also informs you when there are changes

in any positions.in any positions.• These receptors are stimulated when there is These receptors are stimulated when there is

movement in a joint.movement in a joint.• There are three different types of joint There are three different types of joint

receptors. receptors. • The most common are the spray-type of The most common are the spray-type of

Ruffini endings, similar to those found in the Ruffini endings, similar to those found in the skin. skin.

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Specialized Joint ReceptorsSpecialized Joint Receptors• As the joint capsule is distorted with As the joint capsule is distorted with

movement, these receptors can report the movement, these receptors can report the rate, direction and extent of movement in a rate, direction and extent of movement in a joint. joint.

• A second type of joint receptor is similar to A second type of joint receptor is similar to the Golgi tendon organ.the Golgi tendon organ.

• It is located in the ligaments surrounding It is located in the ligaments surrounding the joint and is stimulated by ligament the joint and is stimulated by ligament stretch and tension. stretch and tension.

• A modified kind of Pacinian corpuscle is the A modified kind of Pacinian corpuscle is the third type of joint receptor. third type of joint receptor.

• These receptors are stimulated by pressure These receptors are stimulated by pressure in connective tissue arising from the in connective tissue arising from the movement of the joint.movement of the joint.

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How Proprioceptors How Proprioceptors WorkWork

• Muscle spindles are primarily involved with Muscle spindles are primarily involved with providing information for reflex movements,providing information for reflex movements,

• Their sensory pathway is to the spinal cord, Their sensory pathway is to the spinal cord, where they can be directly associated with the where they can be directly associated with the command for an adjustment in movement command for an adjustment in movement patterns.patterns.

• Because the sensory fibers from Golgi tendon Because the sensory fibers from Golgi tendon organs that go to the spinal cord synapse (Iorgans that go to the spinal cord synapse (In the nervous system, a synapse is a structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another cell) with ) with interneurons, communication with the thalamus interneurons, communication with the thalamus and sensory cortex becomes possible.and sensory cortex becomes possible.

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How Proprioceptors How Proprioceptors WorkWork• Joint receptors operate in teams, with one team Joint receptors operate in teams, with one team

monitoring joint movement through a 10-15 degree range, monitoring joint movement through a 10-15 degree range, another team will take over for the next 10-15 degrees. another team will take over for the next 10-15 degrees.

• Since receptor teams are sensitive to different angles, the Since receptor teams are sensitive to different angles, the entire movement of that joint is covered because each entire movement of that joint is covered because each team fires during their own part of the range of movement.team fires during their own part of the range of movement.

• If movement is stopped at a certain joint angle, the If movement is stopped at a certain joint angle, the receptors team responsible in that range will continue receptors team responsible in that range will continue sending impulses to the central nervous system sending impulses to the central nervous system indefinitely.indefinitely.

• In addition to being able to report the angle of the joint In addition to being able to report the angle of the joint position, receptors also are able to report the speed position, receptors also are able to report the speed (velocity) of joint movement. (velocity) of joint movement.

• The rate at which they send impulses increases as the The rate at which they send impulses increases as the speed of joint movement increases.speed of joint movement increases.

• Information about joint position is sent to the cerebellum, Information about joint position is sent to the cerebellum, as well as to the thalamus and on to the sensory cortex.as well as to the thalamus and on to the sensory cortex.

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PRACTICALSPRACTICALS

• Practical ExamPractical Exam• Four in a group.Four in a group.• Each member needs to know how to catch a Each member needs to know how to catch a

ball, how to bad and ball and how to field.ball, how to bad and ball and how to field.• Members of the group will be rotated after Members of the group will be rotated after

2 rounds.2 rounds.• Will be held on the Veld-en-Vlei Sport Will be held on the Veld-en-Vlei Sport

Complex.Complex.• Date: 08/10/12 and 15/10/12Date: 08/10/12 and 15/10/12

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Proprioceptive Skills and the Proprioceptive Skills and the Kinesthetic SenseKinesthetic Sense

• Information gathered from the proprioceptors Information gathered from the proprioceptors is sent to the spinal cord, all parts of the is sent to the spinal cord, all parts of the brainstem, the cerebellum as well as the brainstem, the cerebellum as well as the sensory cortex where it is put together to sensory cortex where it is put together to form perceptions about your body that we form perceptions about your body that we generally refer to as your kinesthetic sense.generally refer to as your kinesthetic sense.

• Your kinesthetic sense or your "sense of your Your kinesthetic sense or your "sense of your body in motion" is a result of the information body in motion" is a result of the information you derive from your proprioceptors.you derive from your proprioceptors.

• This "sense of your body as you move needs This "sense of your body as you move needs to be integrated with visual and auditory to be integrated with visual and auditory information to form a complete and accurate information to form a complete and accurate perception of movement situation. perception of movement situation.

• The following proprioceptive skills The following proprioceptive skills (kinesthetic abilities) are important for motor (kinesthetic abilities) are important for motor skill performance.skill performance.

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1. Body Awareness1. Body Awareness

• Body awareness involves your sense Body awareness involves your sense of the relation of your body parts to of the relation of your body parts to one another, and the rate at which one another, and the rate at which they are moving (if they are moving). they are moving (if they are moving).

• Body awareness includes your Body awareness includes your understanding of the extent of a understanding of the extent of a movement pattern as you perform it.movement pattern as you perform it.

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2. Spatial Awareness2. Spatial Awareness

• Spatial awareness is your awareness of how Spatial awareness is your awareness of how quickly and in what direction you are moving.quickly and in what direction you are moving.

• You could be moving forward, backward, left, You could be moving forward, backward, left, right, up, down, on a rotational path, etc. right, up, down, on a rotational path, etc.

• Different body parts also move in different Different body parts also move in different directions and at different speed during directions and at different speed during motor skill performance. motor skill performance.

• Your sense of where all the different parts of Your sense of where all the different parts of your body are in space is your spatial your body are in space is your spatial awareness.awareness.

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Body Awareness Body Awareness Throwing the javelinThrowing the javelin

• Throwing the javelin Throwing the javelin provides a challengeprovides a challengeto your body to your body awareness, since itawareness, since itrequires you to do a requires you to do a variety of differentvariety of differentmovements with movements with your arms and legs,your arms and legs,including a twisting including a twisting of your trunkof your trunkand a cross-over and a cross-over step.step.

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Spatial AwarenessSpatial Awareness Blocking at the netBlocking at the net

• Blocking at the net in Blocking at the net in volleyball providesvolleyball providesa challenge to your a challenge to your spatial awareness.spatial awareness.You must know where You must know where you are jumpingyou are jumpingin relation to the net, in relation to the net, get your armsget your armsfully extended, and fully extended, and land on yourland on yourown side of the court.own side of the court.

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Body Awareness and Spatial Awareness Body Awareness and Spatial Awareness combine to give you a sense of where all combine to give you a sense of where all

your body parts are and how you are your body parts are and how you are using the space around you using the space around you

• In the high jumpIn the high jump, , you must have a you must have a body awareness of body awareness of the relationship the relationship among your arms, among your arms, legs, head and legs, head and trunk, trunk,

• as well as a spatial as well as a spatial awarenessawarenessof moving upward of moving upward and backward.and backward.

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Body Awareness and Spatial Awareness Body Awareness and Spatial Awareness combine to give you a sense of where all combine to give you a sense of where all

your body parts are and how you are your body parts are and how you are using the space around youusing the space around you

• When volleying a When volleying a soccer ballsoccer ball, you , you mustmusthave sufficient body have sufficient body awareness to createawareness to createa balanced body a balanced body shape in the air, shape in the air,

• and a spatial and a spatial awareness of the awareness of the horizontal flighthorizontal flightof your body toward of your body toward the ballthe ball 20