Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces from Coursera

Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces is the first course of the specialization "Science of Movement".

In this course, we will delve into the mechanisms by which our nervous system communicates with our muscles, allowing us to perform a wide range of coordinated movements with precision. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, a sports coach, a medical student, or simply curious about the inner workings of your body, this course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how the nervous system plays a vital role in enabling our muscles to produce movements.

The discussion begins with an explanation of how the activation signal is generated by neurons and then transmitted to targeted muscles. You will learn how the nervous system provides muscles with the activation signals needed to perform movement. You will learn about the contractile properties of motor units and how the force produced by a muscle depends on the amount of motor unit activity.

By the end of this course, you will have gained a deep understanding of the intricate relation between the nervous system and muscle activation. You will be equipped with knowledge that can be applied to various fields, such as exercise prescription, sports performance, physical therapy, and neurology.

What's inside

Syllabus

Excitable Membranes

This week you will be introduced to this course and get started right away with discovering how the nervous system generates and transmits the activation signal needed by muscles to perform movement. You will learn that this ability depends critically on the electrical properties of neurons.

Nerve-Muscle Synapse

In the second week of this course you will learn about the transmission of the electrical activation signal from the nervous system to muscle and how to measure and interpret the resulting activation of muscle. In addition, we will discuss a transport system that moves organelles and proteins away from and toward the soma of a neuron and the functional significance of these actions.

Motor Unit

The third week of the first course establishes the motor unit as the final common pathway between the nervous system and muscle. We will also compare the contracile properties of motor units and emphasize that it is not possible to identify distinct types of motor units even though muscle fibers can be classified into three types.

Control of Muscle Force

The final week for this course examines the strategies used by the nervous system to control muscle force, the influence of muscle design on the force it generates, and the types of muscle contractions used during voluntary actions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores fundamental concepts of how muscles are controlled by the nervous system

Involves the generation and transmission of activation signals from the nervous system to muscles, as well as the measurement and interpretation of muscle activation

Investigates the structure and function of motor units, emphasizing the role of motor unit recruitment and firing rate in controlling muscle force

Examines various types of muscle contractions, including isometric, isotonic, and auxotonic contractions, and the factors that influence the type of contraction performed

Provides a comprehensive understanding of the neuromuscular system for various applications in exercise prescription, sports performance, physical therapy, and neurology

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces with these activities:

Explore muscle anatomy and physiology

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Gain a deeper understanding of the structure and function of muscles, providing a foundation for comprehending their role in movement.

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Follow online tutorials on muscle histology and ultrastructure
Watch videos demonstrating muscle contraction mechanisms

Review electrical properties of neurons

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Refresh your understanding of the fundamental properties of neurons, which will be essential for understanding nerve-muscle communication.

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Read textbook chapter on neuron electrophysiology
Watch online videos explaining resting and action potentials
Solve practice problems involving ion channel behavior

Assist in a physical therapy clinic

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Gain hands-on experience in a physical therapy setting, observing the assessment and treatment of movement disorders.

Browse courses on Physical Therapy

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Contact local physical therapy clinics and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Shadow physical therapists during patient consultations and treatments

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Practice calculating muscle force

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Reinforce your understanding of the factors influencing muscle force, which will help you comprehend the strategies used by the nervous system to control movement.

Browse courses on Mechanics

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Solve practice problems involving the relationship between muscle length, tension, and force
Calculate muscle force using different recruitment patterns

Discuss neuromuscular disorders

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Engage with fellow learners to explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments of various neuromuscular disorders, broadening your understanding of movement disorders.

Browse courses on Pathology

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Join a study group or online forum
Present your understanding of a specific neuromuscular disorder
Discuss treatment options and their implications

Design an experiment to measure muscle fatigue

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Apply your knowledge of muscle physiology to design an experiment that will investigate a specific aspect of muscle fatigue, enhancing your comprehension of this phenomenon.

Browse courses on Experimental Design

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Identify the specific aspect of muscle fatigue to be investigated
Develop a hypothesis and design an experimental protocol
Conduct the experiment and analyze the data

Develop a literature review on neural adaptations to exercise

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Critically analyze scientific literature to synthesize current knowledge on how the nervous system responds and adapts to exercise, deepening your understanding of the relationship between neural function and physical activity.

Browse courses on Exercise Physiology

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Search for and select relevant research articles
Extract and synthesize key findings
Write a comprehensive literature review

Participate in a biomechanics competition

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Challenge yourself by participating in a biomechanics competition, applying your knowledge of muscle function and movement to design and test solutions to real-world problems.

Browse courses on Biomechanics

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Identify a biomechanics competition relevant to your interests
Form a team and develop a project proposal
Design, build, and test your solution

Career center

Learners who complete Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Massage Therapist

Massage Therapists use massage to promote relaxation and well-being. They work with clients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Massage Therapists because it provides a deep understanding of the structure and function of the muscular system, which is essential for providing effective massages.

See salaries and explore the career path for Massage Therapist

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists help people of all ages to recover from injuries and disabilities and to live independently. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Physical Therapists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of muscle activation and movement control, which is essential for developing and implementing effective rehabilitation programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physical Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people of all ages to recover from injuries and disabilities and to live independently. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Occupational Therapists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of muscle activation and movement control, which is essential for developing and implementing effective rehabilitation programs.

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Chiropractor

Chiropractors use spinal adjustments and other manual therapies to treat pain and dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system. They work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Chiropractors because it provides a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of muscle activation and movement, which is essential for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems.

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Athletic Trainer

Athletic Trainers work with athletes of all ages to prevent and treat injuries. They use their knowledge of the human body and movement to develop and implement rehabilitation programs. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Athletic Trainers because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of muscle activation and movement control.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Physicians because it provides a deep understanding of the structure and function of the muscular system, which is essential for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems.

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Exercise Physiologist

Exercise Physiologists work with people of all ages to improve their health and fitness. They design and implement exercise programs, and they monitor and evaluate the progress of their clients. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Exercise Physiologists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of muscle activation and movement control, which is essential for designing and implementing effective exercise programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Exercise Physiologist

Prosthetist

Prosthetists design, build, and fit artificial limbs and other devices to replace missing body parts. They work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Prosthetists because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of muscle activation and movement control, which is essential for designing and fitting artificial limbs that function effectively.

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Strength and Conditioning Coach

Strength and Conditioning Coaches help athletes of all ages and skill levels to improve their strength, power, and endurance. They work with athletes in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, and professional sports teams. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Strength and Conditioning Coaches because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of muscle activation and movement control, which is essential for designing and implementing effective training programs.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers use their knowledge of engineering and biology to design and develop medical devices and treatments. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, research laboratories, and the medical device industry. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Biomedical Engineers because it provides a deep understanding of the relationship between the nervous system and muscle activation, which is essential for designing and developing medical devices that interact with the human body.

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Sports Medicine Physician

Sports Medicine Physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses that occur in athletes. They work with athletes of all ages and skill levels, from recreational athletes to professional athletes. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces would be helpful for Sports Medicine Physicians because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of muscle activation and movement control, which is essential for diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries.

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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies. They work under the supervision of a physician and may perform a variety of tasks, such as administering medications, changing dressings, and monitoring vital signs. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces may be helpful for Registered Nurses because it provides a basic understanding of the structure and function of the muscular system, which may be useful in providing care to patients with musculoskeletal problems.

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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors help people with disabilities to find and maintain employment. They work with clients of all ages, from high school students to adults. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces may be helpful for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors because it provides a basic understanding of the structure and function of the muscular system, which may be useful in working with clients with disabilities that affect movement.

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Yoga Instructor

Yoga Instructors teach yoga classes to people of all ages and skill levels. They work in a variety of settings, including yoga studios, gyms, and community centers. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces may be helpful for Yoga Instructors because it provides a basic understanding of the structure and function of the muscular system, which may be useful in teaching yoga poses and sequences.

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Zoologist

Zoologists study the behavior, physiology, and evolution of animals. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, and zoos. The course Movements Are Controlled By Muscle Forces may be helpful for Zoologists because it provides a basic understanding of the structure and function of the muscular system, which may be useful in studying animal locomotion and behavior.

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