To understand the secret of the agility of some and the reason for the awkwardness of others, the study of the structure and function of the balance organs will help. Understanding the basics of vestibuloreception - the perception of your body in space, will give an answer on how to improve coordination of movements and whether it is possible to develop dexterity.
Vestibular sensory
Vestibuloreception in the body is provided by the organs of balance. Among them, the peripheral section located in the inner ear and the central one are distinguished. The latter is a combination of neural pathways, nuclei, and cortical nerve cells. The cerebellum is responsible for coordination.
The peripheral section of the vestibular analyzer consists of three channels, which are called semicircular, and the vestibule. The channels are oriented in three planes with respect to each other, in connection with which they received the name frontal, horizontal and sagittal. They are filled with viscous liquid contents.
In anticipation are two sacs: utriculus communicating with semicircular canals, and sacculus adjacent to the cochlea. These bags are part of the otolith apparatus. This sensory system is responsible for the sensation of gravity, as well as the perception of deceleration or acceleration, while the channels are responsible for the reaction to rotation, thanks to which a person does not lose balance even when making difficult flips and somersaults.
Otolith anatomy
So, this device is on the eve of and consists of two bags, on the surface of which there are mechanoreceptors. They are filled with high viscosity endolymph and, together with the channels and cochlea, form a single endolymphatic flow.
Part of the hair receptors is directed inside the cavity of the sacs. As a rule, these are structures of sixty or more glued hairs with a longer spine.
They penetrate the jelly-like membrane of the utriculus and sacculus. By structure, the receptors of the otolith apparatus are divided into two types:
- The first type has a bulbous shape. These receptors are considered younger in terms of evolutionary development.
- The second type is characterized by a cylindrical shape. In evolutionary terms, they are older.
The receptor cells are connected at the apex by the hairs with the dome and endolymph of the semicircular canals on the one hand, and the membrane of the otolith sacs on the other. Among these hairs, thick and long kinocilia are distinguished, as well as many short stereocilia. At their ends, they come in contact with a statoconium membrane having a jelly structure due to the mucopolysaccharide gel that is part of it. It contains crystals of calcium phosphates - otoliths.
From the receptors come neurons: dendrites and axons of afferent and efferent connections. The innervation is carried out by neurons of the vestibular node connecting to the vestibular cochlear nerve, and by the vestibular nuclei:
- top;
- lower;
- medial;
- lateral.
Physiology of vestibular analyzers
The physiology of the otolith apparatus was studied by scientists Sewall and Breyer. The first formulation of functional theory belongs to J. Breuer. According to his theory, analyzer irritation causes a displacement of the statoconium membrane relative to receptor hairs, as well as bending of the hairs themselves. Inertial forces arising against the background of acceleration in different directions lead to a signal.
Researchers R. Magnus and A. de Klein believe that irritation of the receptors is caused by otoliths, the maximum being observed when they are suspended, and the minimum when the otoliths are pressed onto the hairs.
The reflex response to irritation is based in the muscles of the base of the neck and limbs, and also manifests itself in tonic rotational and vertical eye movements. The essence is to maintain balance, as well as keeping surrounding objects in sight when changing the position of the head.
Ways to improve coordination
The sensitivity of the vestibular apparatus is not static: with constant exposure to the stimulus, the severity of the reaction decreases, adaptation develops. This is the basis for training that improves coordination of movements.
Improvement of motor coordination in the following ways:
- increased accuracy of movements;
- operating time of motor memory;
- improved reaction rate;
- vestibular training
Achieving these results is possible when playing sports, as well as performing special sets of exercises.