Gravity and Antigravity Muscles

Central to the concepts of balance and posture, gravity and antigravity muscles are the tools that provide us with the ability to maintain the centre-of-gravity (COG) within a stable base of support.

Balance is achieved when a vertical line falls from the centre-of-gravity through this base of support.

Any imbalances cause compensatory abnormalities which affect alignment within the entire musculoskeletal system.

Optimal postural alignment is vital in counteracting the constant gravitational forces opposing the body. When the two are in balance, muscles are able to function with the least amount of work.

Foot Pain Relief, Injury Prevention, Better Posture and Sports Performance in One Insole know more

Less strain is placed on the muscles, ligaments and bones thereby enhancing their efficiency and increasing bone density and muscle mass.

Opposing the effect of gravity, the antigravity muscles help maintain an upright, balanced posture.

These muscles consist of namely the soleus muscles, the extensors of the leg, the gluteus maximus, the quadriceps femoris and the muscles of the back. Additionally, the cervico-occipital muscles hold the head in an erect position, preventing it from rolling forward.

These also play an important role in the proprioception process, with proprioceptors in the plantar surface sending key information about pressure in the feet to the antigravity muscles through the nervous system.

Any weakening of these muscles combined with the continuously working gravitational forces leads to poor postural stability, which affects muscle function.

If left untreated, this ultimately leads to degeneration of joints and deformities such as a structural collapse in the foot.

Postural alignment is essential to maintain normal length-tension relationships of the muscles especially during dynamic posture, determining the ease with which the body segments align themselves throughout movement.

Any disruptions to this alignment throws the kinetic chain of the body off balance, making the person susceptible to a host of injuries.

Understanding our limitations at controlling the effect gravitational forces have on the muscles in the foot and its structure should form the basis of treatment programmes.

Foot Pain Relief, Injury Prevention, Better Posture and Sports Performance in One Insole know more

References:

Patricia A. Potter, Anne Griffin Perry, Patricia Stockert, Amy Hall (2012) Fundamentals of Nursing - Elsevieron VitalSource: March 2012, Chapter 38, Unit 7, pp. 747-748
Indu Khurana (2011) Medical Physiology for Undergraduate Students: 2011, Chapter 10, Page 841

Also in Clinicians Blog

Prevention of Diabetic Foot Complications

This paper aimed to discuss the importance of prevention and the authors’ protocol for prevention – in the form of education and foot screening – and to review the existing evidence in the literature regarding the effectiveness of the preventive approach.

Pilates for Posture Improvement

The emphasis of pilates on core strengthening and improvement of posture makes it a good addition to treatment and rehabilitative strategies, especially those that are designed to minimise postural disparities.

Foot Disorders, Foot Posture, and Foot Function: The Framingham Foot Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between foot disorders, and foot posture and function in a population-based sample of adults.

Rehabilitation of Your Foot and Lower Back Conditions.
Long Lasting Wear
Strong Foot Support
Easy to use
Handmade MASS4D® Quality
Have a look at our insole here

FREE EXERCISES

+MASS4D® Articles For The Medical Community

Please have a a look at our medical reviews and clinical articles on everything about lower biomechanics.
Click for the clinicians blog

+Categories

+Recent Articles

+MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.
The content, products and services offered herein, are here to educate consumers on healthcare and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Nothing in the content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This site and its services do not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment.

+INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The marks "MASS4D" and the MASS4D logo are trademarks. The content and design of MASS4D.com is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, display, transmit or frame any of these materials without prior written consent from MASS4D®.

Medical Disclaimer

The content, products or services on this site should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Included materials and conversations do not imply a personalised doctor-patient relationship.

Copyright and Intellectual property

MASS4D® and Logo are registered trademarks of MASS4D Inc. All content, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of MASS4D® Inc.