What is proprioception?

We are all familiar with the five senses: hearing, smell, touch, vision, and taste. However, there is another sense that we use constantly, which is so natural to us that we are often not even aware of its existence: proprioception.

So, what is proprioception, and what are its roles?

Proprioception is the knowledge, whether conscious or not, of the position of the different parts of our body in space. More scientifically, it is the nerve information sent from the muscles, tendons, joints, and tissues to the brain. Similar to a sixth sense in relation to the environment outside the body, this technique is regularly used by physiotherapists to treat injuries, often related to joints.

The word proprioception comes from the Latin "propius" and "[reception]" and means "own conscience" or "deep sensitivity."

Proprioception Development

Proprioception has the distinction of relying on the plasticity of the brain, which can reorganize its neural circuits according to its resources and the tasks it has to perform. As a result of motor learning, the brain constantly creates neural connections, and each of our actions changes our brain. Therefore, it takes many repetitions to strengthen the connections, and proprioception plays a major role in the gradual development of the body diagram during childhood.

In the uterus, the fetus is contained in flexion, which allows it to test its proprioception during sharp movements of extension and coiling. The brain slowly begins to take control of the movements.

After birth, the child develops their proprioceptive system through movement. It is essential to allow them to move and even encourage them to move, as they gradually recognize the different parts of their body and that of others. Around the age of 3, they can roughly represent themselves in the drawing of a human. Normally, the body diagram is not completed until around 11-12 years old.

Constantly Updated Proprioception

Proprioception is constantly updated according to our actions and what we undergo, such as a change in weight, growth spurt in adolescence, or an injury. Learning can take that meaning to new heights, such as professional dancers or when a musician playing without looking at their fingers.

As with many other subjects, there is a form of misunderstanding around this theme. At the origin, when we say proprioception, we immediately think of work on unstable surfaces or on a trampoline that we do with a physiotherapist after an injury. However, standing on an unstable platform, such as a balance ball, is not proprioception. It is more of a work of balance, which can be interesting but has its limits.

Proprioception allows us to control our members without looking directly at them. Without it, life as we know it would be impossible. Therefore, it is the basis of the qualities of coordination and skill, which form the foundation of motor skills. Good proprioception is essential for us to maintain our postures and ensure the coordination of our movements.

Spatial Localization

Beyond its role in the movement, proprioception plays a fundamental role in the way in which our brain processes information from our other sense organs.

Originally, this very archaic sense had the role of allowing the subject to very quickly and very precisely locate a potential danger in the environment, so that they react in a way to ensure their survival. It is at the center of the neurological phenomena which make it possible to locate the source of sensory stimuli in space.

Indeed, proprioception does not work independently but in connection with the other sense organs and strongly influences their work by constantly giving the brain an indication of their respective place in the body.

Proprioception: Benefits, Exercises, and Multisensory Perception

Proprioception is a technique that can offer several benefits by improving balance and posture. It is suitable for the elderly, people practicing tasks requiring repetitive movements daily, or athletes wishing to increase their performance.

In addition to enhancing balance and posture, proprioception can also help strengthen muscles. For instance, instead of using a mat to do push-ups, try using cushions or another object that can alter your balance. Your muscles will have to adapt to find the appropriate position, making the exercise more challenging and beneficial.

Another key benefit of proprioception is injury prevention. This technique focuses on strengthening the postural muscles, such as the abdominal belt, which can help prevent back pain and spinal injuries.

Does proprioception help avoid the risk of injury?

Yes, a good proprioception technique can help reduce the risk of injury. It allows the player to have better muscular control, improve coordination, and know when they are positioned correctly, thus reducing the stresses on their joints and muscles.

Proprioception acts as a link between the body and mind. It connects the muscle and articulation system with the central nervous system and brain. Our musculoskeletal system works as a whole. Proprioceptive receptors can act independently, resulting in reflex movements. They are useful when we need to escape danger. A good proprioception technique optimizes the player's behavior in terms of movement, running, jumping, landing, striking the ball, and reacting to various situations, making them more efficient and less prone to injuries.

Examples of proprioception exercises

Proprioception exercises can be performed on the ground or with accessories such as balance balls, rollers, and trampolines. The goal is to reduce the support surface of the body and force it to improve its balance.

Here are some simple examples:

• Stand on an unstable surface such as a cushion or soft mat and balance on one foot for one minute.
• Run on the spot on a small trampoline while lifting your knees well.
• On an unstable platform, crouch and then get up slowly while trying to maintain your balance.
• In plank position on your toes with hands placed on the ground, raise one hand and then the other on each side. For more difficulty, this exercise can be done with your hands on a small ball.

Multisensory perception

Our brain processes signal from our different sense organs continuously. It is a multitasking organ that performs various tasks automatically. Including balance management, breathing, etc., to provide for our basic needs and clear our minds to focus on higher-level cognitive activities.

However, the information from different sense organs such as sight, vestibular system, and proprioception must be coherent and concordant with the data of the immediate environment to allow the brain to function optimally. Otherwise, the brain is in a state of vigilance, of "stress," to verify the information. It ensures survival, such as situating danger, avoiding falls, or not bumping into objects.

When proprioception is disturbed, sensory conflicts arise. The brain cannot process all the information from other senses, leading to unconscious, temporary, and random deletions of visual information that occur in certain gaze positions or when receiving auditory information.

It is important to note that high levels of stress, anxiety, or anger can also disturb the proprioception system.

To learn more visit: https://www.MaximumComposure.com

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