Locomotion and movement

Life in the trees requires a constant stream of body adjustments (Figure 1). Primates are fantastic leapers (Figure 2), swift arboreal quadrupeds, arm-swingers, and vertical clingers. In fact, primates possess one of the most varied movement arrays of all mammals. As a group, primates are hind-limb dominated. They utilize a diagonal couplet gait and they tend to bend their elbows and knees (Figure 3) as they move along branches (Hildebrand, 1967; Napier, 1967; Martin, 1972; Kimura et al., 1979; Rollinson & Martin, 1988; Demes et al., 1994; Schmitt, 1995; Larson, 1998, Larson et al., 2001; Cartmill et al., 2002). All of these characteristics help maintain balance along a curved surface. Despite what is written in most introductory textbooks, primate bodies are not generalized but are in fact quite specialized for life in the trees. Positional behavior is the term primatologists use to describe body postures with movements (see Prost, 1965; Rose, 1973, 1974; Hunt et al. 1996 for a list of postures and movements). Most postures are quite static. For example, sitting (Figure 4), standing, or lying down (Figure 5) are frequently observed among living primate postural patterns. These are often described as resting postures. Postures such as cantilevering, vertical clinging, tail suspension, or foot hanging (Figure 6), which are associated with specific species, are often linked to obtaining food. A few body adaptations, for example prehensile tails, arm-hanging anatomy, and isch...

Classifying movements of an activity The lesson described a variety of movements, which can be classified into the three categories of Locomotor, Nonlocomotor, and Manipulative. This exercise will involve identifying the basic movements involved in an activity, classifying each into one of the three categories of movement, and discussing how the movement contributes to the activity. Example of a baseball pitcher Consider the movement of a baseball pitcher as a pitch is delivered. The pitcher stands on the pitching mound, shakes his head to a sign from the catcher, and then nods. He then raises his right leg, twists his lower back, and then throws the ball to the catcher. The batter at the plate then hits the ball on the ground in the direction of the pitcher. The pitcher runs of the mound, bends down and picks up the ball, then throws the ball to first base. Answer Locomotor movements Running - the purpose is to move toward off of the pitching mound and to the baseball. Nonlocomotor movements' Shaking and nodding head - the purpose is to communicate with the catcher which pitch the pitcher would like to throw. Raising leg, twisting back - the purpose is to help generate the forces necessary for the pitch. Bending and picking up the ball - the pitcher is fielding the ball hit by the batter. Manipulative movements Throwing - The pitcher throws the ball to the plate with the goal of the batter not being able to hit the pitch. The pitcher throws the ball to first base to put t...

Term Meaning Musculoskeletal system The body system that provides support, stability, shape, and movement to the body Joint The point at which two (or more) bones meet. Cartilage Soft connective tissue found between joints Ligaments Connective tissue that attaches bone to bone at a joint Tendons Connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone Voluntary muscle Muscle that can be consciously controlled Involuntary muscle Muscle that is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (not consciously controlled) Striated muscle Muscle tissue that has a striped appearance due to its fiber composition Cartilage acts as a shock absorber to reduce friction. Ligaments help stabilize the joint, keeping it from moving outside of its intended range of motion. Tendons connect the skeletal system to the muscular system by attaching muscle to bone. When muscle contracts, the tendon acts on the bone, causing movement. Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated. These are the muscles that attach to bones and control conscious movement. Smooth muscle is involuntary and non-striated. It is found in the hollow organs of the body, such as the stomach, intestines, and around blood vessels. Cardiac muscle is involuntary and striated. It is found only in the heart and is specialized to help pump blood throughout the body. I believe that the diaphragm would be a mixture of both involuntary smooth muscles and voluntary skeletal muscles. Because you can exhale and inhale without thinking, that indicates t...