The outer sling systems in action during gait

Part 1

The best way to see how the outer systems perform their true function is seeing it at its natural: that of gait. During gait there is a consistent activation of the inner unit, this activation though low it is strong enough to provide the correct amount of stiffness to joints which allows for more motion of the outer unit. The constant fluctuation of recruitment provided by the inner unit will differ as needed due to the principle laws of mechanics and the neurological reflex reactions created by the internal and external environment will provide the stimulus that is needed for amount of firing as needed to provide adequate joint stiffness and support. During the gait cycle, we swing one leg forward and the opposite arm back, termed counter- rotation. As we are about to strike a foot on the ground, the hamstring muscles become active this starts the process of turning on the deep longitudinal systems which uses the thoracic lumber facia, sacro-tuberous ligament and spinal muscles to transmit the kinetic energy provided by the ground and motion above the line of the pelvis to provide stabilisation of the sacro -iliac joint by tension created at the hamstring (bicep femors) and spinal muscle. This works to transmit energy up and down the kinetic chain, as the bicep femurs has a communication system with the peroneus trough the deep longitudinal system it allows for around 18% of the contraction forces created by the deep longitudinal system (bicep femurs) into the facia of the peroneus longus. Due to the attachment of the peroneal longus with the first metal tarsal and as the anterior tibialis also attach to the same place, this combination makes the motion of heal strike a co-contraction of peroneal longs and the anterior tibialis, via recruitment of the bicep femurs muscle vital in stabilisation of the lower leg and foot (deep longitudinal system). At this time the bicep femurs activates prior to heal strike which induces the foot to dosro flex and in turn activates a wind up of the thoracic lumber facia which performs a stabilisation act upon the lower extremities and the lumber, pelvis, hip complex and storing the kinetic force produced ready for the propulsive phase of gait.