Muscle Control Issues: When Brain Power is Needed for Strength

Q: Muscle Control Issues: When Brain Power is Needed for Strength

Hello： Based on what you have reported, you still have room for improvement. <br>Being able to do push-ups and ride a bike indicates that your muscle strength should be fine. <br>Otherwise, please visit a neurologist for an electromyography (EMG) examination. <br>Best wishes, Dr.

Muscles have difficulty exerting force regularly?

I usually have difficulty exerting muscle strength, and I need to use my brain to control my movements.
When I stand, only my calves are firm, while my thighs and glutes are completely soft.
The softness is such that when I press with my fingers, I can feel the bone beneath, and they feel as soft as water.
The reason is that my muscles cannot exert force when needed; I have to consciously control them to apply strength, and once I do, they become very firm.
Additionally, I exercise daily, such as running, so it is not a matter of insufficient training.
My arms are also unusually soft; regardless of whether my classmates are thin or overweight, their arm muscles are well-defined and feel firm when they write.
When my classmates stand and chat, their arm muscles are engaged, but despite doing push-up training, my arms are softer than those of some classmates who do not like to exercise.
When I consciously control my muscles, they become well-defined, indicating that it is not a training issue.
Many postures also make it difficult to exert strength: while walking, my calves are firm, but only for the brief moment when my heels touch the ground, and my hamstrings are firm.
When running, my calves are firm, my thighs are slightly firmer but still insufficient, and my glutes are soft.
When sitting or standing, both legs are soft, especially the gluteal muscles, which struggle to provide support.
When sitting on a wooden school chair, even slight movements produce a creaking sound from my muscles, and the lack of muscle protection leads to direct pressure between my bones, tendons, and the chair, causing numbness and pain after a short time.
When lying flat, my legs are together and straight, with the soles of my feet extending outward to the edge of the bed, exceeding the normal angle.
When I think about other things, my muscle exertion is at 0%.
In normal circumstances, people at least exert some force, but I do not.

In the situations described above, if I consciously control my muscles, everything functions normally.
However, I would like to ask a physician how I can enable my muscles to operate automatically when they need to exert force without requiring conscious control.
For example, when riding a bike, if I focus on pedaling, my gluteal, thigh, and calf muscles do not engage, making it easy to lose balance when accelerating, braking, or turning.

Note: I have flat feet.

Lin, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2006/05/27

Dr. Qiu Yushu reply Neurosurgery

Hello: Based on what you have reported, you still have room for improvement.
Being able to do push-ups and ride a bike indicates that your muscle strength should be fine.
Otherwise, please visit a neurologist for an electromyography (EMG) examination.
Best wishes, Dr.
Yu-Shu Chiu.

Reply Date: 2006/05/27

More Info

The issues you are experiencing with muscle control and strength are quite complex and can be attributed to a variety of factors, including neurological, muscular, and possibly even psychological components. From your description, it seems that you have difficulty activating certain muscle groups without conscious effort, which can be frustrating and limiting in daily activities.

Understanding Muscle Control
Muscle control is primarily governed by the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. When you want to move a muscle, your brain sends signals through these pathways to activate the muscle fibers. In your case, it appears that there is a disconnect between the brain's signals and the muscle's ability to respond automatically. This can manifest as muscle weakness or a lack of tone in certain areas, while other muscles may respond normally.

Possible Causes
1. Neurological Factors: Conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or other neuromuscular disorders can lead to difficulties in muscle activation. If your brain has to consciously control muscle movements that should be automatic, it may indicate an underlying neurological issue.

2. Muscle Tone and Strength: The fact that your muscles feel soft and require conscious effort to engage could suggest hypotonia (low muscle tone). This condition can be associated with various neurological disorders or developmental issues. It’s also possible that your muscle fibers are not being recruited effectively during movement, which can happen if there is a lack of coordination between the brain and muscles.

3. Motor Learning and Coordination: The brain learns to control muscles through practice and repetition. If certain muscle groups are not being used effectively, they may not develop the necessary neural pathways for automatic activation. This could explain why you feel the need to consciously engage your muscles during activities that should be more automatic.

4. Flat Feet (Pes Planus): Your mention of flat feet could also play a role in your muscle control issues. Flat feet can lead to altered biomechanics during standing and walking, which may affect how your muscles engage. This can result in compensatory patterns that further complicate muscle activation.

Recommendations for Improvement
1. Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist can be invaluable. They can assess your muscle strength, tone, and coordination, and develop a tailored exercise program that focuses on improving muscle activation and strength. They may also incorporate techniques to enhance proprioception (awareness of body position) and coordination.

2. Strength Training: Incorporating resistance training can help improve muscle tone and strength. Focus on exercises that target the specific muscle groups that feel weak. Gradually increasing the resistance and complexity of movements can help your brain learn to activate these muscles more effectively.

3. Neuromuscular Re-education: Techniques such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may help stimulate muscle contractions and improve muscle tone. This can be particularly useful if you have difficulty activating certain muscles.

4. Mindfulness and Focus: Practicing mindfulness during physical activities can help improve your connection between your brain and muscles. Concentrating on the movements and consciously engaging the muscles can help reinforce the neural pathways necessary for automatic activation.

5. Consultation with Specialists: Given the complexity of your symptoms, it may be beneficial to consult with a neurologist or a specialist in neuromuscular disorders. They can conduct further evaluations, such as electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies, to better understand the underlying issues.

Conclusion
Your situation is multifaceted, and addressing it will likely require a combination of approaches. By working with healthcare professionals who specialize in muscle control and neurological function, you can develop a comprehensive plan to improve your muscle activation and overall strength. Remember, progress may take time, but with the right support and interventions, you can work towards achieving better muscle control and function in your daily life.

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