Heart Engine – Cardiovascular System :
– A well-tuned engine – healthy heart pumps fuel (blood) efficiently, providing energy to the entire vehicle (body).
– Good engine performance of heart – cardiovascular health enables the vehicle to accelerate, climb hills, and maintain speed.
Lungs – Air Filter (Respiratory System)
– A clean air filter (healthy respiratory system) ensures a steady supply of clean air, maintaining engine performance and overall vehicle health.
– Good air filter performance (respiratory health) enables the vehicle to run efficiently, maintain speed, and respond well to challenges.
When all these systems work together in harmony, the vehicle (body) runs smoothly, efficiently, and at peak performance!
How do we improve the working capacity of the heart and lungs, two of the vital engines? They are related to each other as well as the other two liver and kidneys.
The physical state of the heart and lungs is most essential for cardiorespiratory function/ performance.
If parts of a car engine are not in proper condition, the engine may perform poorly, overheat, or produce unusual smoke.
In that sense, the heart’s physical state can be compared to a car engine’s physical condition. Just as a well-maintained engine with clean oil, proper fuel, and functional components can run smoothly, the heart’s physical state, including its structure, muscles, and valves, plays a crucial role in its functioning.
Factors such as:
1. Cardiac muscle strength and flexibility
2. Valve health and function
3. Blood vessel condition and flexibility
4. Electrical conduction system integrity
all contribute to the heart’s physical state and its ability to pump blood efficiently.
Heart Components :
Just like a car engine, the heart’s physical state is crucial for its performance. If the heart’s components are worn out, damaged, or poorly maintained, it won’t function smoothly, regardless of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
*Heart Components and Their Functions*
1. Heart Valves (Mitral, Tricuspid, Aortic, Pulmonary) : Ensure blood flows in one direction, preventing backflow.
2. Ventricles (Left and Right) : Pump blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients.
3. Atria (Left and Right) : Receive blood returning to the heart, pumping it into the ventricles.
4. Septum : Separates the heart’s left and right sides, preventing blood from mixing.
5. Conduction System (SA Node, AV Node, Bundle of His) : Regulates heartbeat, ensuring coordinated contractions.
Importance of Heart Component Maintenance
The physical state of these components determines the heart’s:
1. Pumping Efficiency : Ability to supply blood to the body’s tissues.
2. Cardiac Output : Amount of blood pumped per minute.
3. Blood Pressure Regulation : Ability to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
4. Oxygenation : Ability to supply oxygen to the body’s tissues.
5. Overall Cardiac Performance : Ability to function efficiently, maintaining overall health.
Just like a car engine, maintaining the heart’s physical components is crucial for optimal performance. A healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and proper medical care can help keep the heart’s components in good working order.
Even with the right fuel and clean oil, a car engine’s physical state is crucial for its performance
If the engine’s components,
are worn out, damaged, or poorly maintained, the engine won’t run smoothly, regardless of the quality of fuel and oil.
Thus the physical state of these components determines the engine’s combustion and fuel efficiency, cardiac output and overall performance.
So, it’s not just about putting in the right fuel and oil, but also maintaining the engine’s physical components to ensure optimal performance.
If we really and sincerely want to improve our heart – lungs capacity and their function, then we must understand some of the factors to work physically to improve their physical states and working mechanism to improve physiological function.
The lungs and heart are enclosed in the thoracic cavity by 12 pairs of ribs attached to thoracic spinal vertebrae ( spine) and front at chest bone, above cervical diaphragm formed by voluntary muscles and below inside with the respiratory diaphragm forming the floor of the cavity.
Air and fluid , blood always flows from a region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure, and inhalation takes place. Air continues to flow into the lungs as the pressure difference exists higher to lower.
Principal – The pressure of an air or liquid in a closed container is inversely proportional to the volume of the container ( Boyle’s law). This means that if the size or volume of the closed container( rib cage and other cavities) is increased,the pressure of the an air inside the container will decrease ( negative pressure) And if the size or volume of the container is decreased,the pressure inside will increase ( positive pressure).
To increase lung volume, for inhalation to occur, the lungs must expand through the accessory musculature of the rib cage. These are voluntary muscles and under our conscious will and command. Thus, decrease the pressure (-ve) in the lungs to below atmospheric pressure, which draws air inside the lungs. If we forcefully inhale without expansion of related musculature for expanding rib cage then this increases abnormal pressure, disturbing pressure difference and restricted movement of rib cage which brings abnormal load on our breathing centre in the brain stem which in a process definitely affects it’s working, functioning mechanism which we will not realise and this process is continuous also slowing it’s mechanism.
When the musculature of rib cage relaxes to its resting position same time while the diaphragm relaxes and elevates to its dome-shaped position in the thorax,air within the lungs is forced out of the body as the size of the thoracic cavity decreases.Thus exhalation occurs.
The most important muscle in breathing is the respiratory diaphragm. The diaphragm has its own nerve supply ( phrenic nerve), which operates as an involuntary muscle but can operate as a voluntary muscle, too. Note that it is not about controlling the breathing through the nostrils as this is a higher level of physiology, which will bring interference in brain centres. But, the movement of the respiratory diaphragm is directly related to the other two voluntary diaphragms, cervical and pelvic diaphragm, their role is to create pressure difference with smooth movement of voluntary musculature related to both shoulder and pelvic girdles and spinal column with ribcage.
One must understand that elasticity and flow of sequntial order in movement of musculature is an important factor that involves scronised movement of both girdles along with all the muscles attached to the spinal column with ribcage .
Therefore, how we work consciously on these sequntial order of natural flows of muscular architecture consistently to improve and enhance the working mechanism of organ systems is the key factor .
I’d like to draw attention to the often-ignored so called known as an accessory muscles of breathing. These voluntary muscles are vital for ventilation and breathing, creating pressure differences that facilitate airflow. They are extensively attached to the rib cage, shoulder girdle, arm, spinal column, and pelvic girdle, and include muscles such as the biceps ,triceps ,SIT , coracobrecolis, deltoid,pectoral major and minor, rhomboid, serratus anterior, trapezius, scalenus group, sternomastoid, serratus posterior group, latissimus dorsi, quadratus lumborum, and psoas major, along with muscles attached to pelvic girdle.
The elasticity and extensibility of these muscles are crucial properties that require conscious attention. Smooth movement is essential, but continued contraction in which anchoring central axis to move hands and legs can lead to stiffness and hardness, making it essential to prioritize flexibility and range of motion exercises.”
Remember, contraction is a powerful force that occurs automatically in response to various stimuli, including mental stress. It’s a strong reflex force that doesn’t require conscious effort, and it can feel comforting. However, expansion or relaxation requires more strength and effort.
Unfortunately, our bodies tend to be in a state of permanent contraction (hypertonic, hypertrophic state), leading to hardening of voluntary musculature. This can compress organs, glands, vessels, and nerves in the body cavities, including the vertebral/spinal cavities, chest, and abdominopelvic cavities.
Smooth movement of musculature is essential to allow for freedom of movement and efficient functioning of various bodily systems. For example, it enables the smooth transport of gut contents. By prioritizing relaxation and expansion, we can reduce compression and promote overall well-being
Let’s imagine the state of our soft tissues, such as organs and surrounding structures, in relation to the permanent contraction and hardening of voluntary musculature. In sonography, we can visualize the density of these soft tissues, which can provide valuable insights into their health and functioning.
It’s likely that the constant compression and squeezing of these soft tissues lead to changes in their density, potentially impacting their ability to function properly. This highlights the importance of considering the broader impact of our musculature on our overall health and well-being.”
This definitely brings obstruction to respiratory diaphragm and deep intercostal muscles . One also must understand its relationship with pelvic diaphragm and cervical diaphragm and work accordingly.
Therefore, how we work on our body to improve physical and 6 is an important factor.
How do these stiff, hard muscles allow the rib cage to move and expand in its full capacity ?
In our physical work and activities, one must learn the technique of expansion of all these muscles to improve the function of the cardiorespiratory and vascular system and along with other systems as it’s all connected physically and psychologically..
Always remember expansion needs more force energy and strength than contraction, which are also reflex and defensive action where again flexion is very strong and it is very strong before birth, i.e., knee elbow position of fetus.
How do you work on voluntary muscles?
Rib cage expansion happens from both girdles simultaneously with both hands and legs.
From pelvic girdle and sacrum/ tailbone pull paraspinal muscles along with anchoring lower end of latissimus dorsi muscle downward. Therefore, Quadratus lumborum muscle and psoas major will pull lower two ribs downward and stabilize( this helps the diaphragm to move smoothly).This allows the thoracic cavity to expand downward, and the false ribs (which are indirectly attached to lower end of chest bone with cartilage) will expand fully.
Simultaneously from shoulder girdle pectoral major and minor and Serratus ànterior along with Serratus posterior superior and inferior will allow the expansion of true ribs ( attach to chest bone). Along with neck muscles like sternocleidomastoid and Scalene group expanding upper rib cage.
Anteversion of shoulder girdle ( lifting chest bone and rolling scapula Downward) and retroversion of pelvis ( hip rolling backwards and lifting pubis with abdominal Muscles)
Extension of spine pulling from tailbone and lifting the column from head from the front.
Chain movement of the muscle flow that is the posterior group downward towards hip and front muscles flow towards heat and lifted( gravity and antigravity force). Along with rotator muscles if spinal column rotation of each consecutive vertebrae.
While working within our own body, only medium is voluntary muscular architecture. So note some of the points below.
Observe all muscular architecture , how beautifully designed attachments of muscles , and their expanse and observe their beautiful span. While working within physically, one must remove their stiffness first with the right direction of efforts . Regular , consistent, and sincere practice with understanding and dedication, you will start feeling their actual movements to get ease and energy in day to day life.
- All muscles that attach to the rib cage have the potential to increase the volume of the rib cage .Thus, expansion of ribcage three dimensionally with musculature will enhance the natural ability of lungs and heart to accommodate maximum possible oxygenated air and maximum amount of oxygenated blood to be pumped into different body parts. This process improves both suction and expulsion power. Minimum efforts and maximum benefits are essential to stop the early degeneration of tissues and lead towards replenishment and regeneration.
- Rib cage and skull is a part of central axis. Working on vertibral and skull spaces through smooth movement of musculature is essential.
- The importance of elongation of the paraspinal group of muscles for spinal extension for creating natural space in each consecutive vertebra is necessary for smooth movement of muscles related rib cages .
- One must know why and how to expand the rib cage three dimensionally ?
- Main two engines, hearts, and lungs are situated in the ribcage together, its relationship with the shoulder, and the Pelvis girdle. What efforts you have to make for the movement of related musculature is essential.
- Relationship of diaphragm with pelvic girdle.
- One must learn to move the proximal ends through conscious movement of muscles related to the shoulder girdle and rib cage with the central axis . Conscious movement of musculature architecture with their sequntial order of flow is the most important factor. This seems to be ignored because of automation and reflex action.
