Abstract
From clinical and experimental work ensues that some muscles have a distinct predilectional tendency of inhibitory manifestations (hypotonia, weakening, hypoactivation), while in other muscles we find a tendemcy of hypertonia and muscular contraction. The explanation of the development of systemically arranged muscular dysbalances is based on the existence of two muscle systems - tonic and phasic.
In the presented paper the author draws attention to the functional difference between the two systems from the aspect of the temporal sequence in posture, i.e. their postural integration. Muscles, which incline to weakening, so-called phasic muscles, are in their postural function (from the aspect of posture) from the phylogenetic and ontogenetic aspect resp. younger than muscles with a ten- dency to contractures.
As to their postural function they are also linked to the evolutionally younger skeletal morphology, and at the same time they condition its development. In addition to the systemic pattern of dysbalances of muscles with an older and younger postural function there exists also systematized chaining between local changes of muscular tension, i.e. between trigger points.
Their development can be hypothetically assumed on the basis of control of nociception. For the stereotypy of their pattern the crucial problem seems to be the problem of muscular loops.
In our approach it is the basis for assessment of muscular linkage and thus for systematization of the pattern of trigger points, kinesiology of postural ontogenesis and its relation to the program of the locomotor pattern. By including the function of muscles into the program of the locomotor model it is possible to define a new view on the arrangement of muscle chains and thus systematize the reflex interconnection of trigger points.
In the given context we speak of protective postural patterns.