Answer :
Final answer:
Gymnasts extend their arms in a beam balance exercise to help maintain balance by manipulating their body's center of gravity. A complex coordination between the cerebellum and the lower motor neurons supports the muscular contraction adjustments necessary to regain original positions after shifts in balance.
Explanation:
When gymnasts perform a beam balance exercise, they extend their arms to maintain balance. This practice is related to the principle of center of gravity. The center of gravity is the point in an object (in this case, the gymnast's body) where the weight is evenly dispersed and all sides are in balance. By extending their arms, the gymnasts are manipulating their body's center of gravity to improve their balance on the beam.
There's some intricate brain and muscle coordination at play too. When the arms are extended, a signal is sent from the cerebellum, a part of your brain that coordinates voluntary movements, to the lower motor neurons (LMN), which control the basic movements of your muscles. This signal essentially tells the arm muscles to increase their contraction momentarily to overcome any shifts in balance and regain the original position.
This action, called the rebound response, serves as a constant motor process practicing an ongoing cycle of command and feedback that allows gymnasts to maintain balance even under challenging conditions on the beam.Analogously, think of how a pole vaulter maintains balance by holding the pole evenly with both hands or adjusting the grip based on the center of gravity of the pole.
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