Human Anatomy and Physiology - I. V. Gaivoronsky 2011

Higher Nervous Activity
Physiology of Labor

Depending on the object of activity, labor can be divided into mental and physical.

Physical labor is characterized by significant muscular exertion and requires a high expenditure of energy. A person performing heavy physical labor must consume a diet that corresponds to their Energy Expenditure.

Mental labor is characterized by sustained attention, reliance on memory, and the engagement of thinking processes. It also involves a certain degree of emotional tension, which, if allowed to accumulate, can develop into a distinct state of stress.

To achieve maximum productivity, a person must follow certain rules. Virtually all of these are aimed at preventing fatigue and overstrain.

Fatigue is defined as a decrease in working capacity caused by prolonged or intensive work. It is a normal physiological reaction of the body to any activity and is essential for training the body to adapt to various tasks. I. M. Sechenov proved that during physical work, fatigue develops first in the neural structures rather than in the Muscles, which is caused by the depletion of neurotransmitter stores in synapses. Adequate rest fully eliminates fatigue; however, if this condition is not met, overstrain occurs.

Overstrain is a cluster of persistent functional disorders in The Human Body resulting from repeatedly recurring excessive fatigue that does not disappear during rest and is detrimental to health. Overstrain leads to a sharp decline in work capacity, decreased attention and memory, and psycho-emotional disorders.

To correct the disorders caused by overstrain, professional intervention is required, along with appropriate physiotherapeutic Procedures and pharmacological agents.

The rapid onset of fatigue and overstrain can be avoided by meeting A number of conditions.

First, maximum work efficiency requires the creation of appropriate working conditions. For instance, mental labor requires optimal lighting and, ideally, the absence of distracting noise. It is also recommended to complete written tasks before oral ones, and tackle more difficult work before easier tasks.

Second, periodic rest should be taken during the working process. Rest can be active (physical exercises, sports) or passive (relaxation not involving physical activity).

Ideally, rest should involve a change of activity. For example, if a person is engaged in mental labor, it is advisable to spend their break doing various physical exercises.

Third, optimal working capacity is ensured by adhering to proper schedules of work, rest, and Nutrition. A diet tailored to energy expenditure, rich in Vitamins AND MINERALS, combined with a timely alternation of work and rest, ensures the best possible adaptation of an individual to the conditions of their daily activities.

Fourth, it is necessary to ensure an adequate duration of Sleep. Sound sleep is the key to high productivity throughout the following day.

Fifth, physical training and health-improving hardening (body toughening) help prepare the body as effectively as possible for future loads.

Review Questions

1. Define Higher Nervous Activity.

2. Characterize unconditioned and conditioned Reflexes.

3. Name the differences between the First and Second signaling systems.

4. List the Types of Higher nervous activity and provide their characteristics.

5. What is memory? What are the existing types of memory?