Final answer:
Muscle contractions aid in the movement of lymph by forcing it through the vessels in one direction. One-way valves in lymphatic vessels and the contraction of smooth muscle in the thoracic vessel walls also contribute to the movement of lymph towards the heart.
Step-by-step explanation:
Muscle contraction affects the movement of lymph by helping to keep lymph moving in one direction. Contractions of skeletal muscles during body movements and breathing force lymph through the vessels.
The one-way valves in lymphatic vessels keep the lymph moving toward the heart. Additionally, the contraction of smooth muscle in the thoracic vessel walls helps to prevent lymphatic vessels from pulsing rhythmically, which keeps lymph from moving from one valved segment to the next.