Neuromuscular Junction Essay

“Today, it is common knowledge that exercise is the equivalent of a drug that prevents and treats cardiovascular disease (1).” Therefore, it is essential that individuals strive to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. In today’s society, the end goal of exercise is often physical attractiveness rather than bodily health. The media is oversaturated with unrealistic ideals that push people to work towards dangerously low body weights. These ideals, however can only offer temporary satisfaction. The process of aging occurs in all individuals, regardless of fitness level. Physical attractiveness

For example many people will show an improvement in strength from the first session to the second session. This improvement is due to CNS adaptation because there is no hypertrophic gain during this short period. Another example which proves the importance of CNS adaptations related to strength gains is that strength performance may increase by 30% while hypertrophic gains may only be 15%, thus half of the strength gains is attributable to CNS adaptations. Generally in the first few months of strength training CNS adaptations account for a larger percentage of the strength gain than hypertrophic adaptations. To illustrate the importance of CNS adaptations in the early part of training, it should be noted that electrical stimulation can increase the rate of strength gains. Hypertrophy is an important factor in improved strength performance. Strength training brings about an increase in the size and number of myofibrils. It is speculated that during and following a high intensity strength training session the neuroendocrine responses will bring about an increased amino acid uptake and will increase the rate of protein synthesis. Optimal hypertrophic gains require adequate recovery between workouts to permit the rate of protein synthesis to exceed the rate of protein degradation. It should also be noted that strength training also stimulates bone and

Our body has three muscle types, skeletal muscle , cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle. Each muscle has different functions within the body. Cardiac muscle is located in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood within the heart. Cardiac muscle is one of the two muscles with an activity that is non-voluntary meaning that signal from the motor neuron is not required for blood to pump through the heart. The second type of muscle is smooth muscle which is located in the intestines and responsible for moving food and regulating blood pressure(Freeman, 2011). Like cardiac muscle, smooth muscle also requires non-voluntary activity, where the signal from the motor neurons is not required for it to function properly. Lastly, the most important muscle in the neuromuscular junction, skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscle is attached to the bones through tendons composed of connective tissue and is responsible for moving the skeleton, however unlike the other two muscle types, skeletal muscle requires voluntary activity meaning that signal from the motor neurons is required (Ritchison, 2016). In this paper, I will be discussing the functions and parts of the neuromuscular

The first study describing the effect of exercise on the Hsp70 protein and mRNA content was conducted by Puntschart

The muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organ are fundamental to the control of muscle length and tone. Any disturbance in the activity of these receptors may occur through shortened muscle length, intense work exercise and exercise to fatigue. This will likely result in an increase of motor neuron activity and motor unit recruitment. The relaxation phase of a muscle contraction is prolonged in a fatigued muscle, raising the likelihood of fused summation of action potentials if motor neuron activity muscle spindle and motor neuron activity by reflex inhabitation and afferent stimulation (Bentley, S, 1996). It has been documented that fatigue increases the afferent activity of the muscle spindle and decreases afferent activity of the Golgi tendon organ which, then may result in an increased alpha motor neuron activity. The uncontrolled firing of neurons on the muscle and the reduced relaxation of the muscle fibers leads to cramps (Schwellnus MP, 2010).

Similarly, however, the brain benefits from lifting weights in general. In “Lifting Weights, Twice a Week, May Aid the Brain,” an article discussing the relativity of weight lifting on the brain, Gretchen Reynolds suggests that resistance training is important to delaying the vulnerability of the brain with time. Reynolds reviews statistics that support exercise in slowing the process of lesions in the brain of white matter (which is the material that connects and passes messages between different brain regions). Because time ultimately catches up with us, Reynolds contemplates the effect that lifting weights has on the brain, as it does the muscles of the body, in order to demonstrate that importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The article says that “a minimum threshold of exercise needs to be achieved” as a way to gain the attention of the older

As humans grow older, both muscle mass and bone density decrease. This deterioration of muscle mass, also known as sarcopenia, is often accompanied by a loss of function and strength. This significant loss of muscle that occurs with aging can impair functional ability for the elder population, which can include everyday tasks such as opening a jar, walking down stairs, or bending down to pick an item up. The most practical approach to combat deteriorated muscles is to incorporate some type of strength or resistance training into the daily schedule. One of the strength methods tested was explosive-type heavy resistance training, which may alter kinetics and neuromuscular activity during stair ascent in elderly women (Holsgaard-Larsen, Caserotti,

There is ample evidence to demonstrate that through the normal ageing process alterations to the brain in structure and function are directly related to cognitive changes (Glisky, 2007). With an increasing ageing population strategies for prevention of disease and age related cognitive decline are necessary to improve quality of life and reduce the associated healthcare costs (Australian Government Productivity Commission [AGPC], 2013). Physical exercise is known to be crucial in maintaining physiological health; it can also be used as a means of neuroprotection and assist in modifiable risk factors for improved brain health and subsequent cognitive function. This review will critically analyse current research into the effects of exercise

You CAN grow younger and one of the best anti-aging action steps is exercise. But 'use it or lose it' doesn't apply only to muscle fitness or sex. It also applies to the brain.

During the normal aging process cerebral blood flow decreases almost 50%, this decrease reflects an overall decrease in global perfusion, which leads to cerebral atrophy. Cognitive impairment most commonly occurs in patients with cardiovascular disease; individuals with a sedentary lifestyle show a decrease in neuronal plasticity and learning. Subsequently aerobic exercise actually reduces the amount of brain tissue loss, increases memory function and increases gray matter volume in prefrontal areas. In another study men who participated in endurance exercise had increased cerebral blood flow of the middle cerebral artery, which results in lower cerebrovascular risk factors in physically active elderly individuals, providing a protective mechanism against cerebral atrophy (Wiggens, Simovance).

Sarcopenia can be defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and function (Waters, Baumgartner & Garry 2000; Vandervoort & Symons 2001). Although there is no specific level of lean body mass or muscle mass at which one can say sarcopenia is present (Roubenoff 2001), any loss of muscle mass is of importance because there is a strong relationship between muscle mass and strength (Roth, Ferrell & Hurley 2000). Sarcopenia appears to begin in the fourth decade of life and accelerates after the age of approximately 75 years (Waters, Baumgartner & Garry 2000). With aging and inactivity, the most atrophy is seen in the fast twitch (FT) fibers which are recruited during high-intensity, anaerobic movements. Although sarcopenia is mostly seen in physically inactive individuals, it is also evident in individuals who remain physically active throughout their lives. This finding suggests that physical inactivity is not the only contributing factor to sarcopenia. Current research is finding that the development of sarcopenia is a multifactorial process. Many factors, including physical inactivity, motor-unit remodeling, decreased hormone levels, and decreased protein synthesis, may all contribute to sarcopenia. Fortunately, sarcopenia is partly reversible with appropriate exercise interventions. This article will focus on the current perspectives of sarcopenia and conclude with the importance of resistance training in preventing it.

Evidence has shown that physical training induce hypertrophy and improved stiffness of human tendons (Kongsgaard et al., 2005; Kongsgaard et al., 2007). Tendons exhibit increased cross-sectional area and tensile strength, and tendon fibroblasts increase the production of collagen type I as a result of appropriate physical training (Wang, 2006).

The more muscle fibers recruited for an exercise the greater the extent of potential remodeling process in the whole muscle.

Although this article focused more on older people, it is still contained some important informations that is applicable to all. The article explored some ways resistance exercises can help adults fight the battle of strength and muscle loss that comes with age. Through progressive resistance training can help you maintain flexibility and balance, which can help you remain independent as you age.Adults can improve their ability to stand up out of a chair walk across the floor, climb a flight of stairs -- anything that requires manipulating their own body mass through a full range of motions. Last but not least, This kind of training may help reduce or prevent cognitive decline in older people. For those above the age of 50, it recommends

The philosopher Plato (427-347 BC) said: “Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it” (Vina, Sanchis‐Gomar, Martinez‐Bello, & Gomez‐Cabrera, 2012, p. 2). Exercise has several benefits; it enhances the overall health of a person. It is important for strengthening the muscles, building bones, and maintaining a healthy weight. Besides, humans are not becoming any younger each day. Moreover, scientists and researchers discover new diseases, illnesses and disorders that could potentially be fatal for a human’s body, which can lead to death. Thus, the purpose of this essay is to analyze the effects of exercise and focus on three factors: pain, ability to learn, and chronic medical condition. People need to maintain a healthy body because as time goes by the body starts to deteriorate, and it loses its original form. However, age should not be a hindrance if a person wants to change his/her lifestyle to stay healthy. Evidence has shown that exercise is beneficial for improving pain, enhances the ability to learn, and has a long-term benefit in preventing chronic medical conditions. This paper will discuss the impact of exercise on improving pain, the effects of exercise in relation to the ability to learn, and exploring the interrelationship of exercise and chronic medical conditions.