Muscular-Skeletal System

Understanding the Muscular-Skeletal System

• The muscular-skeletal system consists of the body’s muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
• This system allows the human body to move, provides form and stability, protects vital organs, produces heat, and stores critical minerals.

Bones and Joints

• Bones constantly adapt and remodel in response to physical activity or stress. High-impact or weight-bearing exercises like running or lifting weights encourage bone density.
• Joints are places where two bones meet. They enable movement and provide mechanical support.
• There are several types of joints, including hinge joints (like in the elbow or knee) that permit movement in one direction, and ball-and-socket joints (like in the shoulder or hip) that allow movement in multiple directions.

Muscles

• Skeletal muscles are attached to bones and produce movement by contracting in response to nervous stimulation.
• There are over 600 muscles in the human body, each with a specific function.
• Muscles have three properties that allow them to function: excitability (response to a stimulus), contractibility (capacity to contract), and extensibility (ability to stretch without damaging the muscle).

Role of Tendons and Ligaments

• Tendons connect muscle to bone. They are strong and flexible, withstanding tension while enabling movement.
• Ligaments link bone to bone, adding stability and guiding joint motion.

Effects of Exercise on the Muscular-Skeletal System

• Regular exercise strengthens muscles and bones, reducing the risk of injury and degenerative diseases like osteoporosis.
• Exercise increases muscle efficiency and endurance, contributing to improved performance in physical activities.
• Strength training promotes muscle growth and bone strength by causing microscopic damage to muscle fibres, triggering the body’s repair response.

Common Injuries and Prevention

• Common muscular-skeletal injuries include strains, sprains, and fractures. Overuse or improper technique in physical activities often cause these.
• To prevent injuries, it’s important to warm up before exercise, use proper technique, wear protective gear for relevant activities, and include strength and flexibility training in fitness routines.
• Recovery and rest are also crucial in injury prevention by allowing the body time to repair and strengthen tissues.