Body Systems in Motion: How Exercise Can Positively Shape Your Physiology
The Impact of Exercise on Body Systems:
SKELETAL SYSTEM :
Exercise has a positive impact on the skeletal system. When mechanical stress is applied to bones, they respond by improving their condition. This leads to the deposition of more mineral salts and the production of more collagenous fibers. Weight lifters, who experience more mechanical stress, have been found to have greater bone density compared to endurance athletes. Regular exercise helps maintain healthy bones and makes them stronger, reducing the risk of fractures, especially those caused by falls.
- Bone responds to mechanical stress hence the condition of bone can be improved. Where this mechanical stress is applied more mineral salts are deposited and more collagenous fibers are produced.
- Greater bone density observed in weight lifters than in endurance athletes.
- Maintain healthy bones.
- Bone is a living tissue responds to exercise by becoming stronger.
- Exercise helps prevent fall and fall related fractures.
- Strengthen bones.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS:
Exercise has numerous benefits for the cardiovascular system. It increases the supply of blood vessels to the heart, which helps lower blood pressure levels. Regular exercise also leads to a lower resting heart rate and cholesterol level, reducing the risk of heart diseases. Additionally, the time taken for the heart rate to return to normal after physical activity is reduced. Exercise also improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to working muscles by increasing the network of capillaries in the muscles.
- Increase in supply of blood vessels to heart
- Lower blood pressure levels, resting heart rate, cholesterol level.
- Lowers risk of heart diseases.
- Time taken to return to normal heart rate post any activity is reduced.
- Increase in supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients to working muscle as the network of capillaries in a muscle will have increased.
NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEMS :
Exercise has a positive impact on the neurological system. It improves coordination, reaction time, and response speed. During rehabilitation, it is beneficial to work the uninjured side as well because the voluntary muscle system works in pairs. Regular exercise also increases reflex action and timing. The neurological system can be trained and improved through repetitive exercise and progressive overload.
- Good co-ordination.
- Quicker reaction.
- Faster response.
- While undergoing rehab it is beneficial to work the uninjured side as well because voluntary muscle system work under pairs.
- Increase in reflex action and timing.
- Neurological system can be trained and improved by repetitive exercise.
- Progressive overload.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM :
The respiratory muscles play a major role in posture and human movement. Exercise improves circulation and can be measured using VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilize during intense exercise. Teaching athletes proper breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, can help prevent various conditions like altered carbon dioxide and oxygen content, feelings of anxiety, retention of metabolic waste, and restricted and stiff joints. It can also alleviate symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and poor sleeping patterns.
- Respiratory muscles play a major role in posture in human movement system.
- Improve circulation.
vo2 max is the best way to know our respiratory health
vo2 max =Q * a – vo2
Q = HR * SV (HR = Heart Rate ) (SV = EDV – ESV ) SV = stroke volume
EDV = end diastolic volume
Teaching athlete proper breathing through diaphragm can help avert many conditions like:
- Altered carbon di oxide and oxygen blood content
- Feelings of anxiety
- Retention of metabolic waste
- Restricted and stiff joints
- Headache, fatigue, poor sleeping patterns
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM :
Regular exercise has a profound effect on our digestive system. It helps to suppress our appetite, making it easier to maintain a healthy diet. Additionally, exercise increases our metabolism, allowing our bodies to efficiently process the nutrients we consume. This increased metabolic rate also leads to improved blood flow within the digestive system, ensuring optimal nutrient absorption. Furthermore, exercise promotes a balanced and diverse gut microbiome, which is essential for overall digestive health. Lastly, engaging in physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, commonly known as “feel-good” hormones, which can contribute to a positive mood and overall well-being.
- Quells appetite
- Increase metabolism
- Increases the blood flow in digestive system
- Balance of gut bacteria
- Increase in endorphins
MUSCULAR SYSTEMS :
Exercise plays a vital role in strengthening and sculpting our muscles. Through regular physical activity, we can achieve muscle hypertrophy, which refers to the growth and enlargement of muscle fibers. This not only enhances our physical appearance but also improves our overall strength and endurance. Moreover, exercise helps to fortify our tendons, the connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, reducing the risk of injuries. Similarly, it increases the strength of our ligaments, which connect bones to other bones, providing stability and support to our joints. By engaging in targeted exercises, we can shape and tone our muscles, achieving a more defined and aesthetically pleasing physique. Additionally, exercise contributes to maintaining correct body posture, preventing postural imbalances and related discomfort.
- Muscle hypertrophy
- Increased strength of tendons
- Increases the strength of ligaments
- Strengthens muscle
- Change in shape of muscle
- Correct body posture