What is the function of muscles?
Written by Jean Mari A. Rojas
Reviewed by Dr. Reuben J C. Los Baños, Ph.D.
The term muscles came from the Latin word mus, which means “little mouse.” The naming of the term is because of how flexing muscles look like scurrying mice beneath the skin.
There are three types of muscles:
- Skeletal muscles.
- Smooth muscles.
- Cardiac muscles.
Some muscles line the heart (cardiac muscles) and other hollow organs (smooth muscles). Both of these muscles have involuntary movement.
Muscles make up most of our body mass, with 600 forces making up the entire muscular system. The muscular system combines with other body systems to achieve many functions.
The primary functions of the muscular system are contractibility and movement.
The muscular system’s primary function is contractibility. With this unique function, muscles are now responsible for almost all body movement. An exception to this is cilia, flagellum on sperm cells, and activity of some white cells.
A combination of skeletal muscles, joints, and bones produces visible motions. These actions include walking and running.
- It helps in creating a quick response to our environment.
- Skeletal muscles also generate more subtle movements. These movements include facial expressions, eye movements, eating, and breathing.
Smooth and cardiac muscles work together to ease movement in the blood vessels and heart.
- They work together to maintain blood pressure and circulate blood to the parts of the body.
Other functions of the muscular system include:
- Maintain posture and body position. It helps keep the body upright, erect, and in the correct position when standing or sitting.
- Skeletal muscles also help in stabilizing joints. Muscle tendons stretch over joints and contribute to their stability.
- Muscle activity generates heat as a byproduct. This byproduct is essential in maintaining average body temperature. Almost 85% of the heat generated is from muscle contraction. When it is cold, our muscular system will increase movement to increase heat production. This movement is shivering. Blood vessels, lined with smooth muscles, also contract to maintain body heat.
Other functions: Organ protection, vision, urination, digestion, and respiration.
How are muscles made in the body?
Myogenesis is the production of muscle tissue from stem cells. It gets produced in the mesoderm during embryonic development. Myoblasts fuse into multinucleated fibers termed myotubes to create muscle fibers. Suppose adequate fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is available during early embryonic development. The myoblasts multiply.
Muscle formation comes with three stages:
- Myoblasts fuse into multinucleated fibers termed myotubes to create muscle fibers.
In early embryonic development, these myoblasts proliferate. But only if enough fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is present. When the FGF runs out, the myoblasts stop division.
It also secretes fibronectin onto its extracellular matrix.
- Myoblasts align into the myotubes.
- Cell fusion itself.
Calcium ions are critical for development. Myocyte Enhance Factors (MEFs) that promote myogenesis. Serum Response Factor (SRF) plays a central role during myogenesis. It requires the SRF to express striated alpha-actin genes. The expression gets regulated by the androgen receptor.
It means its steroids can control myogenesis.
Muscular hypertrophy refers to the expansion and development of muscle cells. It refers to a muscle size expansion that occurs as a result of training. Toning or improving muscular definition by lifting weights during exercises increases hypertrophy.
There are three Mechanisms for developing muscular hypertrophy:
- MECHANICAL TENSION
It uses heavy load and performs exercises through a full range of motion. It considers the time the muscle spends under tension provided by the external load (barbell, dumbbell, etc.). The more time spent with the haul, the more mechanical tension gets produced.
But, tension alone won’t result in maximal muscle growth. It has to go into a full range of motion.
- MUSCULAR DAMAGE
DOMs (Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness) result from micro-tearing of the muscle due to damage. It gets sustained during resistance training, coming from eccentric and concentric contractions.
The initiation of muscular injury stimulates mTOR pathways, which then trigger protein synthesis. It is here that the rebuilding of the damaged muscle begins.
- METABOLIC STRESS
‘the burn’ or ‘the pump’ repetitions. It is getting into higher repetitions and taking short breaks intervals. It creates a continuous contracting and relaxing of the muscles. It results in a blood pooling effect that makes muscular (cell) swelling. It causes a restriction in blood supply to the muscle and a shortage of oxygenated blood. It results in less oxygen to feed the body during contractions.
It causes a massive build-up of metabolites such as lactate and hydrogen ions. The anabolic impact of the metabolic stress put on the muscles leads to molecular signaling. It also increases the body’s hormonal response.
Why is protein essential for muscle?
The human body consists of about 5 to 6 kilograms of muscle protein. Protein is the building block of our muscular system.
Your body requires protein to stay healthy. Its general function is to:
- Blood carries energy and oxygen throughout your body
- Help create antibodies that fight off infections and illnesses
- Help keep cells healthy and make new ones.
Strength training activity stimulates the process of muscle protein synthesis (MPS). But, it gets enabled when you eat protein. Eating the right amounts of protein will help maintain muscle mass and muscle growth.
The amino acid leucine is abundant in “fast-digesting” proteins. It aids in the stimulation of MPS. Slow digesting proteins, such as those found in eggs and milk may help in slowing down the MPS process.
Eating reasonable amounts of protein help increase muscular strength and mass. So in trying to gain muscles and be active, make sure always to have enough protein. Also, keeping the protein intake high will prevent muscle loss during the weight loss attempts.
Best sources of protein:
High-quality sources of protein include:
- Fish, Poultry, Beef, or pork
- Tofu
- Eggs
- Dairy products
Plant-based sources include:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Legumes, like beans, peas, or lentils
- Grains, like wheat, rice, or corn
What is the largest muscle of the body?
The gluteus maximus is the largest and heaviest muscle in the human body. It is the gluteal muscles’ most superficial muscle. It makes it the enormous muscle at the hip, representing 16% of the total cross-sectional area.
Gluteal muscles:
- Gluteus Maximus
- Gluteus Medius
- Gluteus Minimus
The origins of the gluteus maximus are:
- Posterior gluteal line of the ilium;
- The posterior surface of the lower part of the sacrum;
- Side of the coccyx;
- Aponeurosis of erector spinae;
- Sacrotuberous ligament;
- Gluteal aponeurosis;
- Attaches to thoracolumbar and its associated raphe
The insertions of the gluteus maximus are:
- The enormous proximal part inserts into the Iliotibial tract. It forms the majority of the fibers.
- The other fibers insert into the linea aspera of the femur.
- The aponeurosis joins to the femur’s gluteal tuberosity.
Because of its large size, Gluteus Maximus can exert a lot of force. As one of the muscles stretching the hip joint, it also helps maintain an erect posture. The Gluteus Maximus’ primary function is to extend and rotate the hip joint to the side. Upper fibers can abduct the hip while the lower fibers can adduct it.
The Gluteus maximus and the hamstrings work in conjunction to produce different movements:
- Extending the trunk from a flexed position by pulling the pelvis backward;
- Bending forward;
- Superior fibers of the gluteus maximus extend the knee
Gluteus maximus has stability roles:
- Maintaining upright posture;
- Supporting of the lateral knee;
- Abducting of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot
Other functions include:
- self bracing mechanisms;
- supporting body weight while sitting;
- The quadriceps femoris can get weak or paralyzed. The gluteus maximus can get trained to produce functional knee extension.
A bruise to the gluteal region is the gluteal contusion. Some get anticoagulated or on blood thinners. Large amounts of bleeding can occur within and around the muscle. It can cause severe pain and swelling. Trauma causes the most gluteal injuries, either by fall or a direct hit to the area.
While a gluteal muscle strain occurs when a muscle or tendon gets stretched or in part torn. Overuse injuries are the leading cause of gluteal muscular strain. It can result in inflammation and damage to the muscular system.
The most common injuries experienced by athletes are gluteal tendinopathies. It stems from overtraining in squats and weightlifting. Inflammation of the hip and gluteus is a common running injury.
What is the smallest muscle in the body?
The stapedius muscle is the smallest in the human body, approximately 6 mm in length. Its location is in the middle ear’s tympanic cavity. It controls the vibration of the body’s smallest bone or known as the stirrup bone.
The origin of the stapedius: Pyramidal eminence of the tympanic cavity.
The insertion of the stapedius: Neck of stapes.
Although it is the tiniest skeletal muscle, the stapedius has a vital role in sound transmission and hearing. It’s the acoustic middle ear reflex’s effector component.
The sound threshold of a healthy person with normal hearing is around 85 dB. Vocalization-induced stapedius reflex reduces sound intensities. It reaches the inner ear by about 20 decibels.
The primary function of the stapedius is to protect the inner ear from loud noises. The facial nerve’s stapedial branch innervates the stapedius muscle. These autonomic fibers allow the muscle to take part in the auditory middle ear reflex. It protects the auditory system.
Hyperacusis is a condition that causes normal sounds to get perceived as loud noises. This condition results from the paralysis of the stapedius. It allows wider oscillation of the stapes. It heightens the reaction of the auditory ossicles to sound vibrations, causing hyperacusis.
Paralysis of the stapedius. It results when the nerve to the stapedius, a branch of the facial nerve, or its entirety, gets damaged. Example cases are Bell’s palsy, a unilateral paralysis of the facial nerve. Where the stapedius gets paralyzed, and hyperacusis may result.
Do muscles need oxygen?
Much like every other cell and organ of the body, the muscular system needs oxygen to function.
Oxygen gets carried via red blood cells, where it binds to a protein called hemoglobin. The heart pumps the red blood cells to the parts of the body. Afterward, the release of oxygen into the cells occurs. Oxygen then gets used for breaking down molecules.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is fuel for the muscles. It is a molecule that is the primary energy source to keep our body functioning. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) gets produced as a result.
Whether exercising or not, oxygen gets used to breaking down glucose. And glucose creates ATP. This process of breaking down glucose is aerobic metabolism, which requires oxygen.
Muscles need the energy to produce contractions. It gets derived from the ATP that is present.
When you exercise, your muscles consume more oxygen:
- Your heart rate and breathing rate rise, drawing more oxygen into the circulation. It results in the increased production of ATP;
- Increased heart rate and breathing to remove the amount of carbon dioxide generated
Energy can also get produced by anaerobic metabolism, a process that does not need oxygen. When your body lacks oxygen or your other systems can’t get enough oxygen to your muscles, your body will go into anaerobic metabolism. The muscles will convert the glucose you have to into lactic acid. During an intense workout, this is when your performance begins to deteriorate. Deterioration and fatigue will make you feel weary.
Researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute discovered about oxygen-sensitive enzyme FIH (Factor Inhibiting HIF). FIH’s role is crucial in transitioning from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. According to the investigators, FIH will ensure that the muscles maintain aerobic metabolism for as long as possible. It will continue to be efficient in using oxygen before transitioning to anaerobic metabolism.
After exercising, your body will be in oxygen debt. It is necessary to refill debts and replenish the oxygen in your bloodstream. Cool-down exercises are essential for replenishing oxygen levels. Afterward, consume a protein-filled snack to replace your body’s glycogen storage.
Your body’s ATP levels get restored by combining oxygen and glycogen. It also aids the liver, kidneys, and muscles in the breakdown of lactic acid.
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Crystal R. Cassidy
MT 30 – AA
April 3, 2024
From the article, I learned about the different types of muscles, which are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles, and their functions. These muscles help us move and keep our bodies upright. The article also explains how muscles form during development and how they grow bigger with exercise, especially when we eat enough protein. Additionally, I learned about the biggest muscle (the gluteus maximus) and the smallest muscle in our body (the stapedius) and what they do. Lastly, I also learned about why oxygen is super important for our muscles during exercise and how we can recover after exercise.
Eojjann Tuñacao
BSMT II | MT 30 (LEC) – AA
April 03, 2024
A year ago, in our Anatomy and Physiology class, I was always intrigued by muscles. All the time, whenever I see photos or real-life examples of how a muscle looks, I associate it with movement and contraction. It may not look surprising, but the reddish-pink hue of muscle tissues always caught my attention, and it never fails to amaze me how this element comprises our body.
Like epithelial tissues that I have previously read, muscle tissues are also the type of tissue that I have encountered more than ten times already throughout my academic journey. I knew about muscle tissues like the back of my hand. The thing with muscle tissue, which is also mentioned in this article, is that it makes up most of our body mass. As an outcome of its prevalence in our bodies, muscle tissue plays an important role in establishing the entirety of our weight and composition. If I were to mention what I have learned, it is how muscle tissues not only take up their role as agents for locomotion and contraction. They also play their part in maintaining posture, stabilizing joints (skeletal muscle), and acting as a generator of heat as a by-product, which is something I have never encountered before. Among the three, I will be sharing what I have deduced to be the principle of the last function since it only occurred to me now how muscles generate 85% of the heat that we use for our body temperature via their repeated contractions. This concept underlines the importance of giving vitality to our muscles since it offers or lends us a hand in governing our internal body systems. Setting priorities for muscle strength becomes essential for promoting overall well-being.
Moreover, as curious as I am about muscles, it never came to my attention until now to know how and what muscles are made up of. With the help of this posted article, I have learned that it is through the process of myogenesis. I have comprehended how myogenesis happens in the mesoderm throughout embryonic development. Myoblasts merge to produce multinucleated fibers known as myotubes, which eventually transform into muscle fibers. Attaining this information added to the list of things that made me more educated about muscle tissues. In totality, it all boils down to clearing the haze of how muscles or muscle tissues do not only possess limited functionality, like only one or two. It can also be as diverse as it is, and by enriching our knowledge about muscles, it offers a broader perspective of how we see it as belonging to the four basic tissue types.
Marinella F. Boltron
BSMT-II
MT30 (LAB) – B
Muscles, with its three types, skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles, enable our bodies to move and perform various activities such as walking, running, dancing, and playing sports. The skeletal muscles are in a voluntary control that allows mobility. Meanwhile, smooth muscles are found in the walls of hollow organs such as the intestine and blood vessels, enforcing involuntary movements. And the cardiac muscles drive the pumping action of the heart for blood circulation to take place. Moreover, our responses to the changing environment are facilitated by the muscles. For instance, when it is cold, we shiver as the muscles increase their movement to generate more heat and regulate the body’s temperature.
A proper diet with sufficient protein intake is essential for muscle development and function. These proteins are important in building fibers for muscle growth, repair after injury or vigorous activity, maintenance even during rest, providing alternative energy when needed, and in regulating muscle contractions. This nutrient is much more required for people who constantly engage in highly active routines or strength training.
Moreover, it’s a good idea to still present information about the muscles’ involvement in both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism because even if this is already learned repetitively, we should still leave space for rediscovery of such beautiful processes. It’s amazing to think how muscles can still be able to adjust with the lack of oxygen. Additionally, the continuous progression of scientific experimentations has really made an impact on education and health-allied fields. The findings about the oxygen-sensitive enzyme (Factor Inhibiting FIH) provided another substantial angle of learning the biochemical aspect of muscles.
Looking forward to more scientific discoveries about this topic!
Kylemaxinne Panzo
MT 30 – AA
April 3, 2024
Muscles are known by everyone to be associated with movement, and we basically have this mindset of: bigger muscles = stronger body. It’s fascinating how our muscles can be as big as the gluteus maximus at the hip and as small as the stapedius muscle in the ear. But there are actually different types of muscles that have various functions in our body, like how the aforementioned muscles are responsible for moving the hip joint and protecting us from loud noises respectively. The type of muscles that most of general population are familiar with are the skeletal muscles, muscles attached to our skeleton or bones. They are voluntary muscles that we can control unlike the other two types, the smooth and cardiac muscles which is involved in the involuntary movement such as in the heart, blood vessels, and intestines. All these muscles come from the process of Myogenesis and I learned from this article that protein is the building block of the muscular system, which is why bodybuilders follow a protein-rich diet. I also learned that the principle of the movement by our muscles is in its ability to contract. And for contractions to happen, we need ATP which we can get from oxygen. So in order for our body to keep moving, we need to sustain the nutrients in our body, especially oxygen, by eating healthy.
Princess Niña M. Millor
BMT – II | MT 30 (LEC) – AA
April 3, 2024
I have learned in almost all our major subjects the role of muscles in our lives. However, up until today, it is still notable to learn what are muscle and its functions. In this article, I learned how muscles are built, fueled, and how they work together to keep us moving. I learned about the three main muscle types – skeletal, smooth, and cardiac – each with a unique role. The article mentioned the process of muscle formation, highlighting the importance of fibroblast growth factor in development. It made me understand the complexity and science behind muscle growth, explaining how factors like weight training, controlled muscle damage, and metabolic stress all contribute to building bigger muscles.
Protein is a key takeaway. I learned how this nutrient acts as the building block for muscles, and why consuming enough protein, especially after exercise, is crucial for repair and growth. Personally, when I work out, I always do my best to consume enough protein in my body to help me in my muscle repair and growth. It is also important that when you work out or go to the gym, you know how muscles work in order to know what to do to grow it, you know what exercise to hit a specific muscle, and such. I also learned how muscles rely on oxygen for energy production, and how limited oxygen during exercise leads to fatigue.
It is important to take care of our muscles through exercise and proper protein intake to keep them functioning optimally.
Francheska D. Badon
BSMT – II | MT 30 (LEC) – AA
April 3, 2024
I think it’s common student knowledge that muscles are complex and intricate as we have to take noted of the different types, functions, and characteristics that distinguishes them from each other. Moreover, I’ve realized that muscles are dynamic entities that are essential for movement and physical function, rather than just bundles of tissue as if I were untangling the threads of a finely woven tapestry. Muscles coordinate precise movements, like the pulleys and gears of a well-oiled machine; this is evident in everything from the heart’s rhythmic beat to the flex of a bicep.
Muscles give us stability and support, much like the foundation of a strong building, making it easy for us to keep our balance and posture. Muscle fibers can also be compared to the strings of a well-tuned instrument, highlighting their versatility and responsiveness. In addition, muscles are remarkably adaptable to different physiological needs, much like a great musician may alter the tension of their strings to achieve optimal performance. Hence, with this enhanced knowledge, I’m motivated to learn more about the intricacies and wonders of muscle function, as well as the significant effects it has on human health and well-being.
Jessa Belle T. Cabataña
BSMT- II
MT 30 (LEC)- AA
April 3, 2024
The article brings me back to my Anatomy and Physiology and Biochemistry class. Also, I did not expect how the word “muscle” is made because its meaning in Latin which is little mouse is quite a far concept from the muscles. But, I find it unique because how the muscles flexes beneath our skin is associated with mice’s hasten movements. Our muscles are distributed almost in our body and it coordinates well with other organ systems to carry out many functions. Its main functions involve movement and contraction. These functions really help us on our daily basis like walking, running, facial expressions, eye movements, eating, and breathing.
Muscles are very essential in our body. In every movement, muscles are always involved. It helps us to adjust or adapt to our environment. Protein plays a significant role in our muscular system as its building block. It is also important in our body to strengthen our muscles and keep us healthy that is why eating foods rich in protein is highly encouraged.
Bea Niezel T. Masayon
MT30 (LEC)- AA
April 3, 2024
First of all, learning about the origins of the word “muscles” and the distinctions between the three categories of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac, has increased my comprehension of anatomical terms and the variety of muscle tissue in the body. Understanding the voluntary contractions of cardiac and smooth muscles, especially about preserving essential physiological processes like blood circulation, has demonstrated the dependent nature of several physiological systems.
Studying the mechanisms behind myogenesis and the processes leading to muscular hypertrophy has improved my comprehension of how muscles grow and change in response to different stimuli, including training and exercise. Moreover, the role of protein in muscle health and function has emphasized the role that nutrition plays in promoting the development and maintenance of muscle. Finally, knowledge of concepts like oxygen debt and anaerobic metabolism has helped to clarify the physiological mechanisms involved in exercise-related and post-exercise physiological processes.
Cliantha Marielle S. Asonan
MT 30 – AA
Activity for April 3, 2024
This article is very informative! I learned many things about muscular tissues and their different types and functions in the body. I learned that there are only three types of muscle — the skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles — which all work in different ways in our body. Altogether, they help maintain body posture, stabilize joints, and generate heat as they are energy-consuming. I have also learned about how muscles are made as well as muscular hypertrophy, all of which I did not know about previously. I learned that there are three instances that encourage the expansion and development of muscle cells, which are mechanical tension, muscular damage, and metabolic stress.
Through this article, I also learned about the function, origin, and insertions of the gluteus maximus, which is the largest muscle in the body, as well as the smallest muscle in the body, which is the stapedius muscle in the middle ear. Despite being the smallest muscle, it amazingly serves an important role in the protection of our inner ear from loud noises.
Finally, I learned that as tissues that are in constant movement, muscle tissues consume massive amounts of energy. Thus, they need a lot of adenosine triphosphate, which in turn requires a lot of oxygen and glucose intake for its production. When the oxygen level is depleted in circumstances like performing intense and heavy exercises, our body amazingly shifts from aerobic respiration to anaerobic metabolism of glucose to provide enough ATP and produce lactic acid. Cooling down is therefore important to replenish the oxygen levels in our body after intense workouts.
Alvin Antoine Angelicus J. Jucom
MT 30 – AA
Activity for April 3, 2024
From this article I would say that the cornerstone of muscle function would be oxygen utilization. It’s fascinating to delve into how muscles rely on oxygen to generate energy for contractions, primarily through ATP production. Muscles also undergo aerobic and anaerobic metabolism processes for energy, especially the role played by the oxygen-sensitive enzyme FIH in maintaining efficient aerobic metabolism.
One aspect that stood out was the concept of oxygen debt post-exercise. The body needs to replenish oxygen levels through appropriate cool-down exercises and protein consumption to facilitate ATP restoration and lactic acid breakdown. This is why it is important to have post-exercise recovery even simply by resting for optimizing muscle performance in the next exertion of muscles.
Moving on to muscle injuries, it was intriguing to learn about the functions and common injuries associated with the gluteus maximus muscle, especially those frequently encountered by athletes like contusions, strains, and tendinopathies. Additionally, the stapedius muscle, though it is the body’s smallest muscle, safeguards hearing function and facilitating sound transmission. This greatly shows how interconnected our muscle health is with our overall wellbeing.
Moreover, the article likewise tackles on muscle physiology, including the diverse muscle types (skeletal, smooth, cardiac) and their distinct functions. The process of myogenesis is highly essential for muscle formation, and muscular hypertrophy mechanisms largely involve mechanical tension, muscular damage, and metabolic stress.
Lastly, protein plays a pivotal role in promoting muscle health and growth. The sources and benefits of protein intake indicates the importance of a balanced diet in supporting muscle function and recovery.
Indeed, understanding muscle physiology makes us more aware of the implications of the actions we make for our bodies such that we can better our overall health and performance.
Gwyneth Mae A. Kadile
MT 30 (LEC) – AA
Activity for April 3, 2024
This article comprehensively explains muscles, which are the building blocks that enable our bodies to move. It sheds light on the three main types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Each plays a specific role, from the beating of our hearts (cardiac) to the movement of our eyes (skeletal) and the propulsion of food through our digestive system (smooth).
What I learned from the article is the fascinating features of muscles. For example, the gluteus maximus is the body’s powerhouse, responsible for extending the hip and maintaining posture. In contrast, the stapedius muscle, a mere 6millimeters long, resides in the middle ear and protects our inner ear from loud noises by dampening sound vibrations.
Beyond movement, muscles are essential for maintaining body temperature, stabilizing joints, and even vision. To elaborate, muscle contractions generate heat, a vital function in regulating body temperature. They also provide structural support for bones and joints, ensuring proper posture and stability. Additionally, specific muscles, like those controlling eye movement, enable essential functions beyond locomotion. The article also mentions myogenesis, the process by which stem cells transform into muscle fibers. I have also learned about the importance of protein as a building block for muscle tissue. It emphasizes how sufficient protein intake is crucial for maintaining and building muscle mass. Overall, muscles have diverse functionalities and intricate development.
Mariella Felisse Cubero
MT 30 (Lec) – AA
The muscle tissue is the most interesting type of tissue for me because of its wide array of functions. Unlike epithelial and connective tissues whose subtypes typically circle back to the main function of the tissue, the muscle tissue types are more individualized, for me at least. It’s so fascinating that some of them can and cannot be controlled, and it’s so interesting to learn how everything works in the chemical aspect. If I were to pick a favorite tissue type, it would most probably be the muscle tissue because there is just so much to learn, and this is absolutely evidenced by this very well-written article.
Kylle Christine L. Cabanog
MT30 LEC – AA
The muscle tissue emerges as one of the most intriguing aspects within the human body. It captivates me primarily due to its significant role in facilitating bodily movement, an essence of vitality that defines our existence. Moreover, our muscle tissue enables quick responses to our surroundings, an attribute profoundly beneficial in our everyday experiences. Reflecting on lessons I’ve gained from our Anatomy and Physiology classes in the first year, I recall discussions about the largest (gluteus maximus) and smallest (stapedius) muscles, and respective functions of other muscles such as extension, flexion, rotation and more. I also remember as a kid that my grandmother would always advise me to consume more protein so I’d have more strength. I’ve learned from both this reading and my previous classes how crucial it is to balance our diet because various meals could offer different health benefits. In the past, I used to view exercise as something that was more of a choice, perhaps just a societal expectation based on beauty standards. However, I’ve come to realize that it holds significant importance for one’s health beyond simply conforming to societal beauty ideals. For instance, our muscles use more oxygen while we exercise. As a result, our breathing increases and our heart beats more quickly, taking in more oxygen. This encourages our muscles to create more ATP, the energy needed for movement. Furthermore, our body releases carbon dioxide during exercise, which is released by our increased breathing and heart rate. Personally, this is a well-written article that is extremely informative for students and/or even curious-minded individuals.
Josh Nathaniel M. Gadiana
MT30 LEC – AA
I believe its important to understand how muscles work, not only to professionals working in the healthcare field but also for people who are considering adapting a healthier and active lifestyle. Aside from strenuous exercise, diet also plays a major role in muscle formation and strength training. A common mistake people make is when they try to lose weight while trying to gain muscle mass. They often tend to cut the amount of food they consume without considering the nutrients required to achieve both goals such as protein. Another mistake would be inefficient training regimes that don’t make use of repetition and sets, as well as performing drills that do more harm than good to your body. People need to be educated and encouraged to exercise to decrease the risk of non-communicable diseases caused by poor lifestyle.
John Michelle M. Lagat
MT 30 – AA (LEC)
Activity for April 3, 2024
It is easy to underestimate the importance of something in our lives when we encounter it all the time. This sentiment rings true for our muscles, as cliche as that may sound. We rely on our muscles all the time without even noticing, and we don’t appreciate them enough. This lack of appreciation can manifest in neglecting to engage in enough physical activity to promote their growth and maintenance.
Comprising the majority of our body mass, muscles collaborate with other bodily systems to execute a myriad of functions. From facilitating movement, maintaining posture, and providing stability, to protecting organs and regulating bodily processes like vision, urination, digestion, and respiration, their importance cannot be overstated. However, the neglect of muscle health as observed in sedentary lifestyles can hinder their growth and maintenance. Understanding concepts such as muscular hypertrophy mentioned in the article which is fueled by mechanical tension, damage, and metabolic stress from performing physical activities underscores the importance of protein as the fundamental building block of muscle development. Strength training stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which utilizes oxygen to produce ATP that powers muscle contraction. Lack of oxygen can lead to the accumulation of lactic acid, causing fatigue and discomfort, highlighting the necessity of post-exercise cool-downs to restore oxygen levels and depleted ATP stores.
By recognizing the intricate interplay between physical activity, protein intake, and oxygen utilization in muscle health, we can better appreciate and care for these silent champions of our daily lives.