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Allowing Metamorphic Changes in Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength and Avoiding Them

Tracy Boyd

          Physical activity and resistance exercise improves physical fitness for many reasons, but this article will focus on how it benefits body muscle and what is required for muscle maintenance. It will explain why muscles shrink without usage, which is a metamorphic change to avoid. Physical activity and resistance exercise increases contractile protein, muscle strength and muscle mass. (Koopman, Saris, Wagenmakers & Van Loon, 2007). Without any type of exercise, it is perceivable that one would be devoid of extra protein, muscle strength and muscle mass. Increasing protein in the body during exercise is very important. The authors explain the body needs net muscle protein during exercise and body building because protein breakdown occurs during physical activity and even moreso after exhaustive exercise. Net muscle protein balance becomes negative without foods that have protein and carbohydrates after a workout. Once again, this is a metamorphic change to avoid! Therefore, the body needs to re-fuel with the proper nutritional diet to maintain a positive protein balance. Nutritional supplements provide energy production, enhanced immune function and glycogen resynthesis for resistance exercise and aerobic exercise (Bloomer, 2007).

          According to Koopman, Saris, Wagenmakers and Van Loon (2007), resistance-type exercise training is important intervention for the preservation of muscle mass and strength. It is recommended for the young and elderly. The elderly are at greater risk for the loss of muscle mass and strength due to several reasons such as a reduction in the muscle cross-sectional area, chronic metabolic disease and aging. Muscle protein synthesis can be preserved with exercise intervention, which includes proper nutrition.

          They recommend protein ingestion within two hours after resistance exercise in order to gain muscle mass. Carbohydrates increase circulating insulin concentrations after exercise causing a reduction in protein breakdown. Protein and amino acids are necessary for protein synthesis stimulation and to maintain a positive net protein balance. It is possible for muscle proteins to become damaged during resistance exercise, however, the extent of muscle injury might be reduced with proper nutrients (Bloomer, 2007).

          Proper nutrients should be taken after physical activity and resistance exercise in order for muscle hypertrophy (powerful with tone) to occur. Physical activity and resistance exercise is the way to a strong effervescent body and might allow you to experience change like the caterpillar that starts off wormy looking, but goes through metamorphosis and flies away a beautiful butterfly.

References:

Koopman, R., Saris, W. H. M., Wagenmakers, A. J. M., & Van Loon, L. J. C.
          (2007). Nutritional interventions to promote post-exercise muscle protein
          synthesis. Sports Medicine, 37(10), 895-906.

Bloomer, R. J. (2007). The role of nutritional supplements in the prevention and
          treatment of resistance exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury. Sports Medicine,
          37(6), 519-534.