Acute Effect of exercise on

neuromuscular and skeletal system

 Learning objectives
• Describe the neural basis of muscle contraction during exercise.
• List the immediate effects of exercise on musculoskeletal system
• Explain acute and delayed onset muscle soreness.
• Describe the acute effect of exercise on bones and joints.
• Define fatigue
• Explain the causes of fatigue
• List the ways to prevent fatigue
 Twitch
• The response of a
skeletal muscle to a
single stimulation (or
action potential)
 Recruitment
•The force of contraction
depends on 2 factors:

1. Number of motor units

recruited
2. Frequency of motor unit
discharge

•As the intensity of exercise

increases , more and more
motor units are recruited.
 Immediate changes in the musculoskeletal
system during exercise
• Increased blood supply to the muscles.

• Increased pliability of the muscles.

• Increased range of movement in the joint.

• Micro tears in the muscle fibers during

strengthening exercise.
 Acute muscle soreness
• Usually lasts for a few
minutes or hours after
exercise.

• Caused due to accumulation

of metabolites formed during
exercise.

• Disappears as the
metabolites get washed away
by blood.
 Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
• Experienced 12 to 48 hours
after heavy exercise.

• Results mainly due to eccentric

action of muscles during
exercise .

• Associated tissue injury within

the muscle.

• Presence of oedema and

inflammation within the muscle.
 Effect of DOMS
• Reduction in the force-generating capacity of
muscles.

• Maximal force-generating capacity returns

after days or weeks.
 Prevention of muscle soreness
• Start at low intensity and increase gradually.

• Reduce eccentric part of exercise during early

training.
Effect of exercise on bones and joint
• Increased production of synovial fluid
– Movement stimulates the secretion of synovial fluid.
• Increased temperature at the joints
– Exercise increases the body temperature
– The synovial fluid becomes less viscous, making
movement more efficient.
• Increased range of movement
– Due to the fact that the synovial fluid is less viscous and
warmer
 Fatigue
• It is the inability of a
muscle to maintain
force of contraction
after prolonged
activity .
Types of fatigue
Fatigue

Central

Peripheral
 Central fatigue
• Emotional fatigue

• Involves the limbic system of the brain

• Energy stores in the muscles are normal.

 Peripheral fatigue
• Energy System Depletion
– In muscles
• Low Phosphocreatine levels
• Low Glycogen levels
– In blood
• Low Blood Glucose
 Peripheral fatigue
• Accumulation of Metabolic By-Products
– Role of Lactic acid

• Environmental Temperature
– Increased energy demands
 Energy System Depletion
• Phosphagen depletion :
1. Reduction in ATP
• Small ATP stores in skeletal muscle
• Enough to provide 2 – 3 seconds of maximal muscular
contraction
– Used quickly
2. Depletion of phosphocreatine (PC)
• Enough PC stored to provide up to 20 – 30 seconds of
maximal muscular contraction
– Nearly completely depleted during maximal exercise
 Energy System Depletion
• Glycogen depletion :
– Glycogen is stored in relatively large
amounts in skeletal muscle.

– Glycogen depletion occurs during long-term

activities that are done at a medium to
moderate intensity
 Accumulation of metabolites
• There is a buildup of metabolic by-products in the
muscle fiber
– Lactic acid (lactate)/Hydrogen ions (H+)
– Inorganic phosphate

• Lactate is the primary marker associated with the

accumulation hypothesis
 Role of acid in fatigue
1. H+ interferes with Ca++ release from the
sarcoplasmic reticulum.

2. H+ interferes with actin-myosin binding

affinity

3. H+ interferes with ATP hydrolysis

4. H+ interferes with ATP production

 Removal of accumulated acid
• Acid is mainly removed in the following ways:
– Increased blood flow
– Blood buffers

• Continuous isometric muscle actions are more fatiguing

because they occlude circulation.

• Intermittent isometric muscle actions allow blood to flow to

the muscle allowing the metabolites to get washed off.

• This delays the onset of fatigue.

 Role of temperature in muscle fatigue
• Muscle fatigue occurs at both low and high
muscle temperatures.

• At high temperatures, metabolites accumulate

rapidly in the muscle.

• Low muscle temperatures may affect

neuromuscular electrical transmission or the
contractile properties of the muscle.
 Prevention of fatigue
• Regular Exercise Routine
– Increased Energy Level
– Improved Self Esteem and
motivation :Reduction in
Central Fatigue
– Better Glycogen Storage
– Improved Recruitment of
Muscle Fibers
– Better Response to
Accumulation of Metabolic By-
Products
 Prevention of fatigue
• Hydration and
Temperature Control
– Energy Preservation
– Heat Acclimatization
– Improved Muscle
Activity – Less Cramping
• Sound diet
Thank you....