However, free weight exercises including squats can, in fact, have positive improvements on those with joint-degrading diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis have chronic inflammation of the joints, whereas wear-and-tear of the ligaments causes osteoarthritis. A two-year randomized study documented the effects of strength training on muscle strength, disease activity, functional capacity, and bone mineral density in early rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that strength training improved muscle strength, physical ability, bone mineral density, and joint function anywhere from 19% to 59% (Häkkinen). Another study conducted on OA similar to the study on RA produced similar results: “exercise is a vital component of the treatment for some of the underlying mechanisms of knee OA” (Vincent). Strength training does not have any detrimental effect on joint health and function and can improve the joints of those suffering from joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, completely rebuking the notion that strength training damages the joints. Although those who suffer from poor joint-health may refrain from strength training due to unbased health and safety concerns, others refuse for more superficial reasons.
Many women choose not to strength train or lift weights as they fear becoming “too bulky” or “manly looking”. The appearance of female bodybuilders typically causes this fear as they, like male bodybuilders, strive to have muscular, virtually fat-free bodies. However, the hormone profile of natural women prevents them from having the same musculature and strength as men.The male sex hormone, testosterone, has anabolic (muscle/strength increa...
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... that strength training has been proven to increase joint strength and function, and to be a safe and viable physical activity for women and children, there are very few individuals, if any, who would not benefit from strength training. The benefits range from increased muscle size and strength, increased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular to higher self-esteem, improved self-image, increased confidence, and even increased libido. Weightlifting has one of the lowest injury rates compared to other major physical activity, meaning people can safely train with little risk and high reward. With the increasingly sedentary, but busy lifestyle that most people live, they now have to make an effort to stay healthy. As a result, everyone should utilize strength in order to have an optimal time and cost efficient way to improve overall health and physical function.
Fatigue, decreased mobility and impaired balance from the rheumatoid and osteoarthritis pain also increases the risk of falls (Stanmore et al., 2013). Age related changes such as sarcopenia causes muscle tone and strength to decrease, especially in the lower limbs and as a result, balance and gait become impaired (Culross, 2008). These factors significantly influence the risk of falls and also affect the ability to carry out daily activities therefore, with a physiotherapists assistance, the nurse could introduce a personalised exercise regime to enhance muscle tone and strength (Culross, 2008). According to Neuberger et al (1997), exercise lessens fatigue and improves muscle tone and balance in older people. Recommending an exercise programme for Mrs Jones that incorporates strength training exercises and aerobics, could potentially improve muscle tone and strength and as a result improve mobility, balance and lessen the risk of falls (Bird, Pittaway, Cuisick, Rattray & Ahuja, 2013). The nurse could also suggest safety precautions such as advising Mrs Jones to use a mobility aid (Gooberman-Hill & Ebrahim,
“Drugs 2004: Steroids: Is Bulking Up Worth the Risk. “ World Book Science Year. 2009.
Ytterberg, S.R., Mahowald, M.L. & Krug, H.E.(1994) “Exercise for arthritis”, BailliOre' s Clinical Rheumatology, 8(1), pp. 161-189. ScienceDirect [Online]. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950357905802304 (Accessed: 13th May 2014).
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million Americans (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). It is caused when the cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing the bones of the joint to rub against one another. This causes pain, stiffness, and loss of motion in the joint. Osteoarthritis is most prevalent in those 65 and older, but can affect those of any age. In addition, African Americans and Hispanics report a higher incidence of arthritis than Caucasians (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). Although the cause is unknown, it is believed that the increasing age of the population, prevalence of obesity and injuries add to the progression of the condition. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body; however, those of the hand, hip, and knee are often the most common. This condition may be asymptomatic, or may present symptoms including soreness, stiffness and pain. The symptoms are more common in the older population, those with limited activity levels, and those who are obese. Joint cartilage thins over time, causing an increased risk for symptoms in the elderly, and obesity puts extra pressure on the joints during activity. Osteoarthritis is commonly diagnosed with the use of a physical assessment along with results of radiology testing such as X-Ray and MRI.
Choi, Al. "Muscle Dysmorphia: A New Syndrome in Weightlifters." British Journal of Sports Medicine. British Journal of Sports Medicine, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. .
With a growing interest in weight training younger children are beginning to lift weights. Which brings about questions about when children should be allowed to start lifting and what degree of difficulty should they be allowed to attempt. This topic has sparked a debate about whether or not a person under the age of eighteen should be allowed to competitively lift weights in the Olympics. Many believe that the risk of injuring children is not worth the opportunity for them to succeed in the Olympics. The risk is not as enormous as it is made out to be. Anyone who has a fully mature body and is over the age of thirteen should be allowed to participate in Olympic weightlifting. If done correctly lifting weights is a great way to stay active and healthy for a person of any age.
American society has entered into an era in which strength training has become the standard and most popular method of keeping the musculature of the body in aesthetic shape. Fitness centers and personal home gyms have emerged as important catalysts for people, providing everyone with equal opportunity and incentive to exercise and strength train in safe and instructional settings. This fitness boom along with the growing concerns and questions regarding the safety of prepubescent exercise has spurred several gatherings of pediatricians, fitness center owners, exercise physiologists and other related exercise scientists. Together, these groups are involved in active research studies, discussion of the methods, safety issues and effects of strength-training on prepubescent chil...
Eventually, I joined a gym and fixed my diet. As I stuck to my workout program and carefully controlled my daily calorie and macronutrient intake, results came my way and I attained the best shape I had ever been. However, weightlifting did not only change me physically. Apart from finding a hobby in it and an outlet for stress, training with weights has also taught me several lessons.
2. Fitzgerald, GK.; Piva, SR.; Gil, AB.; Wisniewski, SR.; Oddis, CV.; & Irrgang, JJ. Agility and perturbation training techniques in exercise therapy for reducing pain and improving function in people with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial. Phys Ther. April 2011;91;4: 452-469.
Females can be strong but they have to work at it much harder than males because males are just naturally stronger. This is because, “Men are 50 percent stronger than women in brute strength” (drjamesdobson.org). Men are stronger than women because the sex hormone testosterone, is found in high levels in men which gives them a head start in building muscle, “The sex hormone has anabolic effects, meaning it promotes muscle development. Secreted by the pituitary gland, testosterone binds to skeletal fiber cells and stimulates the growth of proteins, the building blocks of meaty muscles” [source: Roundy](science.how...
Steroids increase the rate of protein synthesis within the cells. Athletes use anabolic steroids; Anabolic steroids resemble androgenic hormones such as testosterone (2). These steroids enhance weight gain, speed, power, and aggressiveness. The intake of anabolic steroids induces an increase in muscle size by both hypertrophy and the formation of new muscle fibers (1). Anabolic steroids have an androgenic and anabolic effects, which are essentially the male hormone testosterone. Androgenic eff...
Bodybuilding is a practice where through dieting and strengthening individuals enlarge the muscles of their body. Consequently, there are many health risks associated with bodybuilding. It takes a very big toll on a person’s health, not just physically, but mentally as well. For many years the sport of bodybuilding has been male dominated but in the last few decades, female bodybuilding has been making an appearance within the industry. Many believe that female bodybuilding is an act of feminism because it represents the transgression of the social constructs of gender roles such as what it means to be a woman and how a woman should look. For female bodybuilders, it allows them to take charge of their mental well-being and feel empowered.
According to another article, Why Exercise is Wise, “women are prone to a condition called osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) as they get older. Studies have found that weight-bearing exercise--like jumping, running, or brisk walking--can help girls (and guys!) keep their bones strong.” Hence, exercise is very important to our life
When most people hear the term ‘bodybuilding’ they think of massive, inhuman looking individuals, mostly males, who spend every waking minute in the gym lifting weights and injecting steroids. But that is not entirely true. Bodybuilding is much more complex than that, especially when it comes to nutrition. Bodybuilding is a lifestyle. There are many different factors that come in to play for professional bodybuilders, as well as the regular person who is looking to put on muscle mass or whatever their fitness goals might be. Some of those factors include nutrition, training, recovery, supplementation, as well as the controversial topic of drugs in the bodybuilding scene. Bodybuilding also has a unique history that should be addressed before diving into the topics of bodybuilding.
The purpose of the squat is to train the muscles around the knees and hip joints, as well as to develop strength in the lower back, for execution of basic skills required in many sporting events and activities of daily living. Because a strong and stable knee is extremely important to an athlete or patient’s success, an understanding of knee biomechanics while performing the squat is helpful to therapists, trainers, and athletes alike (11). Because most activities of daily living require the coordinated contraction of several muscle groups at once, and squatting (a multi-joint movement) is one of the few strength training exercises that is able to effectively recruit multiple muscle groups in a single movement, squats are considered one of the most functional and efficient weight-bearing exercises whether an individual’s goals are sport specific or are for an increased quality of life