Grandpa and growth hormone

Grandpa and Growth Hormone
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Grandpa and Growth Hormone
Muscular Atrophy versus Muscular Hypertrophy
Muscle atrophy is the shrinking or decrease in the mass of a human muscle, which occurs when muscles waste away due to lack of physical activities. Muscle atrophy may be as a result of a disease, starvation or a temporary disabling situation example restriction of movements. Muscle atrophy eventually leads to muscle weakness (Hoeger et al., 2017). Muscular hypertrophy is an increase in the size of human skeletal muscles caused by the increased growth of its component cells. Muscular hypertrophy may be as a result of continuous physical training.
The Effects of Aging on Muscular Size and Strength
In the process of aging, the muscles undergo changes. At old age, hormones that are responsible for muscle growth and development are produced at a slower rate compared to younger people. An older adult’s body becomes slow at producing muscle tissues and repairing worn out fiber tissues (Lilley et al., 2017). Eventually, the elderly will experience a loss of muscle mass which will reduce their exercise capacity and the strength required in carrying out daily activities.
Factors That Determine These Effects
The primary factor that leads to decrease in muscle strength and muscle size is sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is a disease that is associated with the loss of muscle strength and reduced muscle function. At old age, this disease is inevitable. Sarcopenia is determined by the initial mass of the muscle and the rate at which muscle mass decreases due to aging (Goodman et al.

, 2016).
The Safest Methods to Offset the Aging
Aging and its effects on the muscular system cannot be avoided. The safest methods to face these effects are exercise and strength training. Exercise has for a long, been suggested to be the best treatment of sarcopenia (Goodman et al., 2016). This is because it will exert effects on the muscular system and the nervous system. A progressive exercise training will increase the muscle strength, the muscle size and the capacity of older adults.
Apart from aging, there are diseases and disorders that affect the muscular system. A good example of a common muscle disorder is the inflammatory myopathies which cause skeletal muscle inflammation and body weakening. Other disorders include dermatomyositis, muscular dystrophies, and metabolic muscle disorders.
References
Goodman, C., Fuller, K. & Shea, R. (2016). Pathology for the physical therapist assistant. Place of publication not identified: Saunders.
Hoeger, W., Hoeger, S., Fawson, A. & Hoeger, C. (2017). Fitness & wellness. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Lilley, L., Lilley, L., Snyder, J., Swart, B., Collins, S. & Savoca, D. (2017). Pharmacology for Canadian healthcare practice. Toronto: Elsevier Canada.