The Skeletal System: Sports performance/ Movement
The skeletal system works closely with the muscles of the body to allow for movement. Sport and other forms of training and exercise are significantly dependent on the functioning and heath of your bones. Healthier bones have a higher tissue density, while unhealthy bones have a lower density with more gaps. This can be an issue as lower density bone tissue can lead to bone loss, which is most often age-related.
How the Skeletal System works during sport:
The whole skeletal system (including bones, joints, ligaments, cartilage and tendons) contribute to sports performance. Bones protect the body's organs which may have otherwise been damaged, due to contact and force which is involved in most sport. The function of the skeleton in sport is also to provide rigidity and structure to the the body, as well as providing strength to the body.
Movement is completely necessary in sport, as well as daily life. The skeletal systems contribution in sport includes the allowance of movement in many different directions, involving different groups of bones to do so. Bones also provide leverage which is essential in sport, and they also act as a structure for muscles. Joints aid in movement as well as contributing to sport, as joints allow for movement and the range of flexibility between bones.
How the Skeletal System works during sport:
The whole skeletal system (including bones, joints, ligaments, cartilage and tendons) contribute to sports performance. Bones protect the body's organs which may have otherwise been damaged, due to contact and force which is involved in most sport. The function of the skeleton in sport is also to provide rigidity and structure to the the body, as well as providing strength to the body.
Movement is completely necessary in sport, as well as daily life. The skeletal systems contribution in sport includes the allowance of movement in many different directions, involving different groups of bones to do so. Bones also provide leverage which is essential in sport, and they also act as a structure for muscles. Joints aid in movement as well as contributing to sport, as joints allow for movement and the range of flexibility between bones.
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Blood Cell Production
Due to the fact that bones produce blood cells which are made in the bone marrow, bones are also very crucial in sports performance. Blood is very necessary for life as it transports oxygen from the lungs to every cell in the body, as well as removing the carbon dioxide from the body. During sport this process (of delivering oxygenated blood to the tissue in the body) is very necessary, as the muscles require more oxygen, which needs to be delivered quickly. In this sense, the skeletal system works closely with the circulatory system to help with sports performance.
Spinal Column
As mentioned previously, under the heading "Structure of the Skeletal System", the spinal column and spinal cord are crucial to sport and movement. Although the spinal cord is not a part of the skeletal system, it is thoroughly protected by the spinal column which is made up of bone. Without the spinal column the spinal cord would be extremely damaged due to impact which occurs in everyday life. As well as protecting the spinal cord, the spinal column also provides stability and strength for the rest of the body, which is essential in sport. The spinal cord is associated with the nervous system and plays a crucial role in sports performance as it is the location where impulses that are sent from the brain, travel through the body to enable movement
Effects of exercise (on the skeletal system):
Sport can have both positive and negative impacts on the skeletal system of an individual, depending on the type of movement involved, as well as the age of the individual. These positive and negative impacts can be relatively short-term, but may also develop over time.
Positive Effects of Sport on the Skeletal System
Generally, sport and exercise which is practiced at a young age, aids in the prevention of osteoporosis (a condition where bones become less dense, and frail) at a later stage in life. This condition puts people at a greater risk of breaks and fractures to bones, as weakening of the bones makes them more susceptible to damage. Exercise not only strengthens your muscular system, but it also helps to maintain bone strength and density. This process happens as bones detect the forces which come about during sport and exercise. Because they are living organs, they respond to this stimulus by adapting and creating more cells.
While participating in sport and exercise, ligaments may also benefit. When exercising, ligaments will stretch more than they would when remaining inactive. Over time, they become slightly stretched which enables more extension and increased flexibility in sport and everyday life.
Over-Training (Negative Impact)
Over-training or over-exercising can often have negative impacts on the skeletal system. If your vitamin D and calcium levels do not suffice the amount of work your skeletal system is managing, it is possible to lose bone density, and therefore make the bones more susceptible to breaks. Sports which involve weight-bearing are generally good for the bones, although weight-bearing can often damage the growth plate in children.
This is a common injury suffered by young gymnasts. This type of injury in the growth plate has been linked to the great stresses placed on the forearms during gymnastics. It is believed that in young children, intensive training in gymnastics may lead to reduced growth in the radius, (bone in the forearm) as well as lead to premature closures of the radial growth plates.
Due to the fact that bones produce blood cells which are made in the bone marrow, bones are also very crucial in sports performance. Blood is very necessary for life as it transports oxygen from the lungs to every cell in the body, as well as removing the carbon dioxide from the body. During sport this process (of delivering oxygenated blood to the tissue in the body) is very necessary, as the muscles require more oxygen, which needs to be delivered quickly. In this sense, the skeletal system works closely with the circulatory system to help with sports performance.
Spinal Column
As mentioned previously, under the heading "Structure of the Skeletal System", the spinal column and spinal cord are crucial to sport and movement. Although the spinal cord is not a part of the skeletal system, it is thoroughly protected by the spinal column which is made up of bone. Without the spinal column the spinal cord would be extremely damaged due to impact which occurs in everyday life. As well as protecting the spinal cord, the spinal column also provides stability and strength for the rest of the body, which is essential in sport. The spinal cord is associated with the nervous system and plays a crucial role in sports performance as it is the location where impulses that are sent from the brain, travel through the body to enable movement
Effects of exercise (on the skeletal system):
Sport can have both positive and negative impacts on the skeletal system of an individual, depending on the type of movement involved, as well as the age of the individual. These positive and negative impacts can be relatively short-term, but may also develop over time.
Positive Effects of Sport on the Skeletal System
Generally, sport and exercise which is practiced at a young age, aids in the prevention of osteoporosis (a condition where bones become less dense, and frail) at a later stage in life. This condition puts people at a greater risk of breaks and fractures to bones, as weakening of the bones makes them more susceptible to damage. Exercise not only strengthens your muscular system, but it also helps to maintain bone strength and density. This process happens as bones detect the forces which come about during sport and exercise. Because they are living organs, they respond to this stimulus by adapting and creating more cells.
While participating in sport and exercise, ligaments may also benefit. When exercising, ligaments will stretch more than they would when remaining inactive. Over time, they become slightly stretched which enables more extension and increased flexibility in sport and everyday life.
Over-Training (Negative Impact)
Over-training or over-exercising can often have negative impacts on the skeletal system. If your vitamin D and calcium levels do not suffice the amount of work your skeletal system is managing, it is possible to lose bone density, and therefore make the bones more susceptible to breaks. Sports which involve weight-bearing are generally good for the bones, although weight-bearing can often damage the growth plate in children.
This is a common injury suffered by young gymnasts. This type of injury in the growth plate has been linked to the great stresses placed on the forearms during gymnastics. It is believed that in young children, intensive training in gymnastics may lead to reduced growth in the radius, (bone in the forearm) as well as lead to premature closures of the radial growth plates.