The Life Course Of The musculoskeletal System And Implications For the Populations

Question 1

At what age dose the growth spurt starts for girls?

Answer 1

10 years of age.

Question 2

At what age dose the growth spurt starts for boys?

Answer 2

12 years of age.

Question 3

What is osteoporosis?

Answer 3

Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.

Question 4

What effect dose relaxin have during pregnancy?

Answer 4

Relaxin (a hormone released from the first trimester) softens ligaments, cartilage and the cervix, allowing greater potential movement at joints.

Question 5

What changes to the musculoskeletal system would affect exercise for young people (14-16)?

Answer 5

• Growth spurts
• Muscle mass steady increase
• Reduced flexibility (muscle growth does not keep up with bone growth)
• Disproportionate limbs (biomechanically out of balance and less coordinated)
• Body fat (obesity in children and young people also require specific considerations)

Question 6

What changes to the musculoskeletal system would affect exercise for older adults (50+)?

Answer 6

• Progressive loss of bone mass (osteopenia, risk of osteoporosis)
• Reduction in joint range of movement
• Wear and tear to cartilage (osteoarthritis)
• Postural changes (kyphosis)
• Decreased number of fast twitch and increase number of slow twitch muscle fibres
• Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia)
• Higher body fat and lower fat-free body mass

Question 7

What changes to the musculoskeletal system would affect exercise for pregnant or post-natal women?

Answer 7

• Reduced joint stability (relaxin)
• Weaker pelvic floor muscles
• Lengthened and weakened abdominal muscles (growing foetus)
• Postural changes (kyphosis or lordosis) hollow back posture