The Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system includes bones, muscles, and connective tissues that all work together to provide the framework for the body, create body movements, store minerals and lipids, produce blood cells, and protest the body’s organs. The bones, muscles, and connective tissue comprise approximately sixty percent of the body’s mass. There are 206 bones and about 700 named muscles of three different types: skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles (Taylor). Musculoskeletal disorders consist of minor physical disabilities. This term is used to describe a variety of conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and joints. The severity of the disorder can vary. Musculoskeletal disorders are extremely common, and the risk of developing one increases
The main reason for muscle wasting is a lack of physical activity. This can happen when a disease or injury makes it difficult or impossible for a person to move an arm or leg. It can also occur from a sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise, usually related to a medical condition that decreases mobility such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Symptoms of muscle atrophy are muscles becoming weak and flabby, pain, difficulty moving, and in extreme cases, heart failure as the muscles become weaker, the heart does not pump blood as efficiently. In most cases, exercise can help reverse the effects of muscle atrophy (MD Health.com). In case of an 84 year old, small boned, white female, she would be prone to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and if not getting proper exercise and nutrition, muscle atrophy could occur as well. In conclusion, we see that advancing age, genetics and lifestyle play an important role in musculoskeletal disorders. Exercise, nutrition and regular doctor visits help reduce the risk of developing these
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