Imobility Research Paper
The Hazards of Immobility: Effects on Metabolic Equilibrium
Mark Foust
Breckinridge School of Nursing
February 4, 2015
Abstract
Experience and basic wisdom teach us the importance and benefits of exercise and activity and the hazards of inactivity and immobility. However, the myth that bed rest is good for you when ill or recuperating still persists in our world. An abundance of scientific research in the past 50 years demonstrates the specific damage done to each of the body’s organ systems by immobility and inactivity. Immobility of the body leads to devastating deterioration. No body system is immune to the effects. One system affected tremendously is the metabolic system. With prolonged bed rest and immobility, …show more content…
When a person is confinded to bed rest and has increased immobility, the metabolic rate decreases in response to the lower levels of energy required to maintain the body’s homeostasis. Anabolic processes, metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units and require energy for the process, are slowed down and catabolic processes, where large molecules are broken down into smaller parts and then used up in respiration, are sped up in the body (Olson, 1967). The process of protein breakdown leads to protein deficiency and negative nitrogen balance (Olson, 1967). Nitrogen balance expresses the balance between anabolism and catabolism (Olson, 1967). A negative nitrogen balance exists when the excretion of nitrogen from the breakdown of protein exceeds intake (Olson, 1967). This predisposes the patient to problems with wound healing and normal tissue growth, thus resulting in loss of lean body mass and increased percentage of body fat (Olson, 1967). The formation of decubitus ulcers, or pressure ulcers, is also an issue with immobile patients (Olson, 1967). Pressure ulcers are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the …show more content…
The body’s ability to regulate blood glucose is adversely affected by long periods of immobility. Studies show a progressive development of glucose intolerance that correlates directly to the length of time that patients remain in bed (Rousseau, 1993). The number of insulin receptors expressed in skeletal muscles increases in proportion to physical activity (Rousseau, 1993). When a person leads an active lifestyle and exercising regularly, expression of insulin receptors remains high. When active people eat a meal rich in carbohydrates, their blood glucose levels rise, triggering insulin release. Insulin binds to the abundant receptors within the skeletal muscles, promoting rapid glucose uptake, returning the blood glucose level to within the normal range (Rousseau, 1993). Immobility and reduced food intake are associated with a reduction in the expression of insulin receptors in the skeletal muscles (Rousseau, 1993). When patients confined to bed eat carbohydrate-rich meals, the sensitivity of the skeletal muscles to the effects of insulin is much lower, resulting in lower glucose uptake and a higher blood glucose concentration (Rousseau, 1993). The reduced sensitivity of skeletal muscles to the effects of insulin typically results in overproduction and secretion of insulin, leading to hyperinsulinaemia
Mark Foust
Breckinridge School of Nursing
February 4, 2015
Abstract
Experience and basic wisdom teach us the importance and benefits of exercise and activity and the hazards of inactivity and immobility. However, the myth that bed rest is good for you when ill or recuperating still persists in our world. An abundance of scientific research in the past 50 years demonstrates the specific damage done to each of the body’s organ systems by immobility and inactivity. Immobility of the body leads to devastating deterioration. No body system is immune to the effects. One system affected tremendously is the metabolic system. With prolonged bed rest and immobility, …show more content…
When a person is confinded to bed rest and has increased immobility, the metabolic rate decreases in response to the lower levels of energy required to maintain the body’s homeostasis. Anabolic processes, metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units and require energy for the process, are slowed down and catabolic processes, where large molecules are broken down into smaller parts and then used up in respiration, are sped up in the body (Olson, 1967). The process of protein breakdown leads to protein deficiency and negative nitrogen balance (Olson, 1967). Nitrogen balance expresses the balance between anabolism and catabolism (Olson, 1967). A negative nitrogen balance exists when the excretion of nitrogen from the breakdown of protein exceeds intake (Olson, 1967). This predisposes the patient to problems with wound healing and normal tissue growth, thus resulting in loss of lean body mass and increased percentage of body fat (Olson, 1967). The formation of decubitus ulcers, or pressure ulcers, is also an issue with immobile patients (Olson, 1967). Pressure ulcers are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the …show more content…
The body’s ability to regulate blood glucose is adversely affected by long periods of immobility. Studies show a progressive development of glucose intolerance that correlates directly to the length of time that patients remain in bed (Rousseau, 1993). The number of insulin receptors expressed in skeletal muscles increases in proportion to physical activity (Rousseau, 1993). When a person leads an active lifestyle and exercising regularly, expression of insulin receptors remains high. When active people eat a meal rich in carbohydrates, their blood glucose levels rise, triggering insulin release. Insulin binds to the abundant receptors within the skeletal muscles, promoting rapid glucose uptake, returning the blood glucose level to within the normal range (Rousseau, 1993). Immobility and reduced food intake are associated with a reduction in the expression of insulin receptors in the skeletal muscles (Rousseau, 1993). When patients confined to bed eat carbohydrate-rich meals, the sensitivity of the skeletal muscles to the effects of insulin is much lower, resulting in lower glucose uptake and a higher blood glucose concentration (Rousseau, 1993). The reduced sensitivity of skeletal muscles to the effects of insulin typically results in overproduction and secretion of insulin, leading to hyperinsulinaemia