EFFECTS ON MUSCULAR SYSTEM:
 HYPERTROPHY & INCREASED STRENGTH: Muscle hypertrophy is a term for the
growth and increase of the size of muscle cells. The most common type of muscular
hypertrophy occurs as a result of physical exercise, such as weight lifting.
 INCREASE IN TENDON STRENGTH: Tendons are tough bands of fibrous
connective tissue.
Like muscles, tendons adapt to the mechanical loading of regular exercise. A general
adaptation is increased strength but different types of training will exert differing effects
on muscle – tendon complexes. Ligaments and tendons will increase in flexibility and
strength with exercise. Articular cartilage also becomes thicker.
 INCREASE IN MYOGLOBIN AND MITOCHONDRIA: Muscles increase their
oxidative capacity (their ability to use oxygen to produce energy) with regular training.
This is achieved by an increase in the number of mitochondria (an organelle where
aerobic energy is produced) within the muscle cells which will increase the supply of
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) and an increase in the quantity of enzymes involved in
the production of ATP. The ability of the muscle to store myoglobin is increased
(myoglobin is like haemoglobin and carries oxygen).
 INCREASED TOLERANCE TO LACTIC ACID: Lactic acid and anaerobic training
stimulates the muscles to become better able to tolerate lactic acid and clear it away more
efficiently. With endurance training the capillary network extends allowing greater
volumes of blood to supply the muscles with oxygen and nutrients. The muscles are able
to use more fate as a fuel source and become more efficient at using oxygen.
EFFECTS ON SKELETAL SYSTEM:
 INCREASE IN BONE CALCIUM STORES: Your bones store 99% of the calcium in
your body. Your body uses your skeletal system as a calcium savings account. Your cells
need constant access to calcium, which is available in the blood. Blood calcium is
regulated by hormones sensitive to the amount of calcium in your blood. If there is not
enough calcium inside the blood, your body may call upon the calcium inside your bones,
especially if your dietary calcium is lacking. If your body continuously takes calcium
from your bones, you risk having weak bones, a condition known as osteoporosis.
 INCREASED STRETCH OF LIGAMENTS: Ligaments are strong band of fibrous
tissue, the function of ligaments are to connect one bone to another tissue. Resistance
training can increase the size and strength of tendons and ligaments. This may be due to
an increase of collagen within the connective tissue sheaths.
 INCREASED THICKNESS OF HAYLINE CARTILAGE
Hayline cartilage is semi transparent and appears bluish-white in colours. It is extremely
strong, but very flexible and elastic. Hayline cartilage occurs in the trachea, larynx, the
tips of the nose and most importantly the end of the bones where they form joints.
The functions of hayline cartilage are:
- a reduced amount of friction in the joint
- facilitates bone movement
This cartilage thickens in the long term as more cartilage is produced due to increased
impact and movement.
 INCREASED PRODUCTION OF SYNOVIAL FLUID: A slippery fluid, it has the
consistancy of egg whites that is contained in the joint cavity. The fluid reduces friction
between the articular cartilage, it also nurishes the articular cartilage. During exercise the
body secretes more synovial fluid to lubricate the joints even more due to the increased
movement around a joint.