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p y s i o l o g y

Human Physiology is the biological study of the functions of humans and their parts.

Muscle Fiber Types

There are two muscle fiber types in humans, Slow Twitch Fibers (Red in Color) and Fast Twitch Fibers (White in Color). With certain exceptions, most people are born with roughly a 50/50 amount of each fiber type. Slow-Twitch muscles contract slowly and fatigue at a slower rate. Such fiber types are used more in endurance activities such as long distance running and swimming. Fast-Twitch muscles contract very quickly exerting a lot of force when utilized (example - maximum bench press lift). A majority of long distance endurance athletes are born with an exceptional amount of Slow-Twitch Red Fibers. In contrast, strength athletes such as wrestlers and bodybuilders usually have a higher amount of Fast-Twitch White Fibers.

Fat Cells

An interesting fact about fat is that all humans are born with a set amount of fat cells. Two individuals with the same weight may have a substantially different amount of fat cells. As your body stores more fat, the number of fat cells remains the same; each fat cell simply gets bigger. Crash & Fad diets result in the temporary reduction in the size of these fat cells, not the elimination of them. This is why it is important to make conscious choices everyday, not just sometimes, in the types and amounts of food you put into your body.

The Signal

Ever wonder how you are able to squeeze the juice from an orange? Or suddenly pick up a 150 pound sofa and move it down a flight of stairs? Whether the task is big or small, the brain is responsible for sending signals to your muscles thus notifying them of the task at hand.

Motor neurons (indicated in solid and dotted black lines) transmit the signal from the brain (blue) down the spinal chord (yellow) to the muscles (red) resulting in the chewing of food, the movement of the shoulder, the inflation of the lungs, and the tension of the quadriceps.

Physical activity helps to keep the central nervous system, neurons, and muscles active in a consistent and challenging state, thus resulting in a more enjoyable and longer lasting life.

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