Neuroprotective Effects of Exercise
Exercise has many amazing benefits for the neuromuscular system and longevity!
Hello readers,
The neuromuscular system is truly amazing! This system consists of all the muscles and the nerves that activate them.
First let’s better understand the basics of what compromises this system! The basic unit would be a motor unit! A motor unit is composed of a motor neuron and all of the muscle fibers it innervates. Motor neurons are specialized cells located within the spinal cord and brain. The muscle fibers are single muscle cells.
Every single movement that occurs requires the brain to communicate with the body’s muscles. Taken together it’s the Neuromuscular system!
The image below is a good representation of a motor unit.
The basic connection of the nervous and muscular system is important to understand to better comprehend the physiology adaptations that may occur from exercise interventions!
Neuroprotective Effects of Exercise!
As individuals age, it is common to see decreases in muscle mass, strength, and even power. Throughout the adult lifespan there is a slow and progressive loss of motor units, leading to motor unit dysfunction and deterioration1. Simply put, quite a few negative health consequences may occur. Examples include the loss of force production, muscle size, among many others. Additionally a significant amount of individuals experience neuromuscular disorders such as multiple sclerosis and ALS, just to name two that are well-known.
Research is showing habitual physical activity and exercise have the potential to attenuate the loss and degradation of motor units for those with and without neuromuscular disorders. Active individuals tend to exhibit a lower loss in motor unit number, muscle mass, and overall neuromuscular function. Supporting the idea that all individuals should include some type of exercise in their daily routine. As exercise promotes functional capacity and healthy aging.
When a person starts to exercise the connection between the nervous system and muscular system improves. The first strength gains that appear from resistance training are due to neural adaptations, this occurs from an increased neuromuscular coordination. Both resistance and aerobic training lead to a more efficient and effective recruitment of motor units and increased motor unit synchronization. Motor unit synchronization means that motor units are able to inntervate muscle fibers at the same time, therefore increasing the force produced by the muscle.
As a whole exercising leads to an improved connection between your muscles and nervous system which decreases the risk of many negative health outcomes, such as sarcopenia (age related muscle loss). Other benefits exist for individuals with neuromuscular disorders, as the physical demands lead to many physiological adaptations. Exercise will improve your functional capacity and lead to a greater quality of life! While it may be time consuming, just remember that the time you spend to improve your health will reward you with improved physical function!
Remember Movement Matters!
Thanks for reading,
Mason
Allen, M. D., Dalton, B. H., Gilmore, K. J., McNeil, C. J., Doherty, T. J., Rice, C. L., & Power, G. A. (2021). Neuroprotective effects of exercise on the aging human neuromuscular system. Experimental Gerontology, 152, 111465.