Musculoskeletal Fitness, Health Outcomes and Quality of Life

Abstract

The health benefits and quality-of-life outcomes of a fit musculoskeletal system (musculoskeletal fitness) are reviewed in this article. The World Health Organization suggests health is a state of complete physical, mental or social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Physical health includes such characteristics as body size and shape, sensory acuity, susceptibility to disease and disorders, body functioning, recuperative ability and the ability to perform certain tasks. One aspect of physical health is the musculoskeletal system, which consists of 3 components; muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. Muscular strength (dynamic) is defined as the maximum force a muscle or muscle group can generate at a specific velocity. Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated contractions against a load for an extended period of time. Flexibility has 2 components, dynamic or static, where dynamic flexibility is the opposition or resistance of a joint to motion, that is, the forces opposing movement rather than the range of movement itself. Static flexibility is the range of motion about ajoint, typically measured as the degree of arc at the end of joint movement. If strength, endurance and flexibility are not maintained, musculoskeletal fitness is then compromised which can significantly impact physical health and well-being. Many health benefits are associated with musculoskeletal fitness, such as reduced coronary risk factors, increased bone mineral density (reduced risk of osteoporosis), increased flexibility, improved glucose tolerance, and greater success in completion of activities of daily living (ADL). With aging, the performance of daily tasks can become a challenge. Additionally, falls, bone fractures and the need for institutional care indicate a musculoskeletal weakness as we age. The earlier in life an individual becomes physically active the greater the increase in positive health benefits; however, becoming physically active at any age will benefit overall health. Improved musculoskeletal fitness (for example, through resistance training combined with stretching) is associated with an enhanced health status. Thus, maintaining musculoskeletal fitness can increase overall quality of life.

Pilates and aerobic training improve levels of depression, anxiety and quality of life in overweight and obese individuals

“…In agreement with these results, several previous studies, in healthy and diseased groups, have demonstrated beneficial effects of physical activity on several quality of life and mental health parameters 7,8,20,21,22 . Pilates exercise could be an alternative strategy for promoting health status and quality of life improvements in both nonclinical and clinical populations 23,24,25,26,27 .…”

Differential cross-sectional associations of work- and leisure-time sitting, with cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among working adults

“…Only participants with complete data were included in analyses. Restricted linear splines (10,50, 90 percentiles) were tested in all analyses to account for non-linear associations of sitting time. Fit was compared using an F-test.…”

“…Poor cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality, especially of cardiovascular origin, among adults (8). Muscular fitness, ie, muscular power, strength and endurance, is related to musculoskeletal morbidity, eg, low-back pain, but is also considered important for hormonal and substrate metabolism, particularly for insulin sensitivity of active skeletal muscles (9), and is related to premature mortality among adults (10). Adverse associations of sedentary behaviors have been identified with cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among children and young adults (11,12), and with muscular fitness among the elderly (13).…”

Efeito de agentes térmicos aplicados previamente a um programa de alongamentos na flexibilidade dos músculos isquiotibiais encurtados

“…Entretanto, ainda não existem evidências científicas que suportem a afirmação que os alongamentos realizados antes e/ou após exercícios previnem lesões esportivas, mas estes não são desaconselháveis (20) . Porém, é inegável a associação da flexibilidade e da atividade física com a melhora da qualidade de vida (1) . A implementação clínica do calor é sugerida por aumentar a extensibilidade das fibras do colágeno e as propriedades mecânicas do mús-culo (10) .…”

“…Flexibilidade adequada é uma característica importante de aptidão física, sendo um componente fundamental para a qualidade de vida (1) , performance esportiva, prevenção e reabilitação de lesões (2) . Exercícios com finalidade de aumentar a força e a capacidade aeróbica diminuem a flexibilidade muscular e este efeito pode levar a risco aumentado de lesões durante os treinamentos, competições e/ou participação em atividades físicas diárias (2) .…”