Biologically an ‘organ’ is a collection of tissues that structurally form a functional unit specialized to perform a particular action. Yet, knowingly we seldom refer to the fact that the largest ‘organ’ in the human body is skeletal muscle.
Normally we think of muscle for locomotion, posture, breathing and fiber contractions for activity, but these fibers do much more. Muscles produce myokines, “A myokine is one of several hundred cytokines or other small proteins that are produced and released by skeletal muscle cells in response to muscular contractions.” Muscles communicate with bones, the liver, pancreas, adipose tissue, the brain, vascular bed and within the muscle itself.
There is a known association that with lack of activity and sedentary behavior there is a greater risk of many chronic diseases and that physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. The health benefits of activity are much more than using movement to elevate heart rate, burn calories and gain or retain muscle, these important proteins produced by skeletal muscle help safeguard us as we move through daily living and are dependent upon contraction.
The value of muscular development, through strength training and mobility leads to an altered myokine response and is a mechanism for what can be considered exercise-induced protection against many ailments. A welcomed addition to the value of fitness.
Get Strong and Get More.
The Pendulum Rack System
