Children and Muscle Structure


Children and muscle structure

Strength naturally increases with age because of body growth and development of the neuromuscular system. However, it should be noted that the muscular system does not always develop at the same rate as the skeleton. Genetically, children inherit from their parents the portion of each type of muscle fibre in their body. Muscle growth does not keep up with bone growth, which can sometimes make children appear clumsy or awkward. Muscle growth varies in children depending on age, gender and body type.

Key Components of muscle structure

The structure of a muscle from the largest component to the smallest is : The fascia, bundles of muscle fibres, Muscle fibre, myofibril, sarcomere, myosin filament and Actin Filament.

 MUSCLE FACTS

* Muscles are always in a slight state of tension.

 * Muscles are linked to the nervous system by nerves.

 * Slow-twitch/ type 1 : slow oxidative fibres are best equipped for endurance work. They are slow to contract and slow to fatigue.

 * Fast-twitch/ type lla : fast glycolytic fibres are best equipped for strength work. They are fast to contract and fast to fatigue.

 * Fast twitch/ type llb: fast glycolyctic muscle fibres are best equipped for work that requires a high force quickly. They contract with high force rapidly but fatigue rapidly