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of well-being.[1] It may vary from highly selected activities restricted to specific muscles or parts of the body, to general and vigorous activities that can return a convalescing patient to the peak of physical condition. Therapeutic exercise seeks to accomplish the following goals: Enable ambulation Release contracted muscles, tendons, and fascia Mobilize joints Improve circulation Improve respiratory capacity Improve coordination Reduce rigidity Improve balance Promote relaxation Improve muscle strength and, if possible, achieve and maintain maximal voluntary contractile force (MVC) Improve exercise performance and functional capacity (endurance) The last 2 goals mirror an individual's overall physical fitness, a state characterized by good muscle strength combined with good endurance. No matter which types of exercise may be needed initially and are applied to remedy a patient's specific condition, the final goal of rehabilitation is to achieve, whenever possible, an optimal level of physical fitness by the end of the treatment regimen.
The muscular system is one of the most precise and functional systems of our anatomy. This system is consistently adapting to the demands that are being put on it by our daily routines and exercise. Without it, we would not be able to perform normal functions of daily living from walking to chewing. Because of the necessity of this system for everyday living, we need to commit to consistent exercise to keep it strong.
MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY
Resistance training causes your muscles to become larger, or to hypertrophy. According to the Oct. 19, 2006, "Journal of Applied Physiology," muscle hypertrophy begins after only three weeks of training. The journal also reports that the first changes to occur are an increase in neural activity. Furthermore, toned muscles not only make you subjectively more attractive, but also make you objectively stronger. Additional strength allows you to perform daily
activities easier. Muscle hypertrophy directly correlates with your level of physical activity. To maintain strength over the long term, you must consistently exercise.
BETTER ENDURANCE
According to a March 2009 article in "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise," muscular endurance has been shown to increase with strength training. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) in an abstract on "Exercise Training, Energy Metabolism, and Heart Failure, muscular endurance is beneficial because it improves cardiovascular function and increases your metabolism. With an increase in your basal metabolic rate, you burn more calories throughout the day.