The Skeletal & Muscular Systems

The skeletal and muscular systems allow you to interact with and manipulate the environment around you. However, there are various factors that can interfere with the proper functioning of these organ systems, from a fracture to an overuse injury to a joint disease.

In this week’s discussion, you will evaluate two case studies related to some of the factors that influence skeletal and muscular health. Respond to the two topics below for this unit’s discussion and then during the week, respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

Naomi is a left-handed, 18-year-old tennis player who has been training to compete in the upcoming U.S. Open. During the winter break, Naomi decided to ski with her friends. She slipped on the ice and attempted to brace for the fall by stretching both arms out. She was surprised to find that, despite landing on both arms, only her right arm was fractured.
What might explain why only her right arm was fractured, despite her landing on both arms with the same force? How would you test your hypothesis?
What are the different ways a doctor may treat her fractured bone?
Let’s say that Naomi was a 45-year-old female approaching menopause. Would you expect her risk of having a more severe fracture to increase or decrease? Why?
Have you or someone you know had a fracture? How was it treated? What was the outcome?
Alexi is a baseball player who has been using anabolic steroids to enhance his performance.
What are anabolic steroids?
How do steroids enhance an athlete’s performance?
What are the potential side effects of anabolic steroid use?
If you were coaching Alexi’s team, what would you advise? What are other ways to improve athletic performance?