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Chapter 3 The Muscular System 79
Directions: In a group of three or four students, research one of the following topics. Then prepare and
present a report to the class. As you work on this project, practice your ability to cooperate, contribute,
and collaborate with members of your team.
1. Choose one of the individuals below. Using reliable resources for research if necessary, discuss the
importance of the individual’s contributions to our understanding of the human muscular system.
• Jacopo Berengario da Carpi
• Leonardo da Vinci
• William Harvey
• John Moir
• Juan Valverde de Amusco
• Andreas Vesalius
2. Investigate the pros and cons of a high-protein diet as it relates to safe bodybuilding techniques.
3. Visit the National Institutes of Health website and type the phrase “anabolic steroid abuse” in the
search box. What are anabolic steroids? What are their effects on health? Why do people abuse
these drugs? What can be done to prevent steroid abuse?
Surgical Procedures and Therapeutics
Once a muscular condition or disease has been diagnosed, a treat-
ment plan can be developed and implemented. For example, when an
EMG (electromyogram) reveals symptoms of muscle weakness, physical
therapy may be the recommended treatment.
Following is a list of common surgical and noninvasive treatments for
diseases and conditions of the muscular system.
Treatment Defi nition
myoplasty
MIGH-oh-PLAS-tee
my/o = muscle
-plasty = surgical repair
Surgical repair of a muscle through
plastic surgery.
physical therapy Treatment to rehabilitate a patient
disabled by illness or injury. Common
methods include exercise; hydrotherapy
(water therapy), shown in Figure 3.14;
ultrasound; and diathermy (DIGH-uh-
THER-mee), or deep heating of body
tissues using a high-frequency electrical
current.
range-of-motion (ROM)
therapy
Exercises performed to improve or
maintain joint mobility and fl exibility.
Active ROM exercises are those that can
be performed on your own. Assisted
ROM exercises require minor assistance
due to mild weakness, pain, or stiffness.
Passive ROM exercises are performed
by a physical therapist on a person
who requires total assistance to do the
exercises.
Figure 3.14 Hydrotherapy is
often recommended for patients
with arthritis because the
buoyancy of the water means
less weight-bearing impact on
the joints.