Nervous System Adaptation
Adaptation plays a significant role in
exercise development as seen by mental
imagery, cross education, and
coactivation. The body must establish and modify
it’s own neural network
before it can strengthen. A weight lifter can improve
his workouts by
understanding the fundamentals of NSA. The nervous system plays
a large role
in how a muscle develops. For example Scientists have found that
people who
visualize their workouts can stimulate a significant amount of muscle
growth.
Although scientists would not advise solely visualized workouts they
do
stress the importance of good mental preparation to help
physiological
adaptation. Another example of how the nervous system effects
muscle development
is in cross education. When one injures a muscle often
times the doctor will
tell them to work the opposite uninjured muscle. This
action will indirectly
stimulate the injured muscle. When a novice weight
lifter flexes a muscle, the
opposing muscle restricts movement. After working
out for a period of time, this
misfiring of the neurons will dissipate. This
phenomenon is known as
coactivation. Also, in synchronization a novice weight
lifter’s movements will
be shaky until his or her neural network has adjusted
itself.