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Growing Muscle

Any time a muscle is immobilized, it wastes away (atrophies). Serious illness, injuries, and fractures all involve some type of immobilization. So may surgeries such as total knee and hip replacements. One of the most important tasks of recovery in all these cases is to rebuild muscle.

The problem is, scientists don't understand all the mechanisms of how muscles regrow. This article details the chemical and cellular changes that happen when muscles atrophy and regrow. Much of the research has been done in lab rats. One of the interesting findings is that muscle cells in older lab rats often have a great deal of trouble regrowing. Sometimes the cells don't seem to be able to regrow at all. There are also differences in the ways that regrowth happens in the different types of muscle fibers.

This type of research can be the foundation for finding better ways to regrow atrophied muscles. Some day, this research may help doctors and physical therapists design even better rehab programs for their patients.

References: Shuichi Machida, and Frank W. Booth. Regrowth of Skeletal Muscle Atrophied from Inactivity. In Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. January 2004. Vol. 36. No. 1. Pp. 52-59.

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