Explain how the digestive, endocrine and muscular systems work together to produce muscle growth during an 8-week strength training program. (5 marks)
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Nutrient processing:
- The digestive system breaks down dietary protein into amino acids.
- These amino acids enter the bloodstream for transport to muscles.
- As a result, building blocks for new muscle tissue become available.
- Carbohydrates digest into glucose which provides energy for training sessions.
Hormonal control:
- Weight training triggers the endocrine system to release growth hormone.
- This hormone signals muscles to use amino acids for protein synthesis.
- After meals, insulin release facilitates nutrient entry into muscle cells.
- These hormonal actions enable muscles to repair and grow larger.
Muscle adaptation:
- Training causes tiny tears in muscle fibres during each session.
- This damage stimulates the need for repair using available amino acids.
- Consequently, muscles rebuild stronger and larger over time.
- The endocrine system controls this rebuilding through hormone release.
System coordination:
- The interaction shows that muscle growth needs all three systems working together.
- Digestive system provides materials while endocrine system controls their use.
- Meanwhile, muscular system responds to training stress and hormonal signals.
- Therefore, consistent nutrition and training over 8 weeks produces visible muscle growth.
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Sample Answer
Nutrient processing:
- The digestive system breaks down dietary protein into amino acids.
- These amino acids enter the bloodstream for transport to muscles.
- As a result, building blocks for new muscle tissue become available.
- Carbohydrates digest into glucose which provides energy for training sessions.
Hormonal control:
- Weight training triggers the endocrine system to release growth hormone.
- This hormone signals muscles to use amino acids for protein synthesis.
- After meals, insulin release facilitates nutrient entry into muscle cells.
- These hormonal actions enable muscles to repair and grow larger.
Muscle adaptation:
- Training causes tiny tears in muscle fibres during each session.
- This damage stimulates the need for repair using available amino acids.
- Consequently, muscles rebuild stronger and larger over time.
- The endocrine system controls this rebuilding through hormone release.
System coordination:
- The interaction shows that muscle growth needs all three systems working together.
- Digestive system provides materials while endocrine system controls their use.
- Meanwhile, muscular system responds to training stress and hormonal signals.
- Therefore, consistent nutrition and training over 8 weeks produces visible muscle growth.