What Happens to Muscle Tissue During Immobilization?
When a muscle is immobilized, it undergoes structural and functional changes. Muscle atrophy is a significant consequence, characterized by a reduction in muscle fiber size. Histologically, this is observed as a decrease in the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers. Additionally, there is a reduction in the number of mitochondria, leading to diminished energy production and endurance. The expression of contractile proteins such as actin and myosin decreases, affecting muscle strength.
