General Instructions

In this activity, you will be given a series of questions where you will explain and analyze the biological and chemical reactions in the human body during and after exercising. The activity ends when you write a paragraph explaining to a patient the pathology of Rhabdomyolysis, what happens to the body, and how to take care of oneself and prevent this condition in the human body.

Step 1 - Review

Karl is a 38-year-old man who comes to the health center for cramps, pain, and weakness in both lower limbs that have lasted for 48 hours. He is a professional firefighter and practices sports regularly (athletics and cycling). The days before the clinical, he had been training for a long-term cycling race. Karl does not consume drugs or anabolic substances. 

Karl remembers feeling cramps and dehydration. He sweated a lot, felt cold many times and could not drink water. On a steep slope, he felt dizzy and lost control. He was injured and had an open wound in which he could see his bone. He had no fractures but did feel a lot of pain, and the doctors did have to suture the wound.

Step 2 - Respond

Answer the first 6 questions accurately, and then, for question 7, read the paragraph carefully and explain the situation in no more than 300 words.

1. What is the main component of skeletal muscles, and how does it aid in muscle contraction?
2. Describe the role of calcium in muscle contraction.
3. What is the process that activated Karl’s body at the moment of perspiring during the exercise?
4. What tissues were injured? How were they recovering?
5. How do treatments for muscle cramps differ depending on the cause of the cramps?
6. How can an understanding of the chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of an organization help in preventing and treating muscle cramps in athletes?
7. Karl refers to having been diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis 2 years ago. He was treated and has recovered since then. He asks for an explanation about what is happening with his body to understand better and avoid a serious condition. Karl is in his second year at a biochemistry university and can understand technical language. 
   

Step 3: Share 

To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 4: Interact

To complete the activity, you need to post a reply. Click “Reply” on the main discussion, and then click “Post to forum.”

OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”