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.