Wolff's law
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Wolff's law is a theory developed by the German Anatomist/Surgeon Julius Wolff (1835-1902) in the 19th century that states that bone in a healthy person or animal will adapt to the loads it is placed under. If loading on a particular bone increases, the bone will remodel itself over time to become stronger to resist that sort of loading. The converse is true as well: if the loading on a bone decreases, the bone will be adapted and become weaker.
[edit] Associated laws
In relation to soft tissue, Davis's Law explains how soft tissue remolds itself according to imposed demands.
[edit] Examples
- The racquet-holding arm bones of tennis players become much stronger than those of the other arm. Their bodies have strengthened the bones in their racquet-holding arm since it is routinely placed under higher than normal stresses.
- Astronauts who spend a long time in space will often return to Earth with weaker bones, since gravity hasn't been exerting a load on their bones. Their bodies have reabsorbed much of the mineral that was previously in their bones.
- Weightlifters can sustain more weight on their bodies not because of muscle but because of strengthened bone.
- Fighters will punch or kick objects with increasing intensity in order to increase their bone density, and to be able to cause more damage to their opponents.
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