Pages: 209

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 17

Knowledge of human functioning has changed greatly over the years. Chapter 1 introduces the reader to some interesting and significant findings and developments that have paved the way to the current world of exercise physiology. Initially, the work of early physiologists, such as Hippocrates and Aristotle, is outlined. Over the years, anatomical and physiological knowledge was built upon or challenged. Landmark achievements include the finding that blood circulates around the body rather than ebbs and flows; the development of the microscope; the discovery that air is made up of different parts; the use of exercise to promote health; the development of the Fick principle for measuring cardiac output; and the identification of how nerve impulses are transmitted. Nobel Prizes have been awarded for some of the outstanding work in exercise physiology.

Pages: 55

Understanding the role of nutrition is essential for any student of exercise physiology. Chapter 2 covers the major aspects of nutrition for exercise physiology, from the micro to the macro. On a chemical level, 26 elements are found within the human body, with certain ions and electrolytes responsible for human structure and functioning. Enzymes act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions which deliver the energy we need for living. Macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) are the three greatest sources of energy for the human body. Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are vital to optimal physiological function. Digestion is the absorption of macro- and micronutrients (either broken down for energy or synthesised for storage). The chapter ends with a discussion of the components of a healthy, balanced diet.

Pages: 17

Chapter 3 covers structural organisation and bodily function at a cellular level. The cell is the foundation of all living things and consists of the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm. A discussion follows on the concept of homeostasis (maintenance of a stable environment in the body) and the role cells play in this. We then learn about the four different types of tissue found in the body, focusing particularly on epithelial and connective tissue.

Pages: 27

Chapter 4 looks at the control systems in the human body: the primary role of the nervous system, and the secondary role of the endocrine system. Nervous tissue is made up of neurons (dendrites, cell bodies, and axons) and neuroglia. Nerves are located in bundles, and synapses form at neuronal junctions. The stimulation of a neuron results in the generation of electrical current. The nervous system is composed of the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord and is divided into the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) systems. The PNS is further divided into the afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) divisions, which contain the somatic and autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) pathways. The endocrine system, which acts slower than the nervous system, is composed of endocrine organs which contain hormones that regulate bodily function. Although the metabolic requirements of the body at rest are low, the nervous and endocrine systems play a larger role during exercise.

Pages: 45

Movement of the human body is elicited by the contraction of skeletal muscle pulling against a system of levers, the skeletal system. As we all know from everyday life and sports performance, the speed and force of a movement can vary depending on the situation. The structure and function of the skeletal system are covered in the first section of this chapter, including skeletal form and the physiology of bones, cartilage, and joints. In the second section we discuss the muscular system, including muscle structure (types and functions), muscular contraction (including neural stimulation), muscles and movement, and an anatomical review of major skeletal muscles in the body. In the final section, there is a brief focus on the response of skeletal muscle to acute exercise, in relation to the increased demands for oxygen and fuel substrates. The response to exercise will be covered in more detail in Part 2 of the textbook.

Pages: 46

The human body’s transport and exchange systems are vital for survival, constantly supplying oxygen and nutrients to, and removing waste products from, the body’s cells. The respiratory system functions to move air into the lungs, from where oxygen diffuses into the blood. The cardiovascular system then transports oxygen in the blood, alongside nutrients from the digestive system, to fuel all cells of the body. Simultaneous to the loss of oxygen and nutrients from the blood, carbon dioxide and other waste products move into the blood for removal. This chapter outlines the anatomy and physiology and the functional measurement of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Finally, the responses of these systems to the acute stress of exercise are discussed.

Pages: 228

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 20

This chapter provides an overview of key concepts that are essential to understanding sports and exercise physiology. In the first section we introduce ATP – adenosine triphosphate – and the basis for the energy systems which maintain ATP supplies to working muscle and, indeed, all cells in the body. We introduce the phosphagen system, which will be the focus of Chapter 8; glycolysis, covered in detail in Chapter 9; and the aerobic system, which is described in Chapters 10 and 11. The next section in the chapter looks at bioenergetics, how energy is stored and exchanged in the body – the rules of energy within the body that make ATP the petrol for our bodies. In the final section of the chapter, we provide an overview of enzymes and their role within the body – how they help reactions take place.

Pages: 43

This chapter concerns the physiology of explosive sports, defined as those which are power-based and those which require power endurance, both of which demand maximal effort for a short period of time (around 10 s). We will cover the energy supply needed for these sports (focusing on the body’s reliance on adenosine triphosphate and the phosphagen system) and the physiological demands they place on the body (including strength training, conditioning training, fatigue, and physiological adaptations). The chapter closes with a discussion of ergogenic aids, including steroids and creatine.

Pages: 35

In this chapter, the focus is upon sports that place significant demands on the glycolytic pathway, the second anaerobic energy generation mechanism. We will first discuss the energy supply required for speed endurance events, principally the role of glycolysis and lactate. Next, we will cover the physiology of endurance sports, including components of fitness, tests of anaerobic endurance, and conditioning. We then discuss the mechanisms behind muscle fatigue, including the role of pH, and end by describing physiological adaptations to anaerobic endurance training and ergogenic aids (including the role of nutrition).

Pages: 51

Aerobic endurance sports have always featured strongly in the media through competitions such as the Olympic Games, World Triathlon Championship, and well-known marathon races around the world. Focusing on the well-known relationship between the duration of an event and the intensity at which it can be completed, this chapter examines some of the key physiological concepts that can aid performance, such as VO2max, threshold points, and running economy. Monitoring performance is also an important aspect of high-intensity aerobic endurance sports, and different testing methods are described. Aspects related to training also feature both in terms of performance improvement and also reducing the risk of injury. As aerobic endurance sports are reported to have a higher prevalence of certain medical conditions, for example, upper-tract infections and respiratory diseases, the health aspects of these sports are described. Finally, the use of aerobic endurance sports and exercise is discussed in relation to ageing and the known effects of reducing all-cause mortality and chronic disease risk.

Pages: 39

The chapter focuses on lower-intensity aerobic endurance sports, beginning with an in-depth review of aerobic metabolism. When working aerobically, all macronutrients, fat, carbohydrate, and protein can contribute to ATP creation. After β oxidation, glycolysis, and deamination, respectively, each of the macronutrients enters Krebs cycle, and finally, the bulk of our ATP is realised through the electron transport chain. These reactions take place within the mitochondria. After this important section, the chapter goes on to examine the assessment of aerobic capacity.

Pages: 38

This chapter covers the physiology of intermittent sports, as the variation in exercise intensities within these sports places demands on both anaerobic and aerobic metabolic pathways. We will first cover the general physiology of intermittent exercise and summarise historical and recent research findings. Next, we will look at tests for intermittent sports players. The next section covers the role of fatigue, training, and recovery. We will then look at specific intermittent sports: football, rugby, Kī-O-Rahi, racquet sports, cricket, combat sports, and sailing. Finally, we examine ergogenic aids for intermittent sports.

Pages: 98

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 26

Getting the right training programme and plan in place to enhance fitness, performance, and health is a complicated process, but there are several guiding principles that can be followed to increase the chances of successful programme implementation. This chapter will provide an overview of the key concepts, such as introduction to training methodologies, exercise testing, and the principles of training. Aspects such as periodisation and the importance of understanding the importance of validity and reliability for any testing will be described. Examples in relation to strength and flexibility training are provided, as well as the benefits of a warm-up and cool-down. This chapter also features a ‘Sport in action’ interview with Dutch national triathlon coach John Hellemans about the theoretical and applied perspectives of implementing the training programme.

Pages: 20

This chapter provides an overview of the key concepts that are essential to applying physical activity (PA) prescriptions to people with complex medical conditions. It is likely that much of the physical activity prescription takes place in a hospital or community outreach setting, with significant medical input and involvement of patients. In recognition of the medical setting, we will refer to individuals with chronic complex medical conditions as patients but acknowledge that there is a significant movement to acknowledge the ‘person’ and their ‘lived experience’ of their disease and that the disease does not define the person. This is a crucial point to recognise, as it is important to consider the whole person, not just those aspects of the disease that are affecting the individual’s health, and is more akin to an integrated approach to healthcare. In this regard, exercise physiologists, alongside the medical profession, plus the allied health professionals, will have a significant role to play when interacting with the patient (person).

Pages: 17

In this chapter, the case for physical activity is outlined for a variety of chronic complex conditions ranging from cerebral palsy to depression. Whilst the evidence base, particularly in the form of randomised control trials, is sparse, there is some evidence of the benefits of aerobic, strength, and flexibility training. Based on evidence available, exercise appears safe when adjusted to the nature of the disease condition. The risks of physical activity are discussed and highlighted to ensure their impact is minimised. Finally, the effectiveness of physical activity guidelines, whether specifically generated for the disease condition or, if current guidelines, for general population, is discussed.

Pages: 33

After completing this chapter, you should be able to: Explain human thermoregulation. Describe the mechanisms of heat transfer. Discuss the effects of exercise in hot environments. Summarise the effects of exercising in cold environments. Teach others about the stages in water immersion and the effects on physiological functioning. Compare and contrast the physiological effects of hyperbaric and hypobaric environments on the physiological demands of exercise. In this the final chapter of this textbook, we discuss an interesting and important aspect of applied physiology, that of the environment, and its effects on physiological functioning. There are a wide number of sports that take place in potentially dangerous environments; outdoor education is a curriculum area within physical education in many countries, and many people live near potentially dangerous hazards, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. For physical educators who are involved in outdoor education programmes, or athletes and coaches involved in sports that take place in challenging conditions, an understanding of environmental threats to homeostasis is important to individual and group safety and health. This chapter provides a brief introduction to environmental physiology as it relates to involvement in sports that take place in a variety of environments. It begins with an introduction to thermoregulation, as this is an important aspect of homeostasis that can be threatened when exercising in some environments. Following this, we consider exercise in hot and cold environments, and the effects of water immersion, hypobaria, and hyperbaria on physiological functioning.