Exercise Physiology Lecture Note (Specialization)
Exercise Physiology Lecture Note (Specialization)
Exercise Physiology Lecture Note (Specialization)
Exercise Physiology
Md. Bakhtiar
BSc.PT(Bachelor of physiotherapy)
Faculty of Medicine, University of Dhaka.
Post grad. Diploma in Exercise physiology (BKSP-NU)
Training in Neuromedicine (BSMMU)
Master of Public Health (MPH), Islamic University.
Senior Research Officer (Exercise Physiology),
BKSP,Zirani,Savar,Dhaka.
Physiology
Physiology can be defined as one of the branches of natural science, which deals with; functional aspect
of living organism.
Exercise:
Exercise represents a subset of physical activity that is planed with a goal of improving or maintaining
fitness.
Series of muscular work or movement that is carried out in a sequential manner are called exercise
.This is economical, skillful, coordinated and graceful manner in order to fulfill a particular task.
Exercise physiology:
Study of how exercise alerts the structure and function of the human body. Exercise physiology is the
study, which deals with how the human body responds and adjusts to exercise.
Exercise physiology is an applied science that deals with various interaction and adjustment
physiologically before, after and during exercise.
Exercise physiology is an aspect of sports medicine that involves the study of how the body, forms a
functional standpoint,responds,adjust and adapts to exercise.
Now a day’s sports training purely based on science.Exercise physiology is one of the important subject
of that science.
Exercise physiology provides the physiological basis of physical education fitness and athlete
programme.
Exercise physiology provides the physiological basis of therapeutic exercise which is mostly important
for physiotherapy.
Exercise physiology gives us the knowledge about structure and function of various
types of muscle of human body.
It is helpful for understanding of the functional aspect of respiratory and cardiovascular system.
Exercise physiology is informative for sports and nutritional effect on sports performance.
It gives the knowledge about work and environment such as summer, winter humid and high altitude.
Physical fitness and its development-Exercise physiology gives the knowledge how to improve
strength,speed,endurance,flexibility and coordinative abilities.
Exercise physiology is helpful for scientific basis of training schedule and its evaluation.
It gives the knowledge about the effect of doping and alcohol on sports performance.
It is helpful to know the immediate and long term effect of physical training.
Exercise physiology is also important for right selection of activity for individual.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercise has enormous beneficial effects in our body. Physiologically, it benefits virtually every system
and cell of the body.Some of those are given below:
1.It increases the size of the muscle fibres,consequently increasing the muscle mass and muscular
activity in the body.
2.It increases bone calcium, thus helps in maintenance of bone mass, particularly in the later age and
post-menopausal women.
3.It increases cardiac output, increasing the stroke volume of the heart.It produces electric stability of
the heart muscles reducing the risk of cardiac arrhythmia.
4.It increases venous return.
5.It increases hemoglobin concentration in the blood, providing better oxygen carrying capacity.
6. It increases vascular resistance in the inactive muscles.
7.It inhibits the blood clotting processes and stickiness of the blood. contributing reduction in heart
attacks.
8.It increases oxygen pick up in the lungs.
9.It increases oxygen supply in the heart muscles and increases greater extraction of oxygen at the
peripheral level.
10.It strengthens the tendons,ligaments,muscles and other tissues around the joints,lubricating the
joint cartilages and capsules,maintaining proper flexibility of joints.Greater the flexibility of joints,lesser
will be the chances of injury.
11.It decreases resting heart rate.
12.It avoids senility-increases oxygen delivery of brain.
13.It activates the sympathetic nervous system and put the whole body on the alert.
14.It increases gastrointestinal tone.
15.It lowers the blood cholesterol,which is a majo risk factor in coronary heart disease,improving blood
high-density cholesterol (HDL), which is cardioprotetive.
16.It decreases blood triglycerides.
17.Blood pressure increases during exercise, but in the long run,it decreases the blood pressure.
18.It decreases insulin requirement,increases insulin Sensitivity thus ameliorates diabetes mellitus.
19.It increases glycogen storage.
20.It burns carbohydrate(suger)
21.It helps better control of hunger,increasing the level of leptin in the circulation.
22.It decreases body fat .It benefits the cardiovascular system by reducing body weight.
23.It enhances metabolic functions i.e.controling the body weight,thus preventing obesity.
24.It increases aerobic threshold.
25.It decreases stress(attitude).
26.It increases ability to handle stress(biochemical).
27.It improves resistance to cold.
28.It increases basal metabolic rate(BMR).
29.It decreases load on the heart.
30.It decreases muscle dependence on suger.
31.It increases emotional lift.
32.It helps in increased production of endorphins by the brain,which are nature’s own opiates.
33.The physical exercise has positive influence on the psychological functioning also. It reduces anxiety
and depression,thus elevates the mood.
34.It enhances the psychomotor development and capacity to face impediments.
35.It improves memory and increases self-esteem.
Skeletal Muscle
Human body contains over four hundred skeletal muscle, which constitute 40-50% of the total body
weight.
• Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tough connective tissue called tendon.
• One end of the muscle is attached to a bone4 that does not more (origin), while the opposite
end is fixed to a bone (insertion) that is moved during muscular contraction.
• Flexors: Muscles that decrease joint angles are called flexors.
• Extensors: Muscle that increase joint angles are called extensors
Skeletal muscle is made up of individual muscle fibres that are the “building block” of the muscular
system in the same sense that the neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system.
Most skeletal muscles begin and end in tendons, and the muscle fibres are arranged in parallel between
the tedious ends.
Muscles fascia
Individual muscles are separated from each other and held in a position by connective tissue
called fascia.
Muscle fibres:
Muscle fibre is a single cell that is multinucleated, long, cylindric and surrounded by a cell
membrane (sarcolemma).
Muscle fascicle:
Individual bundle of muscle fibres are called muscle fascicle.
• Epimysium: The outmost layer that surrounds the entire muscle in called epimysium
• Perimysium: Connective tissue inward from the epimysium is called perimysium. It surrounds
individual bundles of muscle fibers.
• Endomysium: Each mucle fibers within the fasciculus is surrounded by connective tissue is called
the endomysium.
1. Thick filaments:
2. Thin filaments:
Fibrous actin: Contains active sites that bind with myosin head and cause muscle contraction.
Tropomyosin: Fibre like protein which wraps helically around thin filament.
Troponin: Globular protein complex, which binds Ca++ and initiates contraction cycle, is a complex of 3
proteins.
The arrangement of central T tubule and terminal cisternae on each side of the T tubule is called
muscle triad.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum
Within the sarcoplasm the membranous channels that surround each myofibril and run parallel with it
are called the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
T tubules:
The membranous channels extend inward from the sarcolemma and pass completely through the fiber,
are called T tubules.
Terminal Cisternae
Transverse tubule passes between two enlarge portion of sarcoplasmic reticulum. The terminal part of
the sarcoplasmic reticulum is terminal cisternae
Neuromuscular junction
The side where the motor neuron and muscle cell meet is called the neuromuscular junction.
In the neuromuscular junction, the sarcolemma forms a pocket is called the motor end plate.
Neuromuscular cleft
The short gap between the end of the motor neuron and muscle fiber is called neuromuscular cleft.
The end of the motor neuron does not physically make contacted with the muscle fiber but it is
separated by a short gap.
Bio-Chemistry
Oxidative/glycolytic So(Slow Oxidative) FOG(FastOxidative FG(Fast
Glycolytic) Glycolytic)
Mysin ATPase Activity Low High High
Calcium Capacity Low Intermediate High
Glycolytic Capacity Low High High
Oxidative Capacity High Medium/High Low
Function &Contractility
Speed of action Slow Fast Fast
Fatiguability Low Mderate High
Force Capacity Low Intermediate High
Muscle twitch:
A single action potential causing a brief contraction followed by relaxation is called muscle twitch.
The disease myasthania gravis is an autommune disorder in which antibodies are produced against the
acetylcholine receptors. These antibodies destroy the acetylcholine receptors. So, though the
acetylcholine release is normal it cannot act because of the destruction of the receptors. The result is
inability to transmit signals from the nerve fibres to muscle fibres. Thus reduce the amplitude in end
plate potentials (EPPs).As a result the person becomes paralysed because of inadequate stimulation of
muscle fibre.
Rigor Mortis
The stiffness of muscle after death is called rigor mortis. Several hours after death all the muscle of the
body go into a state of contracture that is the muscle contracts and becomes rigid even without action
potentials.
This rigidity is due to destruction of all ATP and phospho-creatinine which is required to cause
separation of the cross bridges from the actomyosin complex during the relaxation process.
The muscle remain in rigor until the muscle proteins are destroyed, which usually results form autolysis
caused by enzymes released from the lysosomes (15 to 25 hours later) .The process occurring more
rapidly at higher temperature
Sliding filament theory of muscle contraction:
During muscular contraction the actin filaments slide over the myosin filaments forming the actomyosin
complex. There is no shortening, thickening or folding of the individual filaments.
As a muscle contracts,
The Z lines come closer together
The width of the I band varies in length
The width of the H zones decreases but
There is no change in the width of the A band.
Multicellular arrangement Cells (fibers) grouped Atrial and ventricular Single cells within a
into fascicles, which fibers separated by a connective tissue
comprise a whole connective tissue matrix
muscle sheath
Single fibers connected
a fibrous skeleton
Contraction mechanisms Actin and myosin Actin and myosin Calmodulin and
myosin
.
Aging:
The process of growing old involving the inability to reverse the gradual deterioration of cells important
to the life process.
Aging should not be viewed as a sickness but as a natural process that involves the gradual alteration
of body appearance function and tolerance to stress.
Aging has been defined as a progressive loss of physiologic capacities that culminates in death.
Life expectancy:
Chronological:
The age of a person expressed relative to time (usually years). Chronological age is best represented by
a person’s birth date.
Biological age:
The functional age of an individual based on physiologic conditioning. Biological age is assessed by such
variables as maximum oxygen uptake, bone mineral content, muscles strength or flexibility.
e.g A person who is 65 years of age may have a biological age of 45 based on that person’s fitness and
health status.
Longevity:
Heredity
Environmental factor
Availability of good health services
Appearance:
Graying of hair
Balding
Drying and winkling of skin
Nervous system:
Body composition/metabolosm:
Body function involving the contraction of one or more of the three types of muscle:
Speech Skeletal
Shivering Skeletal
Breathing Skeletal
Collectively, these problems have been called the “Female athlete triad”. Current evidence
suggests that these problems are interrelated and that one problem can potentially lead to
another. For example an eating disorder can lead to inadequate nutrient and calcium intake and
eating disorders are known to promote amenorrhea. Long-term amenorrhea can result in low
blood estrogen levels. The combination of inadequate calcium intake and low estrogen levels
can result in a loss of bone mineral content.
Anorexia Nervosa:
Anorexia nervosa is a state of starvation in which the individual becomes emaciated due to
refusal to eat. The psychological cause of anorexia nervosa is unclear but it seems to be linked
to an unfounded fear of fatness that may be related to family or social pressure to be thin.
Currently it is estimated that the incidence of anorexia nervosa is as high as one out of every
200 adolescent girls.
Bulimia:
Bulimia is over eating (called binge eating) followed by vomiting (called purging) the bulimic
repeatedly ingests large quantities of food and then forces herself to vomit in order to prevent
weight gain.
Bulimia may result in damage to the teeth and the oesophagus due to vomiting of stomach
acids.
Elevation in core temperature is the primary stimulus to promote heat acclimatization. In order to
promote higher core temperatures the athlete is recommended for strenuous interval training or
continuous exercise (intensity >50% V02).
HEART: The human heart is true wonder of nature, its 100000 beats per day allows us to live and
breath.
Heart is the central pumping organ it receives and pumps out blood to the whole body.
a. Atrial muscle
b. Ventricular muscle
c. Specialized excitatory and conductive muscle fibers
Penetrating portions
Distal portions
1. Automaticity
2. Autorhythmicity
3. Conductivity
4. Excitability
5. All or none law
6. Frank starling law
7. Refractory period
8. Functional syncytium
Circulation: it is the process of blood and lymph flow through a close system of vessels, called
circulation.
Types of circulation:
a. Systemic circulation or greater circulation
b. Pulmonary or lesser circulation
c. Portal circulation
Rt atrium
Tricuspid value
Rt ventricle
Lt atrium
Bicuspid valve
Lt ventricle
Arch of aorta
Body
Venous Return:
It is the amount of blood that comes from periphery to right atria of heart in each minute. It is equal to
cardiac out put.
It is about 5 liters/min.
Cardiac cycle:
The cardiac events that occur from the beginning of one heart beat to the beginning of the next are
called the cardiac cycle.
1. In atria:
(i) Atrial systole: 0.1second
(ii) Atrial diastole: 0.7 second
2. In ventricle:
(i) Ventricular systole: 0.3 second
(ii) Ventricular diastole: 0.5 second
Ventricular systole:
(i) Iso volumetric (isometric) contraction phase: 0.02 to 0.05 second
(ii) Rapid ejection phase
(iii) Reduced ejection phase.
Ventricular diastole:
a. Proto diastolic phase: 0.04 second
b. Isometric (volumetric) relaxation phase: 0.03 to 0.06 second
c. Filling phase: 0.4 second
(i) First rapid filling phase
(ii) Slow filling phase
(iii) Last rapid filling phase
1. Changes in pressure:
Intra-ventricular pressure change
Intra atrial pressure change
Pressure changes within aorta
Pressure changes within Pulmonary artery
2. Changes in volume:
Atrial volume change
Ventricular volume change
3. Production of heart sound and apex beat
4. Production of pulse and appearance
5. Electrical change
6. Electro cardiogram (ECG) changes
7. Systemic, pulmonary and coronary circulation changes
Pressure changes in ventricle during cardiac cycle:
Cardiac reserve:
The maximum percentage that the cardiac output can increase about the normal level is called the
cardiac reserve.
Normal value:
Example: During severe exercise the cardiac output of the healthy young adult can rise to about five
times normal; this is an increase above normal of 400 percent that is a cardiac reserve of 400 percent.
Any factor that prevents the heart from pumping blood satisfactorily decreases the cardiac reserve.
Heart sound:
The vibratory motion of heart produced during the different events of cardiac cycle conducts through
the structure surrounding the heart and produces special audible sound called heart sound.
Cause: caused by vibration set up by the sudden closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves at the start
of ventricular systole.
Identification point:
Importance or significance:
Cause: Caused by vibrations associated with closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves just after the
end of ventricular systole.
Identification point
Definition: Apex beat is the lowest and outer most point of definite cardiac pulsation.
Location: In the 5th intercostal space 9cm from the midsternal line just medial to the left nipple.
Importance:
1. Measurement of heart rate
2. Position of heart whether dextro cardia or not
3. Different heart disease diagnosis
4. Displacement of mediustinum due to pneumo thorax, pleural, effusion left ventricular
hypertrophy etc.
Heart rate:
2. Respiration: Heart rate increases during inspiration particularly in children and decreares
during expiration.
4. Temperature: Increase body temperatures increases heart rate by directly stimulating the
S.A node
5. Intra cranial pressure: Increase intra cranial pressure stimulates cardio inhibitory centre
and causes slowing heart rate.
Hemodynamics:
Hemodynamic is the study of the factors that determine the blood flow and BP in the body.
Blood flows in the vascular system from a higher to the lower pressure.
(ii) Turbulent
Blood pressure:
The lateral pressure exerted by the blood per unit area of vessel wall while flowing through it is called
BP.
BP= CO x TPR
Unit of BP
Unit is mm of Hg.
Average 120 mm of Hg
Diastolic pressure: 60 – 90 mm of Hg
Average 80 mm of Hg
1. Infant : 60/30 mm of Hg
2. 1 year : 80/40 mm of Hg
3. 3 years : 100/60 mm of Hg
4. 20 years : 120/80 mm of Hg
5. 45 years : 145/90 mm of Hg
6. 70 years : 170/95 mm of Hg
Blood pressure measurement (method):
Systolic pressure:
Average: 120 mm of Hg
Significance:
Diastolic pressure:
It is about 60 - 90 mm of Hg
Average: 80 mm of Hg
Significance:
It is about: 30 – 60 mm of Hg
Significance:
(arterial volume)
Mean pressure:
Significance:
3. In pregnancy: Blood volume both plasma and corpuscles increase which increases cardiac output
thus blood pressure is raised.
Factors that influence blood pressure:
a. Cardiac output
b. Peripheral resistance
c. Others:
1. Age: Increases with age
2. Sex: In female slightly lower (5mm of HG). After menopause it reaches male level.
3. Build: The systolic pressure is usually high in an obese person
4. Exercise: Systolic Pressure rises; diastolic pressure is usually a lower.
5. Posture: During standing diastolic pressure is slightly higher; systolic pressure lowers. In
recumbent position this condition is reversed.
6. Diurnal Variation: During daytime pressure rises up to 2-0 clock and then there is a slight fall.
In case of night workers the blood pressure rises during morning
7. During deep sleep there is fall of blood pressure by 15 – 20 mm of Hg
8. After meal: increased up to 20mm of Hg
9. Emotion and excitement: systolic pressure increase
10 Respiration: Falls during most part of inspiration.
When the pressure in blood vessels become too high they become stretched keep or stretching more
and more for minutes or hours as a result the pressure in the vessels falls toward normal. This
continuing stretch of the vessels called stress relaxation can serve as an intermediate term pressure
buffer.
Food and Nutrition
Food
Any material that provides the nutritive requirements of an organism to maintain growth and well-being
is called food.
Constituents of food:
a. Proteins
b. Fats
c. Carbohydrates
d. Vitamins
e. Minerals, and
f. Water
Energy yielding foods i.e. foods provides energy e.g., food rich in fat and carbohydrate
Body building foods i.e. food responsible for normal body growth e.g. protein
Protective foods i.e. foods responsible for protection of the body from various diseases e.g.
proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
1. Energy sources
Nutrition:
The study of the foods and liquids the body needs for optimal functioning.
Nutrition is the life-sustaining process by which elements of nature are assimilated and used:
Good Nutrition
Good nutrition means maintaining a nutritional status that enables us to grow well and enjoy good
health.
Carbohydrates
Daily requirement: 400 -- 600gm
Minimum daily intake: 50 -- 100 (To prevent ketosis)
Disaccharides
Sucrose : Table sugar, maple syrup. (glucose + Frucrose)
Nutrients: are organic and inorganic complexes contained in food that is essential for the growth and
maintenance of normal cells.
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats
Alcohols
Micronutrients: Essential food components those are required only in small quantities.
Micronutrients are those essential nutrients whose daily requirement is less than 100 mg.
Micronutrients generally as
-Coenzymes or cofactors in metabolic reactions,
-Gene activators, or
-Free radical scavengers.
Macronutrients are those essential nutrients whose daily requirement is more than 100 mg.
Macronutrients serve
-As the backbone of all physiological processes involving proteins sugar, eicosanoids, phospholipids, or
steroid.
- It serves for muscle contraction.
-Enzyme catalysis.
- Interellular and intercellular communication,
-And vascular transport.
Macronutrients: Micronutrients
Carbohydrates Vitamins
Protein Some minerals particularly
Fat Trace elements:
Some mineral Iodine
Ca++ -Iron
Na+ -Zinc
K+ - Copper
Mg++ - Cobalt
CI- - Manganese
PO43-
Skin : shiny
Hair : glossy
Eyes : bright
Body build : Well developed muscles and bones
Appearance : Strong build and energetic
Function of carbohydrates
1. Carbohydrates are the main of the mammalian tissues and universal fuel of the fetus
2. Provides two – third energy of the body
3. Prevent ketosis and loss of muscle protein
Vitamins:
Minerals:
Carbohydrates
Daily requirement: 400 – 600gm
Minimum daily intake: 50 – 100gm (To prevent ketosis)
Disaccharides
Sucrose: Table sugar maple syrup. (Glucose + Frustose)
Maltose: Beers
Glucose + glucose
Polysaccharides
Starch: Wheat, Rice, Potato dried peas and beans.
Functions of Carbohydrates:
Fibres :
Fibres are non-starch polysaccharide (NSP). The principal chasses of fibres are:
The colonic bacteria producing gas and valatib fatty acids mainly breakdown fibres (Non stanch
pohysaccharide)
Because – Animals proteins have a high biological value due to contain all the essntial aminsccids
proteins from plant sources have a lower biological value.
Classification of protein
Functions of proteins:
- Protein synthesis
- Mainteance of nitogen bolance
- bioligic value of protein
Phenylalanine
Valine
Tryptophan
Threonine
Isoleicine
Methionine
Histidine
Achinine
Leucine
Lysine.
Fats
Daly requirements: 10 – 20gm
Every value: 9.3 kale/gm
Composition of dietary fats:
Triglyurol (TG) {> 90%}
Cholesterol and cholesterol ester
Phospholipids and
Unesterified (“Free”) fatty
acids (UFAS)
Sounccs of fats
Animal fat
Butter, Lard
Ohee, milk Saturated fatty ands
Vegetable fat
Coconut oil
Palm oil Saturated fatty ands
Soyabean oil
Corn oil Polyunsaturated
Canula oil fatty acids.
Function of fat:
1. Lipids acts as the dietary vehicle for the lipid solule vitamins
2. Lipid suoolies essential polyunsa tureted fatty acids
3. Lipid proides a significan proportion of the dietary requirement for energy
4. Phospholipids and cholesterol maintain cell membrave integrity
5. Helps in formation of myelinsheath
1. Linoleic
2. Linolenic
Anachidonic acid may be formed from linoleic acid and is not essenmtial.
Calcium
Major body functions Required for strong teeth and bone formation.
Maintenance of good muscle tone and heart beat,
Required for blood clotting
Necessary for Nerve transmission
Deficiency Stunted growth
Bone pain and fractures
Rickets, Osteoporosis
Convulsions
Muscle cramps
Excess Not reported in humans
Phosphorus
Major body functions Required for strong teeth and bone formation.
Energy release regulation
Acid-Base balance
Deficiency Weakness
Demineralization of bone
Loss of calcium
Potassium
During endurance exercise (events lasting longer than 90 minutes or continuous effort) The best fluid
replacement beverage is that tastes good doesn’t cause gastric upset and provides a source of
carbohydrate for energy.
Sports drinks taste good and thus stimulate voluntary fluid intake. The major benefit of consuming
sports drinks is to supply carbohydrate to help maintain blood glucose levels and to delay fatigue during
events lasting longer than 1hour. For most athletes who are exercising for 1 hour or less in moderate
temperature plain water or sports drinks meet the athlete’s needs.
Studies show that commercial sport beverages containing 4 – 8 % carbohydrate in the forms of
glucose, glucose polymers or sucrose are all absorbed quickly and help maintain blood glucose levels
during exercise. If beverages containing fructose level high enough may cause cramps, diarrhoea and
nausea in some athletes.
Energy:
Energy is regarded as the capacity to do work.
Forms of energy:
There are five forms of energy that are relevant to exercise physiology. These are:
4.Electrical energy: It reflects the work needed to move electrically charged particles
against the forces produced by electric fields.
Energy currency
Energy is used by the body for its various physiological purposes. The rate at which energy is use varies
greatly with different physical activities. Exercise increases this rate. In fact it is the function of
metabolism to provide this energy. Energy sources are stored metabolized and utilized by the body.
Food particles are ingested absorbed and finally metabolized and transfer their chemical energy into
high-energy phosphate bonds in adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) which can be regarded as the energy
currency of our body. During physical activities the enzyme ATPase breaks the high-energy bond in ATP
and makes the energy available for muscular contraction.
Activity Cal/Kg/hr
Sitting and standing 1.7
The major sources of energy in our body are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. They are provided by
nutrients that must be digested and absorbed into the body.
Carbohydrates:
They are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules. They may be divided into:
2. Disaccharides: They are formed when pairs of monosaccharides are linked together. The
main Disaccharides in the diet are sucrose, lactose and maltose. Sucrose is comprised of
glucose plus fructose. Lactose is comprised of glucose plus galactose. And maltose is comprised
of glucose plus glucose.
3. Polysaccharides: They are large complex molecules that consist of many units of
monosaccharides linked together. Starch is a Polysaccharides made by plant cell from units of
glucose and glycogen is a Polysaccharides made by animal cells from units of glucose.
Fats:
Fat is a major source of energy in the resting state and during prolonged low- intensity exercise. It is
obtained mainly from the diet, but can also be synthesized in the body from carbohydrate. If excess fat
is supplied in the diet, this may be stored as fat reserves in the body.
Proteins:
During exercise, quantitatively, protein is a less important fuel than either carbohydrate or fat Protein
generally accounts for less than 2% of the fuel metabolism during exercise of less than one hour’s
duration; during prolonged exercise, protein can account for as much as 10% of the total energy usage.
The immediate source of energy for muscular contraction is the high-energy phosphate ATP.
Formation of ATP without the use of O2 is termed anaerobic metabolism in contrast production of ATP
using O2 as the final electron acceptor is referred to as aerobic metabolism
Muscle cell can produce ATP by any one or combination of three metabolic pathways:
The ATP – PC system and glycolysis are two anaerobic metabolic pathways that are capable of
producing ATP without O2
The Biological energy Cycle
All energy in our solar system originates in the sun. Where does this energy is called Solar energy.
Actually this energy arises from nuclear energy. Some of this nuclear energy reaches the earth as
sunlight or light energy.
The millions of green plant that populate our earth store a portion of this energy from the sunlight in
still another form-chemical energy.
In turn this chemical energy is utilized by green plants to build food molecules such as glucose
cellulose. Proteins and lipids from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). This process whereby green
plants manufacture their won food is called photosynthesis.
We on the other hand are not capable of doing this. We must eat plant and other animals for our food
supplies. We are therefore directly dependent on plant life and ultimately on the sun for our energy.
Food in the presence of O2 is broken down to CO2 and H2O with the liberation of chemical energy by a
metabolic process called respiration.
The sole purpose of metabolic respiration is to supply the energy we need to carry out such biological
processes as the chemical work of growth and the mechanical work of growth and mechanical work of
muscular contraction.
The same basic metabolic systems are present in muscle as all other parts of the body. These important
metabolic systems are-
The combined amount of cell ATP and cell phosphocreatinine are called phosphagen energy system.
This energy system can provide maximum muscle power for 8-10 seconds, Almost energy for the 100-
meter dash.
ATP: The basic source of energy for muscle contraction is Adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) which contain
the following formula-
The bonds attaching the last two phosphate radicals to the molecule, designated by the symbol (∼) are
high-energy phosphate bond.
Each of this bond stores 7300 calories of energy per mole of ATP under standard conditions when one
phosphate radical is removed from the molecule. 7300 calories of energy is released and that can be
used to energize the muscle contractile process and same for the second phosphate molecule.
Removal of phosphate radical converts the ATP into ADP (Adenosine di- phosphate) and removal of the
second, converts this ADP into Adenosine mono phosphate (AMP).
Phosphocreatinine also called creatinine phosphate (CP) it is another chemical compound that has a
high-energy phosphate bond. That has following formula-
Creatinine ∼ po3-__
This can decompose to creatinine and phosphate ion and in doing so release large amount of energy. In
fact the high energy phosphate bond of phosphocreatinine has more energy than the bond of ATP
(10,300 calories permole)
Special characteristics of energy transfer from phosphocreatinine to ATP within a small fraction of a
second. Therefore, all the energy stored in the muscle phosphocreatinine instantaneously available for
muscle contraction, just as the energy stored at ATP.
The stored glycogen in muscle can be split into glucose then used for energy. The initial stage of this
process is called glycolysis. This occurs without use of oxygen and therefore is said to be anaerobic
metabolism.
During glycolysis, each glucose molecule is split into pyruvic acid molecules and energy is released to
form ATP molecule. Ordinarily the pyruvic acid enters into the mitocondria of the muscle cells and
reacts with oxygen to form still many more ATP molecules. How ever when there is insufficient oxygen
for this second stage (the oxidative stage) of glucose metabolism most of the pyruvic acid converted
into lactic acid.
(Lactic acid defuse from blood & interstitial fluid)
Therefore in effect much of the muscle glycogen becomes tactic acid and considerable amounts of ATP
are formed entirely without the consumption.
Under optimal conditions, this anaerobic glycolysis mechanism (i.e. – glycogen lactic acid system) can
provide energy for short to mrdium periods of muscle contraction. The period of muscle contraction is
1.3 to 1.6 min.
The aerobic system means the oxidation of food staffs in the mitochondria to provide energy. Glucose,
fatty acid and anino acids from the food after some intermediate processing combined with 02 to
release tremendous amount of energy. This energy are used to convert AMP and ADP into ATP. This
system is used for prolonged athletic activity.
The brief overview of important metabolic system that supply energy for muscle
contraction-
1. Definition: ATP (Addeosine triphosphate) is a high energy phosphate compound which is the
strong form of energy in the body.
2. Composition:
a) Adenine
b) Ribose
c) Phosphates.
3. Source:
a) Oxidative phosphory lation
b) Glycolysis
c) TCA cycle.
4. Functions It helps in
a) Synthetic process
b) Muscular contraction
c) Nerve conduction
d) Active transport
e) Secretion by the gland.
5. Role of ATP is metabolism: Removal of each phosphate radicle liberates 12000 cals of energy.
After loss of one phosphate from ATP the compound becomes ADP and after losing of the
second phosphate radicle the compound becomes AMP.
ATP + +
ATP
In the living cell, the principal high-energy intermediate or carrier compound is adenosine triphosphate
(ATP)
ATP: is a nucleotide triphosphate containing adenine, ribose and three phosphate groups.
ATP: plays a central role in the transference of free energy from the exergonic to the endergonic
process.
2mg-ATP 2mg-ADP+pi
ATP: The turnover over rate of ATP is very high. In humans, an amount of ATP approximately equal to
the body weight is formed and broken down every 24 hours.
ATP: The rapidity of ATP turnover precludes its use as a storage from of energy.
Motor Unit:
Each motor neuron that leaves spinal cord innervates many different muscle fibres, the number
depending on the type of muscle.
All the muscle fibers innervated by a single motor nerve fiber are called a motor unit.
In general small muscles that react rapidly and whose control must be exact have few muscle fibers (as
few as two to three in some of the laryngeal muscles) in each motor unit.
On the other hand, the large muscles that do not require very fine control such as the soleus muscle,
may have several hundred muscle fibers in a motor unit.
An average figure for all the muscles of the body is questionable but a good guess would be about 100
muscle fibers to the motor unit.
The muscle fibers in each motor unit are not bunched together in a muscle but instead overlap other
motor units in microbundles of 3 to 15 fibers. This interdigitation allows the separate motor units to
contract in support of one another rather than entirely as individual segments.
Muscle Fatigue
Prolonged and strong contraction of a muscle leads to the well-known state of muscle fatigue. Studies
in athletes have shown that muscle fatigue increases in almost direct proportion to the rate of depletion
of muscle glycogen. Therefore most fatigue probably results simply from inability of the contractile and
metabolic processes of the muscle fibers to continue supplying the same work output.
However, experiments have also shown that transmission of the nerve signal through the
neuromuscular junction diminishes after prolonged muscle activity thus further diminishing muscle
contraction.
Interruption of blood flow through a contracting muscle leads to almost compete muscle fatigue in 1 or
more minutes because of the loss of nutrient supply, especially loss of oxygen.
All the muscles of the body are continually being remodeled to match the functions that are required of
them.
Composition:
2. Main constituents:
A) Plasma (55%)
Organic Inorganic
Plasma protein Na
Enjymes K
Hormones Ca
Antibodies Mg
Clotting factors Fe
Fat Cl
Glucose etc.
Functions:
A non pathological enlarged heart often found in endurance athlete. It is the result of LVH (left
ventricular hypertrophy) in response to training. This is common in athletes who exercise more than an
hour almost every day and occasionally in heavy weight trainers.
Mechanism:
Left ventricular volume (i.e. the walls stretch more when filled with blood)
• Natural physical Adaptation occurs in the athlete’s heart due to regular exercise.
• Endurance training improves heart performance by increasing left ventricular volume and
cardiac contractility.
Sports persons are directly involved in regular physical exercise to enhance their performances in
competition of different levels. Exercise physiology laboratory which is the most important in this field,
because study about exercise, how it creates impact on human body, that is exercise physiology.
To find out the physiological changes or responses, various interaction and adjustments physiologically
before, during and after exercise are the aim of this department.
We are spending most of our study time examining work physiology how the body reacts to various
training regimes, how the adaptation process take place, factors that can limit adaptation and so on.
In this department, periodical evaluations of BKSP students were done on the basis of Energy Index
and Vertical jump. This is capable of proving the individual sportsman or woman with a very elaborate
evaluation profile.
The Barach Energy Index has been utilized for over fifty years. This test was devised to measure the
amount of energy expended by the heart. The items measured are the pulse rate, the systolic pressure
and the diastolic pressure. These measures are taken while the subject is seated and after consistent
consecutive readings have been obtained.
to correlate fairly well with a measure of cardiac output which consisted of heart stroke volume for an
all –out run on a treadmill divided by body surface area.
Example: An individual has a blood pressure reading of 124/82 and a resting pulse rate of 75. His
energy index is:
(124+82) x75
Energy Index = = 154.5
100
Barach indicated that healthy persons could be expected to have scores of about 110 to 160. Individuals
scoring over 200 were considered to be hyper tensed and persons scoring below 90 were considered
hypo tensed. Hunsicker found the Barach energy Index
THE MEASUREMENT OF POWER
Power may be identified as the ability to release maximum force in the faster possible time, as is
exemplified in the vertical jump, the broad jump the short put and other movements against a
resistance in a minimum of time.
The measurement of power in physical education has recently become controversial enough to warrant
recognition of two types of such measurement. The two types are identified as follows:
Athletic Power Measurement: This type of measurement is expressed in terms of the distance
through which the body or an object is propelled through space. Such tests as the Sargent jump broad
jump and medicine ball put are both practical and common tests of athletic power. While such tests
involve both force and velocity other factors also influence testing results. However the factors of force
and velocity are not measured as such thus only the resultant distance (inches or feet) is recorded in
athletic power measurement.
Objective: Using a double- foot take off o jump vertically as high as possible with maximum effort.
Equipment: A smooth wall of sufficient height a yardstick and chalk, weight scales are required for the
test. The subject must be dressed in shorts, light shirt, and no shoes.
Direction: Record the performer’s weight and them have him assume a standing position facing
sideways to the jump board the preferred arm behind the back (hand grasping top of shorts at the
back) and the other arm raised vertically with the hand turned outward and fingers extended. Holding
the described position the performer should stand as tall as possible on the toes so that the height of
the extended middle finger of the raised arm can be recorded. Chalk dust is then placed on the middle
finger and the performer adopts a fill squat position with head and back erect and body in balance. The
performer’s is then told to jump as high as possible (using only the legs) and to touch the board at the
top of the jump. The tester must watch and disregard any jump in which balance or position is lost. The
tester should recover the height of the chalk mark on the jump board. Each performer is allowed three
trials. On the last trial the tester should say, “This is your last jump. Try to beat your last two jumps.”
Scoring: Using the measure of the best jump (difference between the reaching height and jumping
height).
Norms: Vertical jump norms for boys and girls are listed in Table-1
Table-1
Percentile 13 14 15 16 17
Girls
95 14.0 14.5 15.25 15.25
75 11.75 12.25 13 13
50 10.25 10.75 11.75 11.75
25 09 9.5 10.25 10.25
05 6.75 7.25 8.00 8.00
During steady state exercise,aerobic metabolism is reached to the energy requirements of the active
muscles.Under these conditions there is little or no accumulation of blood lactate.
The term lactate threshold refers to the highest exercise intensity or level of oxyzen uptake that is not
avouted with an elevation in blood lactate concentration above the pre-exercise level(or an increase less
than 10mm).
The region in which blood lactate shows a systemic increase equal to or above than a level of 4.0mm is
termed the point of Onset of Blood Lacate Accomulation or simply OBLA.
Often the term lactate threshold and OBLA are used interchangeably although their precise points of
demarcation in terms of exercise intensity are operationally different.
OBLA implies a maximum exercise intensity that a person can sustain for a prolonged period.In reality
,this maximum stable lactate level is probably quite variable among individuals.
Beneath the skin is a layer of subcutaneous fat and the percentage of total body fat can be
measured by taking the skin fold at selected sites on the body. Only equipment needed is a pair of
calipers.
• All the skin fold measurements were taken on the dominant side at the body and were
recorded in millimeters.
• The skin fold was picked up between the thumb and the index finger so as to include
two thicknesses of skin and subcutaneous fat.
• The calipers were applied about 1 cm from the fingers and at a depth about equal to
the thickness to the fold.
• The procedure was repeated three times and the average was recorded.
Durnin and Rahaman have suggested the following sites for taking the skin fold measurements.
While taking measurements the subjects was standing in anatomical position.
• Triceps: The skin fold was taken midway between the top of the shoulder and the tip of the
elbow.
• Biceps: The skin fold was taken at a point midway between the elbow and the armpit.
• Subscapular: The skin fold was taken just below the tip of the shoulder blade at an angle of 450
to the inferior angle of scapula.
• Suprailiac: The skin fold was taken just above the crest at the hip.
All the four measurements were recorded in millimeters and summed up. With the help of a
ready reckoner, the body composition was estimated.
Factors influencing training effects:
Intensity of training :
It represents the degree of effort made by the sports person while performing an exercise.
The degree of effort is always considered in relation to time .
It is equated with the amount of force or energy spent in relation to time.
Density of intensity:
The intensity of stimulus can be describe by speed in a cyclic exercise,amount of load during muscle
strength exercise,the pace of game and frequency of movement.
The intensity of stimulus is always expressed in percentage in relation to the maximum possible
intensity i.e 100%.
Density of stimulus:
The duration of stimulus refers to the duration of recovery phages between two motor stimuli and sets
of motor stimuli.
It is also termed as the ratio between the phages of load and recovery.
(It is the rest period between two stimuli).
Doping
Doping is the work used in sport when atheletes use prohibited substances or methods to unfairly
improve their sporting performance.
Doping is the use of substances or the employment of means in an attempt to augment artificially the
performance of an athlete, during, either participation or preparation.
Doping is the deliberate or inadvertent use by an athlete of a substances or method prohibited by the
IOC.
1.Doping undermines the fundamental joy of sport and our collective persuit of human and sporting
excellence.
2.To protect atheletes from the unfair advantage which may gained by doping.
3.To prevent from the possible harmful side effects.
4.Doping severely damages the integrity,image and value of sport.
5.To achieve integrity and fairness in sport.
6.The distribution and prohibited substances(eg anabolic agents) may be illegal in many countries,if not
for a medical justified reason.
THE PRE-COMPETITION MEAL
Examples include spaghetti, pasta, ravioli, noodles, macaroni, breads (rolls, whole or multi-grain
sliced breads, bagels), rice (preferable brown or wild), potatoes (russet and sweet), pancakes, cereals
(hot & cold), crackers and carrots. Fresh fruits and low-fat granola bars are also good choices for pre-
comp meals.
• Limit fats and oils
• Restrict high sugar foods
• Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine
• Avoid foods that produce gas (i.e. certain raw vegetables, certain fruits, or certain
beans, high fiber foods)
• Avoid foods that may cause acid reflux (i.e. spicy foods)
• Avoid drinking carbonated beverages
• Avoid eating food that are unfamiliar to you and your body is not accustom to digesting
• Drink plenty of fluids with your pre-comp meal
The pre-competition meal is extremely important, but will not work miracles for the athlete
in terms of competition performance. The pre-comp meal and the competition performance are
set up by sound nutrition habits days, weeks, and months before the competition.
Primary Factors that Affect Athletic Performance
-Genetics
-Training
-Nutrition
Nutrient Distribution
Each meal should contain the following estimated calories from the 3 fuel sources
55-65% carbohydrates
15-20% protein
20-25% fat
Sources of Protein
Amount Grams of Protein
Milk (1 cup) 8 grams
Tuna (1 oz) 7 grams
Meat (1oz) 7 grams
Egg (1) 7 grams
Cheese (1 oz) 7 grams
Beans (1/2 cup) 7 grams
Signs of Dehydration
-Thirst
-General discomfort
-Headache
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Heat sensation in head or neck
-Chills
-Decreased performance
-Dizziness
-Confusion
After entering into the blood,oxygen is transported as dissolved state in the plasma(about 3%) which is
called dissolved oxygen.
The amount of dissolved oxygen in the arterial blood at PO2 95mmHg approximately(0.27-
0.3)ml/100ml of blood.
Oxyhaemoglobin:
O2 difuses into red blood cells and combines reversebly with the haemoglobin and thus form
oxyhaemoglobin .
This reaction is oxygenation not an oxidation because it is non-enzymatic reaction.Oxidaized
haemoglobin is useless for the biological carriage of O2.
O2 combine resersibly with the iron porphyrin complex of 4 heme units of Hb.So each Hb can combines
with 4 molecules of O2.
Hb4+O2- Hb4O2
Hb4O2+O2- Hb4O4
Hb4O4+O2- Hb4O6
Hb4O6+O2- Hb4O8
(i.e. Hb is 100%saturated)
Structure of the Respiratory Tract:
Bronchi:From the trachea air enters into the lungs through bronchi.
Acinus:The acinus is the gas exchange unit of the lungs.Each acinus comprises:
a.Respiratory bronchioles liading to.
b.Alveolar ducts,Alveolar sacs and
c.Alveoli.
Altitude Acclimatization:
Physiological adjustment through continued exposure to attitude and which significantly improve
performance are called acclimatization.For unacclimatizatized person,additional oxygen is essential at
above the sea level(18000feet/5488m).
Longer you remain at altitude better becomes your performance.But that is not equal at the sea
level.This improve performance during staying at altitude is brought about through acclimatization.Time
for the acclimatization depends on the altitude.e.g.
It depends on individuals ,some people will never acclimatization and they suffer mountain or altitude
sickness.
The symptoms of altitude sicknesss are-
a.Pulmonary edema.
b.Nausea
c.Vomiting
d.Headache
e.Rapid pulse
f.Loss of appetite
g.Congestion of lungs.
The main reason for less performance at altitude is a consequence of the lowered O2 pertial pressure(
PO2).This lowered PO2 results to hypoxia .Hypoxia stimulates the acclimatization mechanism depending
upon the altitude and duration of stay.
The amount of pressure exerted by the individual gas in a gas mixture,which is directly proportionate to
the concentration(i.e. number) of gas molecule in that mixture.
Transport of O2 by blood:
Partial pressure of oxygen in the lung alveoli is 104mmHg and in the arterial blood is 95mmHg.Due to
this pressure gradient(104-95=9mm of Hg),O2 goes from alveoli to arterial blood.
The partial pressure of O2 in arterial blood is 95mmHfg and in the tissue fluid level is 40mmHg.So,O2
enters into the tissue fluid at the pressure gradient of(95-40=55mm Hg)
The partial pressure of O2 in the tissue fluid is 40mmHg and in the cell is 23mmHg.So,O2 diffuses from
tissue to cell at the pressure gradiant of(40-23=17mmHg).
Transport of Carbon-dioxide:
The pressure of CO2 in cell is 46mmHg and in the tissue it is 45mmHg .So, CO2 diffuse out of the cell
and enters into tissue due to pressure gradiant (46-45)=1mmHg.
The pressure of CO2 in the arterial end pulmonary capacity is 45mm of Hg and in the alveoli is
40mmHg.So,CO2 enters into the alveoli due to pressure gradiant of(45-40)=5mmHg.
BLOOD
Definition:
Blood is a specialized connective tissue, composed of fluid portion-plasma and the cellular elements,
circulating through the cardiovascular system and carrying the substances essential for living.
Properties-5
Composition:
2. Main constituents:
A) Plasma (55%)
Organic Inorganic
Plasma protein Na
Enjymes K
Hormones Ca
Antibodies Mg
Clotting factors Fe
Fat Cl
Glucose etc.
Functions:
A non pathological enlarged heart often found in endurance athlete. It is the result of LVH (left
ventricular hypertrophy) in response to training. This is common in athletes who exercise more than an
hour almost everyday and occasionally in heavy weight trainers.
Mechanism:
Left ventricular volume (i.e. the walls stretch more when filled with blood)
• Natural physical Adaptation occurs in the athlete’s heart due to regular exercise.
• Endurance training improves heart performance by increasing left ventricular volume and
cardiac contractility.
Fitness can be measured by the volume of oxygen you can consume while exercising at your maximum
capacity.
VO2max is the maximum amount of oxygen in millilitres, one can use in one minute per kilogram of
body weight.
Those who are fit have higher VO2max values and can exercise more intensely than those who are not
as well conditioned.
Numerous studies show that you can increase your VO2max by working out at an intensity that raises
your heart rate to between 65 and 85% of its maximum for at least 20 minutes three to five times a
week.
A mean value of VO2max for male athletes is about 3.5 litres/minute and for female athletes it is about
2.7 litres/minute.
13-19 <25.0 25.0 - 30.9 31.0 - 34.9 35.0 - 38.9 39.0 - 41.9 >41.9
20-29 <23.6 23.6 - 28.9 29.0 - 32.9 33.0 - 36.9 37.0 - 41.0 >41.0
30-39 <22.8 22.8 - 26.9 27.0 - 31.4 31.5 - 35.6 35.7 - 40.0 >40.0
40-49 <21.0 21.0 - 24.4 24.5 - 28.9 29.0 - 32.8 32.9 - 36.9 >36.9
50-59 <20.2 20.2 - 22.7 22.8 - 26.9 27.0 - 31.4 31.5 - 35.7 >35.7
60+ <17.5 17.5 - 20.1 20.2 - 24.4 24.5 - 30.2 30.3 - 31.4 >31.4
13-19 <35.0 35.0 - 38.3 38.4 - 45.1 45.2 - 50.9 51.0 - 55.9 >55.9
20-29 <33.0 33.0 - 36.4 36.5 - 42.4 42.5 - 46.4 46.5 - 52.4 >52.4
30-39 <31.5 31.5 - 35.4 35.5 - 40.9 41.0 - 44.9 45.0 - 49.4 >49.4
40-49 <30.2 30.2 - 33.5 33.6 - 38.9 39.0 - 43.7 43.8 - 48.0 >48.0
50-59 <26.1 26.1 - 30.9 31.0 - 35.7 35.8 - 40.9 41.0 - 45.3 >45.3
60+ <20.5 20.5 - 26.0 26.1 - 32.2 32.3 - 36.4 36.5 - 44.2 >44.2
The Rockport Walking Test is a simple self-paced test to predict aerobic power (VO2max). The test is
ideal for use with large groups of subjects but can also be used for individuals.
The Test
The test consists of individual walking 1mile(1609 Meters) as fast as safely possible, without jogging or
running.
Test procedure
-The test can be administered outdoors on a track or indoors on a Treadmill and will gives similar
results .
-The subject is instructed for Walking one mile (1609meters) as fast as safely possible.
-Post exercise (Immediately on finishing the walk) heart rate (beats per minute) is recorded.
Where,
Age is in Years.
The following are samples of Astrands (a work physiologists) workouts for improving oxygen uptake:
• (1) - Run at maximum speed for 5 minutes. Note the distance covered in that time. Let us
assume that the distance achieved is 1900 metres. Rest for five minutes, and then run the
distance (1900 metres) 20% slower, in other words in six minutes, with 30 seconds rest,
repeated many times. This is equal to your 10 Km pace
• (2) - Run at maximum speed for four minutes. Note the distance covered in that time. Rest for
four minutes. In this case, we will assume you run a distance of 1500 metres. Now run the
same distance 15% slower, in other words in 4 minutes 36 seconds, with 45 seconds rest,
repeated several times. This approximates to a time between the athlete's 5 Km and 10 Km
time
• (3) - Run at maximum effort for three minute. Note the distance covered in that time. The
distance covered is, say 1000 metres. Successive runs at that distance are taken 10% slower or
at 3 minutes 18 seconds, with 60 seconds rest, repeated several times. This approximates to
your 5 Km time
• (4) - Run at maximum effort for five minutes. Note the distance covered in that time. The
distance covered is 1900 metres. Rest five minutes. The distance is now covered 5% slower
with one and a half minutes rest. This is approximately 3K pace for you, i.e., five minutes 15
seconds/1900 metres
• (5) - Run at maximum effort for three minutes. The distance covered is 1100 metres. When
recovered, the athlete then runs the same distance 5% slower, i.e., three minutes nine
seconds/1100 metres, with one minute rest, repeated several times. This is at 3 Km pace
It is suggested that in the winter sessions (1) and (2) are done weekly, and in the track season sessions
(3), (4) and (5) are done weekly by runners from 800 metres to the half-marathon. Although it would
be convenient to use the original distance marks made by the duration efforts, this does not take into
account the athlete's condition before each session, so the maximum effort runs must be done on each
occasion when they may be either more or less than the previous distance run. The maximum duration
efforts are in themselves quality sessions. If the pulse rate has not recovered to 120 beats per minute
in the rest times given, the recovery period should be extended before the repetitions are started. The
recovery times between the repetitions should be strictly adhered to. These workouts make a refreshing
change from repetition running. When all five sessions are completed within a month, experience shows
substantial improvements in performance.
VO2 max decreases as altitude increases above 1600m and for every 1000m above 1600m maximal
oxygen uptake decreases by approximately 8-11%. The decrease is mainly due to a decrease in
maximal cardiac output (product of heart rate and stroke volume). Stoke volume decreases due to the
immediate decrease in blood plasma volume.
It is possible to estimate your exercise intensity as a percentage of VO2max from your training heart
rate. A study by David Swain et al. (1994) using statistical procedures examined the relationship
between %MHR and %VO2max. Their results led to the following regression equation:
The relationship has been shown to hold true across sex, age and activity.
% of VO2max Speed
60 Slow running
70 Steady running
90 10 km speed
95 5 km speed
100 3 km speed
Free Calculator
• %VO2max to %MHR Calculator - a free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet which you can download
and use on your computer. The spreadsheet will be loaded into a new window.
Referenced Material
1. SWAIN et al (1994) Target HR for the development of CV fitness. Medicine & Science in Sports
& Exercise, 26 (1), p. 112-116
2. WILMORE, J.H. and COSTILL, D.L. (2005) Physiology of Sport and Exercise. 3rd ed. Champaign,
IL: Human Kinetics
3. SALTIN, B. and ROWELL, L.B. (1980) Functional adaptations to physical activity and inactivity.
Federation Proceeding. 39 (5), p. 1506-1513
4. GOLLNICK, P.D. et al. (1972) Enzyme activity and fiber composition in skeletal muscle of
untrained and trained men. J Appl Physiol., 33 (3), p. 312-319
5. JACKSON, A.S. et al. (1995) Changes in aerobic power of men, ages 25-70 yr. Med Sci Sports
Exerc., 27 (1), p. 113-120
6. HEYWOOD, V. (1998) The Physical Fitness Specialist Certification Manual, The Cooper Institute
for Aerobics Research, Dallas TX, revised 1997. In: HEYWOOD, V (1998) Advance Fitness
Assessment & Exercise Prescription, 3rd Ed. Leeds: Human Kinetics. p. 48
Cooper VO2max Test
Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance
evaluations and decisions are made but in the analysis we need to bear in mind the factors that may
influence the results.
Objective
The Cooper Test (Cooper 1968) [1] is used to monitor the development of the athlete's aerobic
endurance and to obtain an estimate of their VO2max.
Required Resources
Assessment
For an evaluation of the athlete's performance select the age group and gender, enter the total distance
covered and then select the 'Calculate' button.
Assessment -
Male Athletes
Female Athletes
VO2max
For an estimate of your VO2max enter the Distance covered and then select the 'Calculate' button.
Analysis
Analysis of the test result is by comparing it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is
expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement
in the athlete's VO2max, anaerobic and aerobic thresholds.
Target Group
This test is suitable for endurance athletes and players of endurance sports (e.g. football, rugby) but
not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.
Reliability
Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is
intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's
level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides a variety of factors that may
influence the results and therefore the test reliability.
Validity
Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it claims to measure and the
extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made on the basis of test scores are appropriate
and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's physical
development. There are published VO2 max tables and the correlation to actual VO2max is high. For an
assessment of your Vo2 max see the VO2max normative data tables.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Heart Rate
Heart Rate: Heart rate, determined by the number of times heart beats in each minute, is an
important measure of health.
Heart rate can vary as the body's need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide changes, such as
during exercise or sleep.
How hard your heart has to work during various activities can tell you a lot about your overall physical
condition.
Resting Heart Rate: The resting heart rate (HRrest) is a person's heart rate when they are at rest, that
is lying down but awake, and not having recently exerted themselves.
Your resting heart rate measures the speed at which your heart beats during periods of little physical
activity. The best time to measure your resting heart rate is in the morning before you get out of bed.
The typical resting heart rate in adults is 60-90 bpm,[with rates below 60 bpm referred to as
bradycardia, and rates above 100 bpm referred to as tachycardia. Conditioned athletes often have
resting heart rates below 60 bpm, with values of below 40 bpm not unheard of. For instance, cyclist
Lance Armstrong has been known to have resting heart rates to as low as around 32 bpm, cyclist
Miguel Indurain had a resting heart rate of 28 bpm. The low pulse in conditioned athletes is due to
hypertrophy of the cardiac muscles, therefore enabling a higher volume of blood being pumped at each
beat (i.e. higher stroke volume).
The normal heart rate in children is variable and depends on the child's age. Children exercising can
have heart rates up to 200 bpm.
Maximum heart rate: The maximum heart rate (HRmax) is the highest heart rate an individual can
safely achieve through exercise stress, and depends on age.
Often used to calculate your target heart rate, your maximum heart rate measures the speed at which
your heart beats during intense physical activity. It is most safely measured in a controlled medical
environment, but you can estimate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. For
example, a 30-year-old's maximum heart rate would be estimated at 190 beats per minute.
The most accurate way of measuring HRmax is via a cardiac stress test. In such a test, the subject
exercises while being monitored by an EKG. During the test, the intensity of exercise is periodically
increased (if a treadmill is being used, through increase in speed or slope of the treadmill), continuing
until certain changes in heart function are detected in the EKG, at which point the subject is directed to
stop. Typical durations of such atest range from ten to twenty minutes.
Target Heart Rate: Also known as the training heart rate, your target heart rate measures the speed
at which your heart beats during peak aerobic exercise and can help you decipher whether you're
working out at a level of intensity that's appropriate for you. Your target heart rate is usually equivalent
to 60-85% of your maximum heart rate. In the example above, the 30 year old man's maximum heart
rate was 190 (220-30), so his target heart rate would be 114-161.5 beats per minute ((190 x .6) - (190
x .85)).
The measurement of heart rate is used by medical professionals to assist in the diagnosis and tracking
of medical conditions. It is also used by individuals, such as athletes, who are interested in monitoring
their heart rate to gain maximum efficiency from their training.
Heart rates are most accurately measured with a diagnostic tool known as an electrocardiograph
(ECG or EKG), which are often used in a medical setting to noninvasively and painlessly record electrical
activity of the heart over time.
Standard textbooks of physiology and medicine mention that heart rate (HR) is readily calculated from
the ECG as follows: HR = 1,500/RR interval in millimeters, HR = 60/RR interval in seconds, or HR =
300/number of large squares between successive R waves, In each case, the authors are actually
referring to instantaneous HR, which is the number of times the heart would beat if successive RR
intervals were constant.
You can also buy a commercial heart rate monitor kit consisting of a chest strap with heart-rate
monitoring electrodes and a display you wear on your wrist for easy interpretation of the data gathered.
However, the easiest way to assess your heart rate is by taking your pulse. Using your index and middle
finger, simply press on any part of your body where an artery pulsation can be felt on the skin's
surface, such as the neck or inside wrist, and count the number of pulses per minute. Be sure not to
use your thumb when taking someone else's pulse, as it has a strong pulse of its own.
Heart rate is measured by finding the pulse of the body. This pulse rate can be measured at any point
on the body where the artery's pulsation is transmitted to the surface by pressuring it with the index
and middle fingers; often it is compressed against an underlying structure like bone. The thumb should
not be used for measuring another person's heart rate, as its strong pulse may interfere with correct
perception of the target pulse.
1. The ventral aspect of the wrist on the side of the thumb (radial artery).
2. The ulnar artery.
3. The neck (carotid artery).
4. The inside of the elbow, or under the biceps muscle (brachial artery).
5. The groin (femoral artery).
6. Behind the medial malleolus on the feet (posterior tibial artery).
7. Middle of dorsum of the foot (dorsalis pedis).
8. Behind the knee (popliteal artery).
9. Over the abdomen (abdominal aorta).
10. The chest (apex of heart), which can be felt with one's hand or fingers. However, it is possible
to auscultate the heart using a stethoscope.
11. The temple (superficial temporal artery).
12. The lateral edge of the mandible (facial artery).
13. The side of the head near the ear (basilar artery)
Counting the pulse at the carotid artery has proven to be the easiest place to locate the pulse. Press
gently on one side of the neck with your index and middle finger until the pulse is felt. Count each beat
you feel to determine your heart rate.
Measuring your heart rate can not only help you exercise at a level of intensity that's right for you, it
can also help provide information about your overall health. Factors like physical fitness, gender and
age will impact your readings. As a general rule, the more physically fit you are, the lower your heart
rate will be, and the more activity it will take to increase it. However, unreasonably low heart rates
(bradycardia) or high heart rates (tachycardia) can be a sign of trouble and should be evaluated by a
physician.
Exercise must be performed within the aerobic heart rate range for the body to benefit from the
workout. This aerobic range is generally between 60 and 85 percent of a person's maximum heart rate.
If you are severely overweight or in poor shape, the aerobic range might be 50 to 65 percent of your
maximum heart rate.
Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably
daily. (Children need at least 60 minutes a day.) Doing less than this will minimize your health benefits.
Moderate aerobic exercise is generally defined as requiring about as much energy as walking 2 miles in
30 minutes.
Aerobic exercise uses large muscle groups for a continuous period of time. To handle this workload, the
muscles need more oxygen. This requires the heart to beat faster. Breathing gets heavier and faster to
take in more oxygen for the muscles.
To estimate your aerobic heart rate range, subtract your age from 220. This gives your estimated
maximum heart rate. Then multiply your maximum heart rate by 60 percent and by 85 percent. These
numbers are the low and high numbers representing heartbeats per minute in your aerobic range.
These numbers are an estimate of how hard your heart needs to work. A few pulse checks during
workouts confirm for most people that they are exercising in their aerobic range.
This formula is only an average. It does not apply for 30 to 40 percent of the population. Some people
who follow heart-monitored exercise charts based on the formula may not be exercising in their true
aerobic range. This can be tested by walking, jogging, or bicycling at a comfortable aerobic pace. Stop
and take a pulse check. Your pulse rate may be much higher (or lower) than what the chart says it is
supposed to be.
Do not worry. There is an easier method to determine if your exercising effort is within your aerobic
heart rate range. Simply rely on your breathing and comfort. You are probably below your aerobic
range if breathing is comfortable and talking is easy. If breathing is deep (not gasping) and gabbing is
not possible (but speaking is), you are exercising in your range. Being unable to speak more than three
words together are signs that you are over your aerobic range.
Remember, exercise that is performed within your aerobic heart rate range maximizes heart and other
systemic benefits. Always get a medical checkup before starting any exercise program. Work with a
certified exercise leader to learn how to exercise safely.
Monitoring Your Heart RateWhile Exercising
Your heart rate will ensure a safe and effective aerobic workout. Monitoring your heart rate will allow
you to track the magical changes taking place in your cardiovascular system as you journey on the road
to aerobic fitness.
One of the goals of your aerobic workout is to improve your cardiovascular fitness. Heart rates taken
during exercise indicate how hard your heart is working. Your heart rate is actually a motivating friend
when you learn to monitor it properly, for this allows you to objectively detect beneficial changes which
you can’t otherwise see.
Safety. The heart rate is a gauge by which to assess the intensity of your workout to make sure you’re
not overexerting or overextending yourself. For example, if your heart rate is above your working heart
rate range, it’s telling you to slow down a little and use fewer arm movements.
Effectiveness. If your heart rate indicates you’re not working hard enough, then you can work out a
little more vigorously to maximize the effectiveness of your workout. To maximize your aerobic
workout, you need to stay in your working heart rate range for at least 20 to 30 minutes continuously.
Incentive. By monitoring your heart rate from week to week as you participate in an aerobic activity,
you’ll discover that you will be able to exercise at a higher level of intensity, but at the same or lower
heart rate. This is the way the heart tells you it is becoming stronger and more efficient. When you see
positive results, it will motivate you to strive for even better results.
The rate your heart is pumping when you have been sitting quietly for a while or when you are sleeping
is your resting heart rate. This rate indicates your cardiovascular fitness level. The normal resting heart
rate is 15 to 20 beats per minute slower than your “usual” heart rate. A person who is in good aerobic
condition usually has a lower resting heart rate. Take your resting heart rate for 60 seconds before you
get up in the morning.
While you are exercising, you want to elevate your heart rate to produce a “training effect” but not so
high as to be dangerous. Therefore, it is important to monitor your heart rate throughout the class.
Gradually increase your working heart rate into a range that is maintained for the 20 to 30 minutes
required to assure a training effect and an adequate workout. Find your working heart rate range on
the chart and adjust your workout to stay in the middle of your range during the aerobic segment. The
more conditioned your heart becomes, the more challenging it is to elevate your heart rate. If your
heart rate is too high, lower the level of the next aerobic routine by exercising less vigorously and
minimizing your arm movements. If your heart rate is too low, exercise more vigorously. We take the
working heart rate for 6 seconds after the booster and each aerobic routine. Multiply this number by 10
(i.e., add a zero to the end of the number) to determine the number of beats per minute.
Recovery Heart Rate
Recovery heart rate is the heart rate measured at a fixed (or reference) period after ceasing activity,
typically measured over a one minute period.
A greater reduction in heart rate after exercise during the reference period indicates a better-
conditioned heart. Heart rates that do not drop by more than 12 bpm one minute after stopping
exercise are associated with an increased risk of death.
Training regimes sometimes use recovery heart rate as a guide of progress and to spot problems such
as overheating or dehydration. After even short periods of hard exercise it can take a long time (about
30 minutes) for the heart rate to drop to rested levels.
Recovering to 120 beats per minute or lower is important. If your recovery heart rate is above 120
beats per minute, then during the next class, you should lower your workout level. This is accomplished
by doing steps at a walking level and minimizing arm moves. You should always work out at a level that
is enjoyable and comfortable for you. As long as you do not exceed your maximum working heart rate
during the aerobic part of class and you recover at 120 beats per minute or less, you know that your
workout has been safe and effective.
But, recently, new research has revealed other ways you can use your heart rate to determine not only
how hard you are exercising, but, also how healthy your cardiovascular system is. This review will
discuss 4 different ways you can use your heart rate to monitor your fitness. Your personal trainer may
not even know some of these details.
Before you can calculate your "target exercise heart rate," you first need to determine your "maximum
heart rate".
However, several years ago, researchers in the department of kinesiology and applied physiology at the
University of Colorado in Boulder noticed that this formula underestimated exercise heart rates in older
subjects.
Hirofumi Tanaka, PhD, and his group conducted an exhaustive review of 351 studies involving nearly
19,000 subjects and derived a new formula. They then validated the new formula in 514 healthy
subjects.
In 40-year-old subjects, both formulas yield the same result (ie., 180 beats per minute). However, the
Tanaka equation produces slightly lower limits (than the old formula) in subjects younger than 40, and
raises the limit slightly in subjects older than 40 years old.
Other formulas exist. What's important is that, for the elderly, and people who are not in shape,
maximum heart rate should be determined by calculation since it would be too risky for these people to
submit themselves to an all-out exercise test.
(Another "tweak" to the traditional formula is known as the Tanaka method. Based on a study
of thousands of individuals, a new formula was devised which is believed to be more accurate).
In 2007, researchers at the Oakland University analysed maximum heart rates of 132 individuals
recorded yearly over 25 years, and produced a linear equation very similar to the Tanaka formula—
HRmax = 206.9 − (0.67 × age)—and a nonlinear equation—HRmax = 191.5 − (0.007 × age2). The linear
equation had a confidence interval of ±5–8 bpm and the nonlinear equation had a tighter range of ±2–
5 bpm. Also a third nonlinear equation was produced — HRmax = 163 + (1.16 × age) − (0.018 × age2).
These figures are very much averages, and depend greatly on individual physiology and fitness. For
example an endurance runner's rates will typically be lower due to the increased size of the heart
required to support the exercise, while a sprinter's rates will be higher due to the improved response
time and short duration. While each may have predicted heart rates of 180 (= 220 − age), these two
people could have actual HRmax 20 beats apart (e.g., 170–190).
Further, note that individuals of the same age, the same training, in the same sport, on the same team,
can have actual HRmax 60 bpm apart (160 to 220):[5] the range is extremely broad, and some say "The
heart rate is probably the least important variable in comparing athletes."[5]
The 2010 research conducted at Northwestern University revised the maximum heart rate formula for
women. According to Martha Gulati, et al., it is:
A study from Lund, Sweden gives reference values (obtained during bicycle ergometry) for men:
The November 2004 issue of Runner's World magazine offers a method for fit runners to determine
their maximum heart rate:
• warmup
• run as hard as you can for 3 minutes
• walk for 2 minutes
• run as hard as you can for another 3 minutes
During the last minute of running, you should be at your maximum heart rate. NOTE: Do not do this
unless you are fit, or have been given a clean bill of health by your physician.
But, let's say you're not interested in winning your age group in next month's neighborhood 10-K; you
are only exercising for health reasons. In this case, you still need to know your maximum heart rate.
This allows you to determine your "training" heart rate, which is explained below.
There's also a medical use for knowing maximum heart rate. Cardiologists have determined that the
inability to attain a target heart rate during exercise appears to be an ominous predictor of mortality.
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that patients who could not reach at least 85% of their
predicted exercise heart rate had a higher risk of death (Lauer MS, et al. 1999).
Now that you know your maximum heart rate, you can determine your training heart rate. Coaches and
their athletes know that driving the heart rate up into a specific range is the key to improving
performance in aerobic events like cycling, distance running, etc. For example, Ed Eyestone offers the
following guidelines in the November 2004 issue of Runner's World magazine:
Serious endurance athletes (triathletes, distance runners, etc.) will train mostly at the aerobic training
pace. About 10% of their training will be at the lactate threshold pace. Extremely-intense
Training heart rate is also helpful for people who want to exercise for health benefits. Research shows
that untrained individuals will begin to improve their aerobic fitness when they exercise regularly at
50% of their maximum heart rate (Pollock ML, et al. 1998).
For example, for a 60-year-old person, the maximum heart rate (using the Tanaka equation) is 166.
Fifty percent of that is 83 beats per minute. Thus, exercise does not need to be exhausting to achieve a
health benefit.
The Target Heart Rate or Training Heart Rate (THR) is a desired range of heart rate reached during
aerobic exercise which enables one's heart and lungs to receive the most benefit from a workout. This
theoretical range varies based mostly on age; however, a person's physical condition, gender, and
previous training also are used in the calculation. Below are two ways to calculate one's THR. In each of
these methods, there is an element called "intensity" which is expressed as a percentage. The THR can
be calculated as a range of 65%–85% intensity. However, it is crucial to derive an accurate HRmax to
ensure these calculations are meaningful (see above).
Example for someone with a HRmax of 180(age 40, estimating HRmax As 220 − age):
Karvonen method
The Karvonen method factors in resting heart rate (HRrest) to calculate target heart rate (THR), using a
range of 50–85% intensity:
Zoladz method
An alternative to the Karvonen method is the Zoladz method, which derives exercise zones by
subtracting values from HRmax:
"Recovery" heart rate is a determination of how long it takes your heart rate to return to normal after
you stop exercising. This concept is mostly for people who are out of shape. People with a slower
recovery are at higher risk of sudden death than people who recover more quickly.
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic exercised patients on a treadmill, then measured their heart rate 1
minute after running stopped and compared it to their peak heart rate. The failure of heart rate to fall
rapidly after exercise stopped was associated with increased overall mortality (Cole CR, et al. 1999).
A similar result was seen in a study from France. Cardiologists exercised patients on a stationary bike
for 10 minutes, then measured their heart rate 1 minute after cycling stopped and compared it to their
peak heart rate. Patients with the poorest recovery had 2.1 times the risk of sudden death compared to
patients with the best recovery (Jouven X, et al. 2005).
And, finally, the 4th way you can use your heart rate to monitor your exercise program is to simply take
your pulse while at rest. Resting heart rate is another indicator of your aerobic fitness.
One of the dramatic things that happens to your heart when you become aerobically fit is that your
heart pumps more blood with each beat. This is known as "stroke volume". Since more blood is pumped
with each beat, the heart doesn't need to beat as fast, so, resting heart rate is slower.
In one study of female runners, the resting heart rate directly related to how far the women ran per
week (Williams PT. 1996):
You may have heard of marathon runners who have resting heart rates in the 50's, or, even in the 40's.
Generally, this is a sign of a strong heart.
Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. In one study of middle-age men with no evidence of
cardiovascular disease, a resting heart rate of 75 beats per minute or higher had 3.5 times the risk of
sudden death compared to men with resting heart rates of less than 60 (Jouven X, et al. 2005).
SUMMARY
So, it turns out that something as simple as keeping track of your heart rate can tell you a lot about
your health and fitness. Here's how to do it:
• Resting Heart Rate: Take your pulse as soon as you wake up in the morning, preferably, without an
alarm clock, and definitely before that first cup of coffee. Take it while you are still lying in bed; don't sit
up. If you don't want to do a 60-second count, then do a 6-second count and simply add a zero.
• Maximum Heart Rate: This was discussed above. To repeat, do NOT do the running test unless you
have a clean bill of health from your physician. Instead, use the formula by Tanaka et al. listed above.
• Training Heart Rate: If you simply want to exercise for health benefits, you only need to exercise at
about 50-60% of your maximum heart rate. However, if you want to improve your times in a 10-K race
for example, then you need to push your HR into the 70-90% range periodically. Since it is very difficult
to take your pulse when you are exercising this hard, use a heart rate monitor.
Heart rate reserve (HRR) is a term used to describe the difference between a person's measured or
predicted maximum heart rate and resting heart rate. Some methods of measurement of exercise
intensity measure percentage of heart rate reserve. Additionally, as a person increases their
cardiovascular fitness, their HRrest will drop, thus the heart rate reserve will increase. Percentage of HRR
is equivalent to percentage of VO2 reserve.
This is often used to gauge exercise intensity (first used in 1957 by Karvonen).
Abnormalities
Tachycardia:
Tachycardia is a resting heart rate more than 100 beats per minute. This number can vary as smaller
people and children have faster heart rates than average adults.
Bradycardia
Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute although it is seldom symptomatic
until below 50 bpm when a human is at total rest. This number can vary as children and small adults
tend to have faster heart rates than average adults. Bradycardia may be associated with medical
conditions such as hypothyroidism.
Trained athletes tend to have slow resting heart rates, and resting bradycardia in athletes should not be
considered abnormal if the individual has no symptoms associated with it. For example Miguel Indurain,
a Spanish cyclist and five time Tour de France winner, had a resting heart rate of 28 beats per minute,
one of the lowest ever recorded in a healthy human.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias are abnormalities of the heart rate and rhythm (sometimes felt as palpitations). They can
be divided into two broad categories: fast and slow heart rates. Some cause few or minimal symptoms.
Others produce more serious symptoms of lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting.
Female Athlete Triad
The three factors in the triad are disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis.
The triad is a relatively new phenomenon that has been identified. Despite its name, not only athletes
are at risk for the disorder.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders contribute to the triad by causing an energy imbalance in the body.
Eating disorders may come in the form of:
-Anorexia Nervosa
-Bulimia
-Disordered eating
Anorexia Nervosa
A person with anorexia will never believe that she is thin enough and thus seeks to avoid food
To be classified as anorexic, the patient must meet four specific criteria
1. Refusal to maintain body weight, even though they are underweight for age and height
2. Has an intense fear of gaining weight
3. Has a distorted body image; feels fat when really extremely thin
4. Has missed menstrual cycle three or more times in a row1
Causes of Anorexia
-Media images of beauty are mixed with messages that one must be unhealthily skinny to be
pretty
-Mothers or important adults may teach about dieting or make comments causing their
daughters to feel overweight
-Coaches oftentimes inadvertently make comments about weight in relation to performance
-Athletic clothing – for some sports, such as swimming or gymnastics, the uniform is tight
fitting and revealing
Causes of Bulimia
The cause of bulimia may have genetic origins
Other factors may predispose someone to the disorder:
-Perfectionism
-Impaired self-concept
-Poor impulse control
-Stress from peer and parental relationships, puberty, sexuality, marriage and
pregnancy
Abnormalities of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system could be a factor
Familial factors: first- and second-degree relatives of a bulimic have an increased incidence of eating
disorders
Amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea is the late start of menarche – after age 16
Secondary amenorrhea is when a woman or young girl stops getting a monthly period for three or more
months in a row
Causes of amenorrhea
-Amenorrhea is thought to be caused by an energy imbalance5
-The energy imbalance may be from intentionally withholding nutrition from the body or from
expending more calories than consumed through an intense exercise regimen
-The body may be turning off the reproductive cycle to conserve energy1
-Contrary to common misconception, missing one or more menstrual cycles is neither normal
nor a sign of proper training
-Need for Concern
-Whatever the cause, amenorrhea is serious
-A reduced level of estrogen is associated with amenorrhea
-Amenorrhea increases the risk of stress fractures
-Amenorrhea can also lead to osteoporosis
-Amenorrhea disrupts fertility
Warning signs of energy drain
-As many as 44% of physically active women have reported periods of 3+ months with no menstruation
-Sore muscles that do not recover
-The athlete feels stale
-Lacks interest in training
-Injuries do not heal
-Weight loss
-Decreasing performance
-Signs of depression
Osteoporosis
A decrease in bone density due to a loss of cortical bone; common in older women and implicated in
fractures1
Risk factors:
-Genetics,
-Smoking and alcohol consumption,
-Anorexia,
-High dietary protein or fiber consumption6
Facts about bone density
-Bones reach maximum strength between 30-35 years of age
-Calcium, estrogen and vitamin D are all needed to help your body build bone
-Weight-bearing exercise is also important for remodeling bone
-Sodas inhibit absorption of calcium
-Girls age 12-14 need 1200-1500 mg/day of calcium
-Adult women need 1000 mg/day of calcium
-Caucasian and Asian women have lower bone mass than Hispanic and African American women and
may be at greater risk for osteoporosis
-Place of osteoporosis in the Triad
-Eating disorders and amenorrhea can lead to the development of osteoporosis
-It is thought to be the estrogen deficiency of amenorrhea along with a possible calcium deficiency that
contribute to the development of osteoporosis in athletes.
Conclusion
It is not just athletes that are at risk for developing the symptoms known as the Female Athlete Triad
-All of the factors are interrelated
-The triad could be initiated by either an eating disorder or an energy imbalance caused by an over-
expenditure of calories
-Any one factor by itself poses serious health threats and could be a sign of a worsening problem
-It takes a cooperative effort to help young women and athletes develop a healthy body image
Hypertrophy:
Increase in the diameter of muscle fibers resulting from very forceful, repetitive muscular activity and
an increase in myofibrils, SR & mitochondria.
Hypertrophy refers to increase in both the cross-sectional area of the muscle (more myofibrils) and
increase in length of the muscle (more sarcomeres per myofibril).
Mainly due to increase of cross sectional area of individual muscle fiber. After weight training the
hypertrophy is attributed to the following causes –
Heat Cramps Muscle cramping (calf is very Isolated craps : Direct pressure to
common) cramp and release, stretch muscle
slowly and gently, gentle massage,
ice
Multiple cramping (Very serious) Multiple cramps : Danger of heat
stroke, treat as heat exhaustion
Hydration
Pre-competition
2 to 4 hours before competition give complex carbohydrates (rice, wheat, fruits, vegetables).
Adequate amount of water
Less fat (it takes about 6 hours to digest.
Less fiber, less protein and less salt (shrinks cells and causes muscle cramps).
Less sugar, no caffeine and no alcohol.
During competition
Long duration games
50 grams of carbohydrate every hour
Sports drink, dry fruits (figs, legumes, apricot)
Banana, beans, jam sandwich and chocolate bar
After competition
Carbohydrate-1 to 2 gram per kg weight immediately
After two hours 1 to 2 grams per kg body weight.
550 to 800 gram after the game with water
Before going to bed 500 to 600 cc water.
The respiratory quotient (or RQ or respiratory coefficient)
The Respiratory Quotient or RQ value is a measure of the ratio of carbon dioxide produced and oxygen
consumed by an organism per unit time.It is a ratio and therefore has no units.
The respiratory quotient is a valuable measurement as it provides us with Information regarding the
nature of the substrate being used by an organism for respiration.
The RQ value varies with the nature of the substrate being used for respiration.The following equation
represents the complete oxidation of the fatty acid,
Oleic acid, when used as the substrate for respiration.The simplified equation for the aerobic respiration
of oleic acid is:
In this reaction, thirty six carbon dioxide molecules are produced and fifty one oxygen molecules are
consumed.
The following table shows the RQ values for different classes of respiratory substrate when they are
used for aerobic respiration
Glucose- 1
Protein-0.9
If any degree of anaerobic respiration occurs RQ values significantly above a value of 1.0 are obtained.
Cardiovascular drift
Cardiovascular drift (CV drift) is a phenomenon whereby some CV responses begin a continuous time
dependent change, or "drift,
Cardiovascular drift refers to the progressive increase in heart rate and decrease in stroke volume that
begins after approximately 10 min of prolonged moderate-intensity exercise.
It is associated with decreased maximal oxygen uptake, particularly during heat stress. Consequently,
the increased heart rate reflects an increased relative metabolic intensity during prolonged exercise in
the heat when cardiovascular drift occurs, which has implications for exercise prescription.
It is characterized by
-A progressive decline in stroke volume (SV)
-Decreease pulmonary and systemic mean arterial pressures (MAPs) and
-Increase in heart rate (HR),
-Cardiac output is maintained nearly constant.
-Dehydration( maintained with saline infusion), Although CV drift can occur without dehydration,
-Raising temperature within the muscle
-Slightly elevated core temperature
CV drift is a phenomenon, classically observed in non endurance trained persons working in thermo
neutral environments, that is associated with progressive but small increases in core temperature.
SV reductions after the first 10-to 15-min period of exercise probably provide the single best index of
CV drift.
Suggestions must be adhered to in order to prevent physical damages and injuries during
strength training.
2. To reduce chance of injury, keep head and limbs clear of weights and moving parts at all times.
3. Proper skill is needed while working with heavy apparatus during each session of strength
training. In the beginning the strength exercise should be correctly learnt with lighter weights
and as the skill improves, the resistance should be gradually increased.
4. A variety of exercises should be performed. The weak joints of the body namely, hand, foot and
elbow should not be loaded with heavy weights.
5. In all the strength training exercises, the spine should be kept straight and avoid frequent
stress on the spine during one training session.
6. While performing strength exercises, the normal breathing should continue. Avoid holding of
breath for too long.
7. Each strength training session must be preceded by a good session of warming up and must
end with limbering down.
8. As soon as pain is experienced in muscles and joints, the exercises should be stopped. This way
prevents in protecting serious injuries.
9. Take preventive measures in order to protect muscles, ligaments and joints from injuries. Steps
should be taken to accelerate recovery after each session of strength training.
10. While working with heavy weights take help of assistants and use proper footwear in order to
stabilize the foot joints.
12 Observe proper discipline and follow safety rules in each strength training sess
Suggestions for reducing over weight
1.Eat less than what you normally eat and in case you cannot cut down on your eating, participate
regularly and religiously in a programme of physical exercise so that you burn up more calories.
2. In case you are non- vegetarian eat more fish and chicken. Avoid animal fat in meat because this fat
is harmful.
3. Reduce intake of sugar because it is high in calories. Take eat and coffee with an approved artificial
sweetener or no sweetener at all. Reduce consumption of canned foods. Avoid intake of deserts,
chocolates, nuts and soft drinks.
4. Reduce intake of excess of fats. A gram of fat contains twice as many calories as a gram of protein.
6.According to Dr. Jeen Mayor, one of the worlds most respected nutritionist, a safe and effective
method of controlling weight is eating smaller protions at more frequent intervals e.g. divide your three
meals into six small ones.
7. Consume salt in moderate quantities. Decreased salt intake helps boost your morale since the body
will retain less water and you will appear to have less weight. Do not reduce your salt too far in case
you do vigorous exercise.
8. Avoid crash diets. They are bad for health if continued for long time because they are not balanced.
9. Avoid eating very late at night. Prefer to eat early at night (between 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM).
Involvement in some kind of task after night’s meal helps in digestion.
10. Eat more baked, boiled and steamed foods. Avoid consuming fats which result from cooking.
11. Go for skimmed milk and also curd made from skimmed milk. Skimmed milk products have low fat
content.
Exercise affects Oxygen consumption & carbon- dioxide production. With exercise large amount of
oxygen diffuse from the alveoli into the venous blood returning to the lungs, conversely considerable
quantities of CO2 move from blood to alveoli.
In light to moderate steady rate exercise ventilation increases linearly with O2 consumption and Co2
production. About 20-25 liter of air breathed per liter of O2 consumption. So we can say ventilation is
mainly increased by increasing tidal volume. Whereas at higher exercise level breathing frequency take
on more important role.
In more intense sub maximal exercise the minute ventilation takes a sharp upswing and increase
disproportionately with increase in O2 consumption. As a result ventilator equivalent is greater than
during steady rate exercise and may increase to 35-40 lit of air per lit of o2 consumed.
1. Maximal exercise: Maximal exercise ventilation will be increased with the improvements
in maximal O2 uptake. This values serves Physiologically because any increase in
aerobic capacity results in a larger O2 requirement & correspondingly larger production
of O2 that must be eliminated through increase alveolar ventilation.
2. Sub maximal exercise: Following only four weeks of training, a considerable reduction
in the ventilatory equivalent is observed in sub maximal exercise consequently a smaller
amount of air is breathed at a particular rate of sub maximal oxygen consumption. This
reduces the percentages of total oxygen cost of exercise attribute to breathing.
Theoretically this would be important in performing prolonged vigorous exercise for two
reasons:
ii) Any O2 freed from use by the respiratory muscles becomes available to the exercising
muscle.
• In general tidal volume becomes larger & breathing frequenay is considerably reduced.
• Air remains in the lungs for a longer period of time between breaths. The result is an increase
in the amount of O2 extracted from the inspired air.
• Ventilatory adaptations appear to be specific to the type of exercise used in the training. When
subjects performed either arm or leg exercise the ventilation equivalent was always greater
during arm than during leg work.
• The ventilator adjustment to training results from local neural or chemical adaptation in the
specific muscle trained through exercise.
Long term effect of physical Training
Practical