Metabolism and Exercise

Physiologists and Their Contributions

• The greatest physiologist of all time is considered to be Harvey, who discovered continuous blood circulation.
• Galen proposed the treatment commonly in use today.
• Vesalius accurately rendered bones, muscles, nerves, internal organs, and blood vessels.
• Galen discovered the hierarchical structure of the nervous system and observed the heart as a muscle 'pump'.
• Da Vinci studied human anatomy for artistic purposes.

Nobel Prize and Energy Systems

• The Nobel Prize was won for describing the adaptation of blood perfusion in muscles and other organs.
• The three energy systems involved in metabolism are:
  • Phosphocreatine (PCr) system
  • Lactic acid (anaerobic glycolysis) system
  • Oxidative (aerobic) system
• Substrates used by each energy system:
  • PCr system: Phosphocreatine
  • Lactic acid system: Glucose
  • Oxidative system: Fat, carbohydrate, and protein
• The PCr system has the lowest inertia.
• The Oxidative system has the highest ATP production rate.
• The Oxidative system has the highest capacity/duration.
• The PCr system gets fatigued quickly.
• The main factor that determines the reliance on the anaerobic system is the intensity of exercise.

Lactate Dehydrogenase and Glycolysis

• Adenylate kinase's function is to replenish ATP during high-intensity exercise.
• The net production of ATP in glycolysis is 2 ATP.
• The end product of glycolysis is Pyruvate.
• Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) converts Pyruvate to Lactate.
• The five isoforms of LDH are LDH-1, LDH-2, LDH-3, LDH-4, and LDH-5.
• Fast-twitch fibers produce more lactate.
• Glycolysis and lactate production are stimulated by high-intensity exercise.
• Lactate is removed from the body through the liver and kidneys.
• The Cori cycle takes place in the liver.

Exercise Physiology and Its Importance

• Exercise physiology is the study of the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise.
• Three reasons why it is important to study exercise physiology are:
  • To improve athletic performance
  • To enhance health and wellness
  • To prevent and manage chronic diseases

Historical Context of Exercise Physiology

• Hippocrates considered obesity a disease in ancient Greece.
• Herodicus advocated for physical training as a treatment for disease.
• Hippocrates is considered the 'Father of Modern Medicine' and revolutionized medical practice with a holistic approach.
• Three key figures in the historical context of exercise physiology are:
  • Hippocrates
  • Galen
  • Herodicus