Chapter 4 - Exercise Physiology (Paper 2) Flashcards
Define a balanced diet?
A diet containing a variety of foods from each of the food groups so there is an adequate intake of nutrients.
What is glucose?
A simple sugar and the major source of energy for the body’s cells.
What is glycogen?
The stored form of glucose found in the muscles and the liver.
What is the glycaemic index?
This ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels.
What is cholesterol?
A type of fat found in the blood.
What is LDL (low-density lipoproteins)
They transport cholesterol in the blood to the tissues and are classed as ‘bad’ cholesterol since they are linked to an increase risk of heart disease.
What are HDL (high-density lipoproteins)
They transport excess cholesterol in the blood back to the liver where it is broken down. HDLs are classed as ‘good’ cholesterol since they lower the risk of developing heart disease.
What are the 7 classes of food?
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Proteins
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Fibre
- Water
What are the two types of carbohydrates?
- Simple carbohydrates
- Complex carbohydrates
What are simple carbohydrates?
These are found in fruits and are easily digested by the body. They are also often found in processed foods and anything with refined sugar added.
What are complex carbohydrates?
These are found in nearly all plant-based foods, and usually take longer for the body to digest. They are most commonly found in bread, pasta, rice and vegetables.
What are the principal source of energy?
Carbohydrates
What is the main fuel for high intensity or anaerobic work?
Carbohydrates
When carbohydrate is digested, what is it digested into?
Glucose
Once carbohydrates have been digested and glucose is in the blood, what happens?
The glucose is stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen.
What do foods with a low glycaemic index cause?
They cause a slower, sustained release of glucose to the blood. This means blood glucose levels are maintained for longer.
What do foods with a high glycaemic index cause?
These cause a rapid, short rise in blood glucose but will only be short lived.
When should foods with a low glycaemic index be consumed?
3-4 hours before exercise
When should foods with a high glycaemic index be consumed?
1-2 before exercise
What are examples of foods with a low glycaemic index?
- Pasta
- Rice
- cereals
What are examples of foods with a high glycaemic index?
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Fruit
What are the different types of fats?
Saturated and unsaturated
Which type of fat is healthier?
Unsaturated
What does too much saturated fat lead to?
Can lead to excessive weight gain which will affect levels of stamina, limit flexibility and lead to health problems such as coronary heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Where is cholesterol predominately made?
The liver
What can too much LDLs lead too?
It can lead to fatty deposits developing in the arteries which can have a negative effect on blood flow.
What is the benefit of HDLs?
These take cholesterol away from the parts of the body where it has accumulated to the liver where it is deposited off.
What are trans-fats?
A type of unsaturated fats that can be found in meat and dairy products but most are made from an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils.
What is the problem with trans-fats?
They lead to high levels of cholesterol.
What are unsaturated fats important for?
They are a major source of energy used for low intensity exercise (aerobic)
Define amino acids?
Used in all body cells to build proteins
What are proteins?
A combination of many chemicals called amino acids.
What are proteins important for?
For muscle growth and repair and to make enzymes, hormones and haemoglobin.
Are proteins a high source of energy?
No
Examples of good sources of protein?
- Meat
- Fish
- Eggs
- Dairy products
What are the two types of vitamins?
-Fat soluble and water soluble
Which Vitamins are fat soluble?
A,D,E,K
Which Vitamins are water soluble?
B and C
What types of food are fat soluble vitamins found in?
These vitamins are predominately in fatty foods and animal products such as milk, dairy products, vegetable oils, eggs, liver and oily fish.
Where are fat soluble vitamins stored?
In the liver and fatty tissues
What types of food are water soluble vitamins found in?
Found in a wide range of foods such as fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
Where are water soluble vitamins stored?
They are not stored in the body so they need to be taken daily.
What happens if you consume too much water soluble vitamins?
Excessive consumption will not have any beneficial effects as additional amounts will be excreted.
What are electrolytes?
Salts and minerals found in the blood that can conduct electrical impulses in the body.
What is the exercise related function of vitamin C?
- Protects cells and keeps them healthy
- Helps in the maintenance of bones, teeth, gums and connective tissue such as ligaments.
What is the exercise related function of vitamin D?
Has a role in the absorption of calcium, which keeps bones and tissue healthy.
What is the exercise function of Vitamin B1(thiamin)?
- Works with other B group vitamins to help breakdown and release energy from food.
- Keeps the nervous system healthy
What is the exercise related function of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Works with other B group vitamins to help break down and release energy from food.
- Keeps the skin, eyes and nervous system healthy.
What is the exercise related function of vitamin B6?
- Helps form haemoglobin
- Helps the body to use and store energy from protein and carbohydrates in food.
What is the exercise related function of vitamin B12(folate)?
- Makes red blood cells and keeps the nervous system healthy.
- Releases energy from food.
Minerals tend to be dissolved by the body as ions and are called?
Electrolytes
What are two main functions of minerals?
To facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses and enable effective muscle contractions.
What are good sources of minerals?
Meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, cereals, vegetables, fruit and nuts.
What are good sources of fibre?
Wholemeal bread, pasta, potatoes, nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables and pulses.
Why is fibre important?
It can slow down the time it takes the body to break down food, which can result in a slower, more sustained release of energy. Dietary fibre causes bulk in the small intestine, helping to prevent constipation and aiding digestion.
What is dehydration?
Occurs when the body is losing more fluid than it is taking in.
What does dehydration cause?
- Blood viscosity increases, reducing blood flow to working muscles and the skin.
- Reduced sweating to prevent water loss, which results in an increase in core temperature.
- Muscle fatigue and headaches
- Reduction in the exchange of waste products/transportation of nutrients.
- Increased heart rate resulting in a lower cardiac output.
- Decreased performance/decreased reaction time/decreased decision making time
What is the importance of water?
It transports nutrients, hormones and waste products around the body. Is the main component of many cells and plays and important part in regulating body temperature. When you exercise, energy is required and some of the energy is released as heat. Water will keep you from overheating. The evaporation of sweat helps cool you down, but means water is lost during this cooling down process.
What is glycogen loading?
A form of dietary manipulation to increase glycogen stores over and above that which can normally be stored. It is used by endurance performers.
What are supplements?
Are products used to enhance sporting performance.
What is the body’s preferred fuel for any endurance sport?
Muscle glycogen
What happens when glycogen breakdown exceeds its replacement? What does it result in?
Then glycogen stores become depleted. This results in fatigue and the inability to maintain the duration and intensity of training.
How does an athlete replenish glycogen stores?
They need a diet rich in carbohydrates
What is glycogen loading also known as?
Carbo loading
What is the method of glycogen loading?
Six days before an important competition, a performer eats a diet high in protein for three days and exercises at relatively high intensity to burn off any existing carbohydrates. This is followed by three days of diet high in carbohydrates and some light training.
What is the theory of glycogen loading?
The theory is that by totally depleting glycogen stores, they can then be increased by up to two times the original amount and can prevent a performer from hitting a wall.
What are the advantages of glycogen loading?
- increased glycogen storage
- increased glycogen stores in the muscle
- delays fatigue
- increases endurance capacity
What are the disadvantages of glycogen loading?
During the carbo-loading phase:
- water retention, which results in bloating
- heavy legs
- affects digestion
- weight increase
During the depletion phase:
- irritability
- can alter the training programme through a lack of energy
Regarding the glycogen loading method, what has new research has shown?
Newer research has shown that replenishing glycogen stores during the first 20 minutes window after exercise can then enhance performance the next day. In the 20 minutes immediately after exercise, the body is most able to restore lost glycogen.
What is creatine?
A compound the body can make naturally which supplies energy for muscular contraction; can also be used as a supplement to increase athletic performance.