Exercise Physiology Flashcards
Nutrition, Ergogenic Aids
What percentage of carbohydrates should make up our diet?
55%
What percentage of protein should make up our diet?
15%
What percentage of fats should make up your diet?
30%
What is the function of carbohydrates?
Energy production - cell division, active transport and formation of molecules
What is the function of proteins?
Cell growth and repair
- helps the formation of enzymes, haemoglobin and collagen
What is the function of fats?
Low intensity energy production and help absorb fat soluble vitamins
What are the two different types of carbohydrates?
Simple - quick energy release
Complex - slow energy release
What are the sources of simple carbohydrates?
Fruits, Biscuits and Crisps
What are the sources of complex carbohydrates?
Wholegrain bread/rice/pasta and potatoes
Why should you chose wholegrain foods instead of white?
It boosts fibre intake to prevent constipation
What sources of protein?
9 essential amino acids required from our diet
Diary - cheese, nuts and milk
Meat - chicken/turkey
Veg - Beans and pulses
What are the two types of fats?
Saturated and Unsaturated
What are food sources which contain saturated fat?
Butter, cheese, cream, chocolate and fatty meats
What are food sources which contain unsaturated fat?
Avocado, nuts and Oily fish
Why are unsaturated fats better for you?
Unsaturated fats contain HDL (high density lipoprotein) whereas saturated fats contain LDL - which can build up on arterial walls narrowing the lumen.
Name at least 4 different minerals?
Magnesium
Potassium
Sodium
Zinc
Iron
Calcium
Selenium
What is the function of magnesium?
Strong bones and muscles
Boosts immune system
Maintain nerve function
Whats the function of potassium?
Balances bodily fluid and maintains heart health
Whats the function of sodium?
Conducts nerve impulses and maintains the proper balance of water and minerals
What is the function Zinc?
Boosts immune system and metabolic function
What is the function of iron?
Makes haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
What is the function of calcium?
Blood clotting
Muscle contraction
Regulate heart rhythm + nerve function
Whats the function of selenium?
Help to make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections
Name 5 different vitamins?
Vitamin D, C, B12, A, K, E
Which vitamins are fat soluble?
Vitamin A, D, E and K
What is the function of Vitamin D?
It absorbs calcium to aid strength of bones and teeth
What is the function of Vitamin C?
It helps wound healing
Boosts the immune system
What is the function of Vitamin B12?
Red blood cell production
Processes folic acid
What is the function of Vitamin A?
Aids vision
Boosts function of immune system
What is the function of Vitamin E?
Boosts immune system
Maintains healthy skin and eyes
What is the function of Vitamin K?
Blood clotting
How much fibre should we be consuming per day?
35g
What is the function of fibre?
Aids health of digestive system and prevents constipation
Regulates cholesterol levels in blood to prevent obesity
What are some sources of fibre?
Chia seed
Fruits
Brown/Wholegrain pasta/bread/rice
What is the purpose of water and how much should we consume per day?
8 glasses per day
Prevents dehydration
Temperature regulation
Transport of glucose/blood
Define the term energy balance?
The relationship between energy intake and energy expenditure
Define the term energy intake?
The total amount of energy from food or drink consumed, measured in joules or calories
Define the term energy expenditure?
The sum of the basal metabolic rate (BMR), the thermic effect of food (TEF) and the energy expended through physical activity
Whats the equation for energy expenditure?
BMR + TEF + Physical activity energy expenditure
What is Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
The minimum amount of energy required to sustain essential physiological function at rest
On average how much of our total expenditure does BMR account for?
75%
What is the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)?
The energy required to eat, digest, absorb and use food taken in.
What is the Physical activity energy expenditure?
Total calories required to perform daily tasks which can be estimated using MET values (metabolic equivalent values)
On average how much of our total expenditure does Physical activity energy expenditure account for?
Around 30%
What is a METs value?
The ratio of working metabolic rate to resting metabolic rate
How does METs estimate exercise intensity?
It uses oxygen consumption per unit of body weight per minute (mlO2/kg/min)
What is a MET measured in?
kcal/kg/min
What are the different types of ergogenic aids?
Pharmacological
Physiological
Nutritional
What are the three different pharmacological aids?
Anabolic Steroids
EPO (Erythropoietin)
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
What are anabolic steroids?
A group of illegal synthetic hormones which produce protein synthesis
What are the benefits of anabolic steroids?
Increases muscle mass and strength
Increases frequency/intensity/duration of training
Improves speed of recovery
What are the risks of anabolic steroids?
Mood swings/aggression
Liver damage
Heart Failure
Cancer
Insomnia
Who might use anabolic steroids?
Explosive/Power athletes
eg. weightlifter/100m sprinter
Name an athlete who took anabolic steroids during their career?
Lyle Alzado
What is EPO?
An illegal synthetic product that copies natural EPO hormone
What are the benefits of EPO?
Increases red blood cell and haemoglobin count
Increases O2 transport/ aerobic capacity
Increased intensity/duration of performance before fatigue
What are the risks associated with EPO?
Increases blood viscosity
Decreases cardiac output
Increases risks of blood clot and myocardial infarction
Decrease natural EPO production
Who might use EPO?
Endurance athletes like marathon runners and triathletes
What is HGH?
Human growth hormone is an illegal synthetic version of a natural growth hormone
What are the benefits of HGH?
Increases muscle mass and strength
Increased fat metabolism and decreased fat mass
Increased blood glucose levels and speed of recovery
Increase intensity and duration of training
What are the risks of HGH?
Risk of diabetes and cancer
Abnormal bone and muscle development
Enlargement of vital organs
Name an athlete who might use HGH?
Power and strength athletes like Dwain Chambers
Name all 3 physiological aids?
Blood Doping
Intermittent Hypoxic Training
Cooling Aids
What is blood doping (its process)?
Removal of blood from the body 3-4 weeks prior and re-injecting it 2 hours before the event to increase overall red blood cell count
What are the benefits associated with blood doping?
Increased red blood cell and haemoglobin count
Increased oxygen transport/aerobic capacity (VO2 MAX)
Increased intensity and duration of performance before fatigue
What are the risks associated with blood doping?
Increased blood viscosity
Decreased cardiac output
Increased risk of blood clots and heart failure
Risk of HIV infections due to transfusions
Name an athlete who might use blood doping?
Endurance athletes
- Lance Armstrong
What is Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) ?
Use a specialised mask to generate intervals of hypoxic conditions
What are the benefits of Intermittent Hypoxic Training?
Increases EPO, haemoglobin and aerobic capacity
Increased mitochondria density and buffering capacity to delay OBLA
Increase intensity./duration before fatigue
Acclimatisation to events at altitude
What are the risks/disadvantages of Intermittent Hypoxic Training?
Benefits quickly lost when training stops
Lose motivation and disrupt training patterns
HARD TO REACH NORMAL WORK RATES
Decrease immune function (infection risk)
Dehydration
What are cooling aids?
Range of products including ice vest, air conditioning, ice baths and ice packs
What are the benefits of cooling aids pre-event?
Reduce core body temperature
Reduce thermal strain and cardiovascular drift
Reduce sweating, overheating and dehydration
What are the benefits of cooling aids post-event?
Speed up recovery by reducing DOMs
- Flush muscles with oxygenated blood to remove lactic acid
What are the benefits of cooling aids for injuries?
Reduce pain and swelling (arterioles vasoconstriction to reduce blood flow)
What are the disadvantages/risks of using cooling aids?
Difficult to perceive exercise intensity
Ice burns and pain
Hide/Complicate injuries
Dangerous for those with heart conditions
Chest pain and reduced efficiency in elderly
Name all 6 nutritional aids?
Hydration
Carbohydrate Loading
Creatine
Nitrates
Caffeine
Bicarbonates
What are the three different hydration solutions?
Hypotonic
Isotonic
Hypertonic
What is a hypotonic solution?
It has a LOWER concentration of glucose to the bloodstream (4%)
It replaces lost fluid from sweating and small amounts of glucose
HYDRATION WITHOUT ENERGY BOOST
What is an isotonic solution?
It has the SAME concentration of glucose as the bloodstream (5% - 8%)
Absorbed at same rate as water lost
REHYDRATE AND SUPPLY ENERGY
eg. middle distance runners and games players
What is a hypertonic solution?
It has a HIGHER concentration of glucose than the bloodstream (15%)
Absorbed at a slower rate than water
MAXIMISES GLYCOGEN REPLENISHMENT
eg. Ultra distance runner
What is a disadvantage of hypertonic solutions?
Can cause dehydration so they need to be diluted with water
What are the consequences of dehydration?
Decreased heart rate regulation and increased temperature
Increased blood viscosity and heart rate
Increased fatigue and cramping
Decreased cognitive function
Describe the process of carbohydrate loading?
Start one week before the event;
Day 1 - glycogen depleting bouts of endurance exercise
(eg. 1+ hours swim, cycle and run)
Day 2 -3 - High protein and high fat diet
(Lean protein - chicken, turkey, fish)
(Unsaturated fats (avocado and nuts)
Day 4 - glycogen depleting bout of endurance exercise
Day 5 - 7 - High carbohydrate diet whilst training is tapered and reduced to rest
(Complex carbs - wholegrain pasta)
What happens during the day 1 of carbohydrate loading?
Day 1 - glycogen depleting bouts of endurance exercise
(eg. 1+ hours swim, cycle and run)
What happens during the day 2-3 of carbohydrate loading?
Day 2 -3 - High protein and high fat diet
(Lean protein - chicken, turkey, fish)
(Unsaturated fats (avocado and nuts)
What happens during the day 4 of carbohydrate loading?
Day 4 - glycogen depleting bouts of endurance exercise
(eg. 1+ hours swim, cycle and run)
What happens during the day 5 -7 of carbohydrate loading?
Day 5 - 7 - High carbohydrate diet whilst training is tapered and reduced to rest
(Complex carbs - wholegrain pasta)
What are the benefits of carbohydrate loading?
Increase glycogen stores by up to 50%
Delayed fatigue
Increased fuel for aerobic energy production
Increased intensity and duration of performance
What are the risks of carbohydrate loading?
Hypoglycaemia - low blood sugar (in depletion)
Poor recovery, irritability and lethargy (in depletion)
Increased risk of injury
Gastrointestinal problems like bloating
Who is likely to use the legal process of carbohydrate loading?
Endurance athletes
- Johnny Brownlee
- Eliud Kipchoge
What is Glycemic Index (GI)?
A rating scale showing how quickly a carbohydrate affects blood glucose levels
If completing moderate intensity endurance training ( 1 hour per day) how many carbohydrates should you consume?
5-7g of carbohydrates/kg body mass per day
If completing higher intensity endurance training ( 4+ hour per day) how many carbohydrates should you consume?
10-12g of carbohydrates/kg body mass per day
When completing endurance training what should you consume as your pre-event meal?
3 hour before - low GI carbohydrates
1-4g/kg of complex carbs like porridge
1-2 hours before - smaller high GI carbohydrates (simple carbohydrates eg. honey on bagel)
What foods should you consume when the event is less than 1 hour?
Nothing
What foods should you consume when the event is more than 1 hour?
Fast digesting carbohydrates (High GI)
To preserve glycogen stores
eg. isotonic sports drink
What is the purpose of pre-event meals?
Increase glycogen stores in the body
What should you consume post endurance event ?
Within the first 30 minutes you should consume 1-1.5g carbs/kg of body mass/hour
Every two hours after you should repeat consuming high/moderate GI foods for up to 6 hours
What is the purpose of strength training?
Increase muscle mass and strength
What should the amount and composition of meals be for strength training?
5-6 small meals every 2 hours
Up to 30% lean protein - to enhance and repair muscle fibres
eg. tuna, turkey, chicken
Complex carbohydrates for slow energy release
eg. porridge, beans and lentils
Limiting fat intake but provide unsaturated ‘Healthy’ fats - for hormone regulation and energy, increase omega
eg.flaxseed and avocado
What should the amount and composition of meals be for pre-strength training?
30-60 minutes before
- small meal (50% high GI carbs, 50% protein)
What should the amount and composition of meals be for post strength training?
Within 2 hours
- High GI carbohydrates and protein
- Replaces lost glycogen and increases muscles/strength gain
What is creatine?
A legal naturally produced amino acid which is used within the ATP-PC system
What are the benefits of using creatine?
Increases phosphocreatine stores (PC)
Increases duration and intensity of training
Increased muscular hypertrophy
Increase in creatine stores by 50%
What are the risks of using creatine?
Weight gain by water retention
Muscle Cramps
Stomach upsets
Who might use creatine as a nutritional supplement?
Weight lifters
100m sprinter
What are the benefits of caffeine consumption?
Improves focus/alertness as its a stimulant to the CNS
Aids fat metabolism
Decreases fatigue and elevates mood
Preserves glycogen in food improving endurance events
Improved muscular strength
What are the risks of caffeine consumption?
Diuretic
Impacts heat tolerance
Stomach upsets
Anxiety/nervousness
Who might consider using caffeine as a nutritional supplement?
Sprinter - eg. Bolt
Footballer - eg. Ronaldo/Garnacho
What is bicarbonate?
An alkaline which acts as a buffer to neutralise the rise in lactic acid
What are the benefits of bicarbonate?
Increases lactic acid tolerance and delays OBLA
Increase intensity and duration of performance
What are the risks of consuming bicarbonate?
Nausea and dizziness
Stomach upsets
Which athletes might consider bicarbonate use as a nutritional supplement?
Anaerobic athletes
eg. Dina Asher-Smith, Katrina Johnson-Thompson
Where are nitrates found?
Root vegetables
- Beetroot
- radishes
What are the benefits of nitrates?
Vasodilation of blood vessels
- reduces blood pressure
- increases blood flow
eg. Endurance athlete - Mo Farah
What are the risks of nitrates?
Headaches and dizziness
Diarrhoea
Carcinogenic risk
Define aerobic capacity?
The ability of the body to inspire, transport and utiles oxygen to perform sustained periods of aerobic activity
What is VO2 Max?
The maximum volume of oxygen inspired, transported and utilised were mine during exhaustive exercise
(ml/kg/min)
What are the 4 factors affecting aerobic capacity?
Training
Age
Gender
Physiological make up
How does training affect aerobic capacity?
It will increase V02 max by 10-20%
In ageing performs it will maintain VO2 max
It causes long term adaptations such as increased strength of respiratory muscles, increased haemoglobin, myoglobin and mitochondria
How does gender affect aerobic capacity?
Females tend to have 15-30% (10-15ml/kg/min) lower VO2 max than men of the same age group
Females have a higher % of body fat, smaller lung volumes, SV and CO during maximal work
How does physiological make up affect aerobic capacity?
Strong respiratory muscles and large lung capacities inspire more air
Large/strong left ventricle increase SV and CO
High haemoglobin content
Capillarisation - increases surface are for gas exchange - higher % slow oxidative fibres rich in myoglobin and mitochondria
How does age affect aerobic capacity?
From early 20s VO2 max declines approx. 1% per year
- Lost elasticity in heart, blood vessels and lung tissue walls with age reduces efficiency in use and transport. of oxygen
What are the different ways to measure aerobic capacity?
Direct Gas Analysis
Harvard/Queen’s College Step Test
12 minute Cooper Run
Multi-stage fitness test
What is direct gas analysis?
A subject performs continuous exercise at progressive intensities to exhaustion. Expired air is captured by a mask with a tube connected to the flow meter and gas analyser. The concentration of O2 and CO2 are measured.
What are the advantages of Direct Gas Analysis?
Direct objective measurement of VO2 max
Accurate, valid and reliable measure
Test performed during different exercises (eg. run, cycle, row)
in lab or field setting
What are the disadvantages of Direct Gas Analysis?
Maximal test to exhaustion so relies on motivation of performers
Can’t be performed with elderly or those with health conditions
Access to specialist equipment is required
What is the multi-stage fitness test?
A continuous test consisting of 20m shuttle runs at progressive intensities to exhaustion each one timed to an audio cue and the test only finishes when the subject can’t complete the shuttle run in the allotted time
What are the advantages of the multi-stage fitness test?
Large groups can perform the test at the same time
Only simple/cheap equipment is required
Published tables of VO2 max equivalents
What are the disadvantages of the multi-stage fitness test?
Prediction of VO2 Max not measurement
Maximal test to exhaustion so relies on subject motivation. The test is not sport specific
Cannot be used with elderly or those with health conditions.
What is the 12 minute Cooper run?
Continuous running over 12 minutes to achieve a maximum distance performed around a 400m track
What are the advantages of the 12 minute Cooper run?
Large groups can perform the test at the same time
A subject can administer the test on their own
Simple and cheap equipment required
Published tables of Vo2 max and Normative data for simple calculation
What are the disadvantages of the 12 minute Cooper run?
Prediction of VO2 Max not measurement
Maximal test to exhaustion so relies on subject motivation. The test is not sport specific
Cannot be used with elderly or those with health conditions.
Not sport specific
What is the Harvard Step test?
Perform continuous stepping on and off a box 41.3cm high for a period of 3 minutes. Heart rate is taken 5 seconds after completing the test for 15 seconds. HR recovery is used to predict VO2 max
What are the advantages of the Harvard step test?
Submaximal test
Simple and cheap equipment required
HR easily monitored
Published tables of normative data
Simple VO2 max calculation
What are the disadvantages of the Harvard step test?
Prediction of VO2 max not measurement
HR recovery affected by prior exercise, food and fluid intake
Test is not sport specific
Step height may disadvantage shorter subjects
What are the two types of aerobic training?
Continuous and Fartlex
HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
Describe continuous training?
Steady state at a low intensity (60 - 80% Max HR)
Long duration of 20 - 80 minutes
eg. Swimming, Cycling, Running
What should the intensity of continuous training be?
60 - 80% Max HR
What should the duration of continuous training be?
20 - 80 minutes
What are the disadvantages of Continuous training?
Can cause overuse injuries
Not sport specific for game players
What is fartlek training?
A variation of continuous training which mixes steady states and higher intensities with different terrain
What is HIIT?
Periods of high intensity work followed by periods of rest
Work;
80 -95% Max HR
5sec - 8 mins
Rest
40 - 50% Max HR
Equal length to work
What should the intensity of work during HIIT training be?
80-95% Max HR
What should the intensity of rest during HIIT training be?
40 - 50% Max HR
What should the duration of work during HIIT training be?
5 sec - 8 mins
What should the duration of rest during HIIT training be?
Equal to length of work (5 sec - 8 mins)
What are the disadvantages of HIIT training?
Requires longer recovery and good aerobic base
Sedentary individuals need to seek medical advice before starting HIIT
What are the respiratory adaptations to aerobic training?
Stronger respiratory - increase maximum lung volumes
Increased SA alveoli - More internal gas exchange
What are the cardiovascular adaptations to aerobic training?
Cardiac hypertrophy - increased SV, CO, filling capacity and force of contraction
Elasticity of arterial walls - Increased vascular shunt mechanism
Increased blood plasma volume - reduced blood viscosity snd more venous return
Increased red blood cell - Greater aerobic capacity and gas exchange
Greater capillarisation of alveoli and slow oxidative fibres - increased SA for blood flow and gas exchange plus shorter diffusion distance
What are the muscular adaptations to aerobic training?
Hypertrophy of slow twitch - delay OBLA and more aerobic energy produced
Increased size and density of mitochondria - metabolism of triglycerides + aerobic energy
Increased myoglobin stores - more storage and transport of o2 to mitochondria
Increased triglyceride and glycogen store - aerobic entry and duration of performance increases
Increased FOG muscle fibres become aerobic - more fuel for aerobic energy production
What are the metabolic adaptations to aerobic training?
Increased activity of aerobic enzymes - more metabolism of triglycerides and glycogen
Reduced fat mass - increased lean mass - metabolic rate causes breakdown of triglycerides
Greater insulin resistance - Improved glycogen tolerance
plus treatment/prevention of type 2 diabetes
Define strength endurance?
The ability to withstand a repeated muscle contractions over a period of time