the challenge of exercise Flashcards
what aspects of homeostasis does physical activity present a challenge to? (5)
- energy balance
- pH
- Thermal balance
- fluid balance
- ionic balance
what are the adaptive responses to improve efficiency of regular aerobic exercise? (6)
- musculoskeletal remodelling
- cardiovascular remodelling
- improved O2 deliver (increased capillary density)
- mitochondrial biogenesis
- improved energy turnover
- improved thermoregulation
what is mitochondrial biogenesis
- the process by which cells increase their mitochondrial mass and number
how does regular exercise improve cardiovascular functioning, at the organ, cellular and whole body level
- Organ level - increasing maximum cardiac output
- cellular level - enhancing calcium handing in cardiomyocytes
- whole body level - lowering blood pressure
what other metabolic functions are enhanced by regular aerobic exercise? (3)
- insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate tolerance
- lipid lipoprotein metabolism
- mitochondrial enzyme activity
what is citrate synthase?
- an enzyme involved in the first step of the kreb cycle
- exclusively located within the mitochondrial matrix
- used as a marker of mitochodnrial density/ content within cells
what are the 4 types of physical fitness:
- cardiovascular (aerobic) fitness
- muscular strength and endurance
- body compositon (lean-to-fat ratio)
- flexibility
what are neurotrophic factors?
- a group of proteins that play essential roles in growth, survival, and function of neurons in the nervous system
- play a crucial role in synaptic plasticity
what is synaptic plasticity?
the ability of synpases to change and adapt in response to experience and activity
what is neurogenesis? (3_
- the process of generating new neurons from stem cells
- occurs primarily in the hippocampus
- occurs during ages of embryonic development at the highest level
what are UTRIs?
- upper respiratory tract infections (common cold)
at what age does your physiological function begin to decline?
30
* same trend in active and sedentary lifestyles
the risk factors of inactivity that manifest relatively rapid (weeks) (3)
- cardiac and skeletal muscle deconditioning
- dysregulation of glucose homeostasis
- upregulaion of fat synthesis and deposition
what are the 3 main diseases that exercise can help combat?
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes type 2
- osteoporosis
- COPD
diabetes type 2 (1)
- insulin resistance where bodys cells become less responsive to insulin
what is osteoporosis?
- a medical condition characterised by weakened bones that are more prone to fracture
what are the other key benefits of physical exercise aside from cardiovascular function? (5)
- improves digestive function
- alleviates menstrual cramps
- enhances quality of sleep
- eases/eliminates back pain
- reduces risk of cancer
what out of the main 3 components affecting VO2 max is the factor that is not usually the limiting one?
- respiratory system
what influences performance ability? (7)
- lifestyle
- genetics
- physical environment
- injury status
- training regime
- psychological factors
- diet
what is morphological optimisation? (2)
- the process of improving the structure or form of an organism or system
- to enhance its performance or function within a given environment
what is EPO? (4)
- erythropoietin
- a hormone produced primarily by kidneys in response to low oxygen levels in the blood
- plays a crucial role in the regulation of red blood cell formation
- improves oxygen transport in blood
what does endogenous mean?
the nautral release of something
how many known genes are linked to elite athlete status?
over 165
* 2/3 relate to endurance
* 1/3 relate to power
why is gene doping detection difficult? (2)
- induced cell signals or protein products are indistinguishable from natural equivalents
- may be localised and not enter blood stream
