Exercise physiology

Exercise physiology is the study of the body's responses to physical activity. These responses include changes in metabolism and in physiology of different areas of the body like the heart, lungs, and muscles, and structural changes in cells. The study of exercise physiology may include subjects such as nutrition, metabolism, anatomy, biochemistry, and cell biology.

Overview

Exercise physiology is a sub-discipline of kinesiology that addresses the short-term biological responses to the stress of physical activity and how the body adapts to repeated bouts of physical activity over time. As such, exercise physiology professionals often have the responsibility of conditioning a person to a higher level of fitness and/or health while, at the same time, being aware of safety issues (risk of injury, illness, environmental exposure, etc.) associated with a single bout of exercise. The types of stress that the body can endure, whether they be physical, mental, or both, are immense.

History

The study of exercise physiology dates back to ancient civilizations. Ancient Greeks, for example, were aware of the effects of physical fitness on the performance of their athletes. In the modern era, the study of exercise physiology has expanded to include the study of the body's responses to physical stress, such as exercise, and the adaptations that occur over time with regular physical activity.

Fields of Study

Exercise physiology is a broad field, but it generally focuses on the study of how the body responds to exercise. This can include studying the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and the musculoskeletal system. Exercise physiologists may also study how the body metabolizes nutrients during exercise, how hormones and other biochemical agents affect the body during exercise, and how the body recovers from exercise.

Applications

Exercise physiology has many practical applications. It is used in clinical settings to help rehabilitate patients with chronic diseases or injuries. It is also used in sports settings to help athletes improve their performance and prevent injuries. In addition, exercise physiology is used in research settings to help understand the human body and how it responds to physical activity.

See Also

• Kinesiology
• Metabolism
• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Cell biology

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