Exercise Physiologist

Physiologist are very helpful to athletes because they are measuring the amount of oxygen the athlete is using in a specific exercise. They also measure how hard the athlete is working on any specific task and as a result they crate special training programs to better the athlete's performance.

Energy Pathways:
ATP: this is the most basic type of energy inside the body, before any work is done you will find that small amounts of ATP is kept in the muscles. When the muscle is suppossed to contract ATP breaks down which activates the sliding filaments and allows a contraction to occur. Since ATP is now broken down it forms ADP and when this is paired with CP then more ATP is created.

The anaerobic pathway provides energy for longer periods of time. Once all of the CP has been used this pathway is accessed. In this case glucose is needed in order to form more ATP.

Aerobic Metabolism is used in endurance events. ATP is produced when the body's transport of oxygen to the muscles which generates more ATP from sugars and fats.

Terms:

• VO2 Max: The maximum amount of oxygen a person can breathe in for use, while exercising.
• Lactic Acid: The product of glycolysis resulting in fatigue.
• Aerobic Respiration: Energy pathway where ATP is produced by oxygen being transported to the muscles creating more ATP from sugars and fats, is analyzed by an exercise physiologist designing training activities to enhance necessary energy pathways.
• Anaerobic Respiration: This energy pathway taps into glucose to generate more ATP
• ATP/CP: Are 2 pathways which work together when ATP is broken down forming ADP. ADP gets paired with CP to create more ATP.
• Glycolysis: it is very important for an athlete to understand this because glucose is directly used to create more ATP. This helps athletes understand lactate threshold.
• Carbohydrates: very important energy source for an athlete because ATP and CP rely on glucose to replenish energy
• Fats: Also used to replenish energy reserves; they are tapped into second. A physioloogist and athlete work together to maintain a diet of roughly 30% fat needed.
• Proteins: not used for energy replenishment, however is essential for the build up of muscle, and compromise about 15% of an athletes diet.

Step Test:
This is a cardiovascular test designed to measure endurance. You are supposed to step up and down on a step for a total of 3 straight minutes while recording their heart rate. The lower your heart rate is after the test, the healthier you are.