Metabolism and Exercise Physiology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to metabolism and exercise physiology, focusing on definitions and concepts discussed in the lecture.

Metabolism

The process by which your body converts food into energy.

Aerobic Exercise

Exercise that requires a lot of oxygen and lasts for extended periods, typically over a few minutes.

Power Exercise

Short-duration high-intensity exercise, lasting up to 20 seconds, aimed at building strength and power.

Creatine Phosphate

A molecule that helps regenerate ATP, allowing muscles to sustain short bursts of activity.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The energy currency of the cell, used in various metabolic processes.

VO2 Max

The maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise, an indicator of aerobic fitness.

Lactic Acid

A byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, often associated with muscle fatigue.

Capillary Density

The number of capillaries per unit area of muscle, which increases with aerobic training.

Insulin Sensitivity

The body's ability to respond to insulin; higher sensitivity is associated with better metabolic health.

Resistance Exercise

A form of strength training that enhances muscle strength and endurance.

Exercise Training

A systematic program designed to improve physical performance over time.

Endurance Training

Training focused on increasing the ability to sustain prolonged exercise.

EPO (Erythropoietin)

A hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, often abused for performance-enhancement.

Anabolic Steroids

Synthetic drugs that mimic testosterone to increase muscle mass and strength.

Aerobic Capacity

The maximum rate at which the body can consume oxygen during intense exercise.

Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Substances used to improve any form of activity performance in humans.

Body Composition

The proportion of fat and non-fat mass in your body, often assessed for health indicators.

Protein Synthesis

The process of forming proteins in the body, which is crucial for muscle repair and growth.

Micro Damage

Small tears in muscle tissues that occur during exercise, leading to muscle growth during recovery.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic

Aerobic requires oxygen and is for endurance tasks; anaerobic does not and is for short spurts of high intensity.

Creatine

A supplement often used to boost performance in short bursts of intense exercise.

Fitness

The ability to perform physical activity, often measured by endurance and strength metrics.