Exercise Physiology Notes

Flashcards based on key concepts and terminology from exercise physiology lecture notes.

Homeotherm

An organism that maintains a constant body core temperature regardless of environmental conditions.

Heat loss mechanisms

Includes radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation; critical for regulating body temperature during exercise.

Radiation

Transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another via infrared rays.

Conduction

Heat loss due to direct contact with a cooler surface.

Convection

Heat transfer through the movement of air or fluid.

Evaporation

Process where skin converts water (sweat) to water vapor, crucial for heat loss during exercise.

Voluntary heat production

Heat generated during physical activities such as exercise.

Involuntary heat production

Heat generated by automatic responses, including shivering and nonshivering thermogenesis.

Hypothalamus

The body's thermostat that regulates internal temperature by initiating appropriate responses to changes.

Acclimation

Physiological adaptation to repeated exposure to a hot environment.

VO2 max

The maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during exercise.

Anaerobic performance

High-intensity, short-duration exercise that does not rely on oxygen and uses stored energy sources.

Heat acclimatization factors

Includes previous exposure to heat, fitness level, clothing type, environmental conditions, and hydration.

Preload

The initial stretching of the cardiac muscle fibers before contraction, enhanced by increased blood volume due to training.

Afterload

The pressure against which the heart must work to eject blood, decreased with training.

Contractility

The ability of heart muscle to contract stronger, improved through endurance training.

Mitochondria

Cellular structures that produce energy; increased number improves muscle's oxygen utilization.

Detraining effects

Reversal of physiological adaptations due to cessation of training, leading to decreases in muscle function.

Neural adaptations

Changes in the nervous system that enhance motor unit recruitment, synchronization, and firing rates during resistance training.

Hypertrophy

Increase in muscle size due to resistance training.

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of muscle fibers, a potential adaptation to resistance training.