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Exercise Physiology: An Overview

EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY: AN OVERVIEW

What is Exercise Physiology?

• Exercise Physiology is the study of the effects of exercise on the body.

• Specifically, Exercise Physiology is concerned with the body’s responses &

adaptations to the stress of exercise, ranging from the system level (e.g.,
cardiovascular system) to the subcellular level (e.g., production of ATP for energy).

• These modifications can be short term – that is lasting only for the duration of the
activity/exercise – or long term – present as long as the activity is continued on a regular
basis.

• Exercise physiologists are interested in both the acute (immediate) & chronic (long-term)
effects & adaptations of exercise on all aspects of body functioning.

• Acute adaptations – the changes in human physiology that occur during exercise.

• Chronic adaptations – the alterations in the structure & functions of the body that occur in
response to the regular completion of exercise or physical activity.

• Exercise training – the repeated use of exercise to improve physical fitness.

Exercise Physiology

The study of how body structure & function is altered by exposure to physical activity
and exercise.

Sport Physiology

The application of the concepts of exercise physiology to training athletes & enhancing
sports performance. (Sport Physiology is derived or evolved from Exercise Physiology)

The Importance of exercise physiology to the practitioner

• Knowledge from exercise physiology is used to design effective fitness programs for people
of all ages, to guide the development & implementations of cardiac rehabilitation programs,
to plan programs to help children & youths to incorporate physical activity into their life,
and to structure rehabilitation programs for injured athletes.