Chapter 1

Physiology of Exercise
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance, 6th edition
Scott K. Powers & Edward T. Howley

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023

What is Exercise Physiology?

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023

What is Exercise Physiology?

Definition: the study of how the body (cell, tissue, organ,system)

responds in function and structure to (1) acute exercise stress,
and (2) chronic physical activity.

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023
What is Exercise Physiology?

Definition: the study of how the body (cell, tissue, organ,

system) responds in function and structure to
(1) acute exercise stress, and
(2) chronic physical activity.

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023
What is Clinical Exercise Physiology?

A sub-component of exercise physiology that involves the

application of exercise physiology principles, knowledge
and skills for purposes of the prevention, rehabilitation or
diagnosis of disease or disability in humans.

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023
Physical Activity and Health

• Chronic disease – major threat to health today

• Hypokinetic diseases
• Diseases caused by insufficient physical activity, often in
conjunction with inappropriate dietary practices.
• Coronary heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, non-
insulin diabetes, chronic back pain, and obesity

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023
Physical Inactivity & Health

• Inactivity a risk factor for several diseases

• Individuals who lead a sedentary lifestyle have
increased risk of morbidity and mortality.
• Inactive individuals have almost twice the risk of
CHD as those who are active
• The degree of risk is similar to cigarette smoking,
hypertension, and obesity.

José Soares | Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto 2023