30835 - Exercise physiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: known the principles of the major integrative energy and metabolic processes of motor activity at various intensities of exercise; knows the modifications and muscular adaptations, cardio-circulatory and respiratory that accompanying exercise; he/she is able to detect the quantitative values ​​ of the main functional, metabolic, cardio-circulatory a nd respiratory parameters during acute exercise at varying intensity, comparing them to the normal areas of variability in normal health adults. He/she is able to discuss motor activity adjustment caused by physical exercise, metabolic functions, on the cardio-circulatory and respiratory systems, knowing the quantitative functional changes and their variability. He/she is equipped with adequate basic functional and metabolic aspects of the individual who practice exercise, with age-and gender-specific; know the basics of functional responses and adaptations of the organism to modified environments, such as the deep sea and the climatic change.

Course contents

Exercise physiology   
Mechanical aspects of skeletal muscle contraction: Innervation of skeletal muscle. Neuromuscular plaque. Neuro motor units. Types of contraction. Isometric discharge simple. Tension-length relationship. Isotonic discharge. Speed-strength relationship. Tetanus and muscle fatigue. Types of muscle fibers. Motor centers of the muscles. Modulation of muscle strength. Electromyography.  
Energy metabolism and muscular work: Energy balance and calorimetry. Resting metabolism and metabolism of activity. Energy reserves of the organism. Thermodynamics of muscle contraction. Oxidative processes. Steady state. Transient phases and oxygen debt. Maximum oxygen consumption. Mechanism of  lactate. Alattacide anaerobic energy sources.   
Acute cardiovascular responses during physical exercise: changes of cardiac function during exercise. Change in heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, blood pressure, venous return in relation to different levels of exercise intensity. Redistribution of flow during exercise. Integration of cardio-circulatory responses. Stress ECG. Pulmonary circulation during exercise.  
Acute respiratory responses during physical exercise:  Ventilatory changes during various exercise intensities. Maximal voluntary ventilation during exercise. Changes in lung and blood partial pressures of respiratory gases at different levels of intensity. Gas exchange during exercise. Variations of the extraction of O2. Integration of ventilatory responses. The ventilatory equivalent of O2, the brakepoint respiratory and anaerobic threshold. Acid-base balance during exercise. Thermoregulatory and circulatory function in muscular work. Water balance in exercise of varying intensity. Acclimatization to heat and cold.  
Body temperature regulation: Assessment of body heat. Mechanisms of thermogenesis and thermolysis. Importance of climate. Hypothalamic thermostat. Physiological responses to heat and cold. . Thermoregulation and muscle metabolism during the year.  
Muscular and metabolic adaptations: functional modifications induced by training the muscles. Nervous and trophic factors and their combination storm. Changes in vascularity of the muscles. Effects of immobilization and recovery after retraining. Modifications of the types of muscle fibers. Changes in the lactic threshold, the respiratory quotient and the consumption of O2.  
Cardio-respiratory adaptations to training: Changes in long-term: heart size, stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output, muscle blood flow, blood pressure, blood volume, and blood composition. Long-term changes in lung volume, respiratory rate, ventilation, gas exchange and transport of gases.  
Controls and hormonal adaptations in physical exercise: Hormonal control of energy processes and outstanding during the year. Primary hormonal response to exercise, their mechanism and physiological significance.

Teaching methods

Class lessions. Practical exercises in small groups. Seminars and self-assessment tests for self-knowledge

Assessment methods

The exam will be oral on the topics covered during the course included practical exercises

Teaching tools

Tools for Teaching:   The course has, for the practical work, tools for the evaluation of muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory changes during exercise, including: miography, heart rate monitors, electrocardiographs, ergometers, metabolimeter.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Piras