General Descriptions of the Areas of Study in Exercise Physiology
Acute Responses to Exercise
Responses that occur in a single bout of exercise
       The length of the bout may vary from a few seconds to several hours

       Areas of research related to acute exercise:
          Why is performance decreased in hot and humid environments?
          What are the primary fuel sources providing energy during endurance
             and resistance training?
          Are ergogenic aids effective in increasing work performance?
          What are the physologic and biochemical mechanisms responsible for
             fatigue during exercise?
          What are the cardiovascular adjustments to prolonged endurance
             exercise?
Chronic Adaptations to Exercise
How does the body adapt while being chronically exposed to exercise stress over the long term?
       What changes occur that are recognized at both rest and during exercise?

       Areas of research related to chronic exercise:
             Can muscle fibers be converted from one type to another by specific
                 training practices?
             Is the muscle fiber type distribution different in athletes of different
                 specialties?
             Does weight training increase maximum oxygen consumption?
             What are the causes of the gender difference in maximum oxygen
                 comsumption?
             What are the physical differences produced by fitness training?
             What are the physiologic consequences of overtraining?
             What combinations of training duration and frequency are best for
                 weight control?


 
The Activity Continuum
Metabolic Response

    Class:   Power                         Speed                                        Endurance

Anaerobic ----------------------------------------------------------------------->Aerobic

    Time:   0      3                           50                                               >120





Hemodynamic Response

    Class:   Power                        Speed                                        Endurance

Pressure                                                                                           Volume
Loaded --------------------------------------------------------------------------->Loaded

    Time:   0      3                         50                                                 >120