Exercise Physiology - Extremebodyworkout - P90X

Each day, millions of people exercise to strengthen their body and improve their health. However, most people don’t realize how the mechanics of exercising actually works. This is why there is a field of study known as exercise physiology. It’s the study of understanding how the body functions during acute and chronic conditions, when a person is exercising. Since exercise affects everything about your body, you should understand how it works before you attempt it.

Understanding Physiology of Exercise

• Division of Exercise Physiology at WVU
• Muscle Physiology Primer
• Journal of Exercise Physiology

The Heart

No matter what type of exercise people engage in, the heart is affected. Considered a muscle, the heart is responsible for the movement of blood throughout the entire body. During exercise, the heart starts pumping more rapidly to get the blood moving more quickly throughout the body and carry oxygen where it needs to be. Exercise, no matter what kind, actually strengthens the heart, keeping it healthy and in shape.

• Heart Rate During Exercise
• Physiology of the Heart
• Exercise and the Heart
• Effects of Exercise on the Cardiovascular System
• Endurance and Events and the Heart

Skeletal Muscles

Not many people realize this but it’s the skeletal muscles that actually hold their bones in place. These muscles are made up of muscle fibers and are linked to the bones by bundles of collagen fibers that are called tendons. Tearing these tendons result in significant pain and damage to the body. When professional athletes suffer such injuries, they will usually be out for a significant period of time. There are actually different types of muscle fibers as well. Without skeletal muscles, the body cannot move at all, and exercise is definitely out of the question.  

• Skeletal Muscles
• Effects of Exercise on Muscle Fiber
• Skeletal Muscle Structure
• Introduction to Skeletal Muscle Physiology

Interval Training

• Interval Training Facts: Provides information on interval training.
• Interval Training Basics: Lays out the basics of interval training.
• Interval Training Purposes: Touches on the purpose of interval training.
• Interval Training Information: Discusses important details about interval training.

Gender Differences in Performance and Training

• Gender Injury Differences: Shows how females are more likely to become injured during certain athletic activities.
• Gender Differences in Endurance Performance and Training: Touches on all the major gender differences.
• Gender Differences in Fat Metabolism: Explains how the male and female body metabolize fats, and what must be done to burn it off.

Strength Training and Performance

• Strength Training for Women: How a woman should go about strength training.
• Muscle Physiology of Strength Training: Shows how strength training affects the muscles.
• Strength Training: Links to multiple sources of information about strength training.