The Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology

Part 2 of this textbook includes the fundamental aspects of exercise physiology. It begins with the nervous system which functions as a communication system in the body. The nervous system provides feedback to the brain and spinal cord from a number of sensors distributed throughout the body and communicates with appropriate effectors to execute the commands of the central nervous system: motor function, autonomic responses, smooth muscle contraction and relaxation and secretion of hormones. Chapter 3 is followed by a chapter describing skeletal muscle structure. Muscle is highly organized from the sarcomere level to myocytes and whole muscles. Chapter 5 presents skeletal muscle contraction. Exercise is the use of our muscles for expression of force and movement. Exercise physiology is the study of how the body responds to this exercise, making this an important chapter. Following muscle contraction is a chapter on energetics and metabolism. Then the support systems are covered: the pulmonary (Chapter 7) and cardiovascular  systems (Chapter 8) that respond in exercise to minimize the disturbance to homeostasis. Additional mechanisms to regulate homeostasis are covered in Chapter 9. This includes heat dissipation, and regulation of ion concentrations. Chapter 10 presents the approaches taken in quantifying the metabolic capabilities of the body and Chapter 11 deals with the nutritional requirements imposed by exercise. Chapter 12 describes body composition, how it is assessed and how exercise affects the composition of our body. With a knowledge of these fundamental concepts in exercise physiology, you will be ready to tackle Part 3, the Integration of exercise physiology.