Exercise physiology and fitness

One of the most rapidly growing fields of specialization in physical education is that of exercise physiology. Exercise physiology is the study of the effects of exercise on the body. Specifically, exercise physiology is concerned with the body’s responses and adaptations to exercise, ranging from the system to the subcellular levels. These modifications can be short term, that is, lasting only for the duration of the activity, or long term, present as long as the activity is continued on a regular basis. Knowledge of exercise physiology is essential for the practitioner.

The field of exercise physiology provides practitioners a wealth of information to guide their endeavors. Practitioners, whether they are teachers in a school or nonschool setting, coaches fitness leaders employed in commercial club, or exercise physiologists working in a corporate fitness setting or a hospital, must understand the body’s responses to exercise. Knowledge of the principles governing different types of training programs and the guidelines to be followed in constructing an exercise prescription enables practitioners to design programs to meet each individual’s needs and goals.

The field of exercise physiology has become increasingly sophisticated. New research procedures and measurement techniques coupled with advances in equipment, computer technology, and other related disciplines such as biochemistry have contributed to rapid expansion of the knowledge base. Fitness is a major area of study for the exercise physiologist. While fitness and the elite performer long have been a key concern of the exercise physiologist, interest in recent years has encompassed virtually all aspects of human performance and people of all skill abilities and of all ages, from very young to the elderly, including individuals with disabilities.

2.1. Listen to the text “Exercise Physiology and Fitness”.

2.2. Answer the questions:

1. What is one of the most rapidly growing fields of specialization in physical education? 2. What is exercise physiology concerned with? 3. Is knowledge of exercise physiology essential for the practitioner? 4. What principles must practitioners follow in constructing programs to meet each individual’s needs and goals? 5. What has made the field of exercise physiology increasingly sophisticated lately? 6. What aspects of human performance is the exercise physiologist interested in?

2.3. Find the English equivalents for the words and phrases:

складний /витончений, новітня наукова методика, спортсмен високого класу, інвалід/індивід з фізичними вадами, маса (інформації), швидко, зокрема / особливо, знання фізіології, на постійному підгрунті, внутрішньоклітинний, продовжується, реакція організму, у діапазоні, працювати за наймом, тренувальні рекомендації, установка/директива, відповідати вимогам та запитам кожного, складати програми, спрямовувати прагнення, адаптація до фізичної діяльності, вимірювальна техніка, разом з, дійсно/фактично, вміщувати /охоплювати

2.4. Complete each sentence with a word from a box.