Exercise physiology: an Overview

Exercise physiology is the study of the body’s response and its adaptation to the stress of exercise. Exercise physiologists are concerned with investigating both the immediate (acute) and the long term (chronic) effects of exercise on all aspects of body functioning. These effects include the responses of the muscular system, the action of the nervous system during physical activity, the adjustments of the respiratory system, and the dynamics of the cardiovascular system. Improving the body’s response to exercise also is an important area of study. The effects of exercise are examined at different levels, ranging from the subcellular level to the systemic level. Describing and explaining the myriad of functional changes brought about by exercise sessions of variable duration and intensity is one of the primary functions of exercise physiologists.

As a subdiscipline, exercise physiology is one of the largest and most popular area of study within the realm of physical education and sport. It has one of the richest traditions; interest in the effects of exercise on the body can be traced to ancient times. Today the depth and breadth of knowledge in exercise physiology is growing rapidly because of the proliferation of research, which is facilitated by increasingly sophisticated technology and by the widespread interest of professionals in this field.

3.1. Listen to the text “Exercise Physiology: An Overview”.

3.2. Answer the questions:

1. What kind of study is Exercise physiology? 2. What are exercise physiologists

concerned with? 3. What do these effects include? 4. At what levels are the effects of exercise examined? 5. How popular is exercise physiology as an area of study? 6. How is this discipline developing now?

3.3. Match the words:

3.4. Open the brackets and put a verb into proper tense form.

1. The relationship between physical activity and health (give) physical educators

the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the health of the nation. 2. Physical educators (ca, help) people of all ages and in a diversity of settings (incorporate) physical activity into their lives and (improve) their health. 3. One of our primary missions (should, be) to assist people to lead a physically active lifestyle so that they (may, accrue) desirable health benefits.

3.5. Put questions to the words and phrases in italic.

1. Professionals also must make concerted efforts to reach adults and other segments of the population that historically have a low level of participation in physical fitness and physical activity. 2. Special attempts are needed to reach minority ethnic groups, less educated adults, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with chronic diseases. 3. Corporate fitness programs, commercial health and fitness clubs, community-sponsored programs, and continuing education programs can play an important role in educating all segments of the population about physical fitness, physical activity, and health. 4. To reach a greater number of people, programs at worksites and community settings are needed to provide easy and inexpensive access to services that will facilitate the promotion of lifelong physical activity in these population groups.

3.6. Give a talk on “Exercise Physiology: An Overview”.

IV. Listening comprehension.