Structural And Mechanistic Determinants Of Endurance Performance

The study of performance capacity (defined as the ability of an animal to conduct a key task) holds great interest at both ecological and evolutionary levels. In this book, the topic is addressed using examples from throughout the animal kingdom, identifying common themes that transcend taxonomy.

Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.

"Athletes participating at all levels of endurance performance can relate to the impact of psychological factors. Whether it be exercise-induced pain, self-belief, anxiety, sticking to a pacing strategy, or focusing on internal or external influences, there are a vast number of issues which can affect endurance. Bringing together experts in endurance performance from around the world, this is the first text to provide a detailed overview of the psychology of endurance performance with an emphasis on research or applied focus, including both main theoretical models as well as how interventions can support an athlete's efficacy and well-being. The authors look at regulatory processes around pain, decision-making, emotions and meta-cognition, before a range of cognitive strategies, including using imagery, self-talk and mindfulness techniques, are examined. With a final section of the book outlining issues related to mental health that are relevant to endurance performance, the book shows that the future of research and application of psychological theory in endurance performance in sport is bright and thriving. Aimed at students, researchers, coaches and athletes themselves, this is essential reading for anyone wishing to better understand how our minds experience endurance in performance arenas, and what techniques work better to make us more efficient"--

Despite its crucial importance, scientists interested in the limitations of human physical performance have only just started to give the field of oxygen uptake kinetics the attention it deserves. Understanding the principal determinant of the oxygen uptake kinetics is fundamental to improving human performance or the quality of life. This book provides a detailed overview of the current state of knowledge of this emerging field of study, and features: * an introduction to oxygen uptake kinetics and historical development of the discipline * measurement and analysis of oxygen uptake kinetics * control of and limitations to oxygen uptake kinetics * applications of oxygen uptake kinetics in a range of human populations. Oxygen Uptake Kinetics in Sport, Health and Medicine is richly illustrated and structured to enable easy access of information and represents an invaluable resource for students and researchers in exercise physiology, as well as for respiratory physiologists and pulmonary clinicians.

Exercise training provokes widespread transformations in the human body, requiring coordinated changes in muscle composition, blood flow, neuronal and hormonal signaling, and metabolism. These changes enhance physical performance, improve mental health, and delay the onset of aging and disease. Understanding the molecular basis of these changes is therefore important for optimizing athletic ability and for developing drugs that elicit therapeutic effects. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine examines the biological basis of exercise from the molecular to the systemic levels. Contributors discuss how transcriptional regulation, cytokine and hormonal signaling, glucose metabolism, epigenetic modifications, microRNA profiles, and mitochondrial and ribosomal functions are altered in response to exercise training, leading to improved skeletal muscle, hippocampal, and cardiovascular function. Cross talk among the pathways underlying tissue-specific and systemic responses to exercise is also considered. The authors also discuss how the understanding of such molecular mechanisms may lead to the development of drugs that mitigate aging and disease. This volume will therefore serve as a vital reference for all involved in the fields of sports science and medicine, as well as anyone seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms by which exercise promotes whole-body health.