Bioenergetics can be defined as the study of biological energy transformation. Get more information on how the body transforms energy from foods. The 1st law of thermodynamics states that energy is not produced or created but just transferred around. In other words, the body doesn’t produce any energy but simply transfers the energy derived from…
Month: February 2012
The Roles of Enzymes and Coenzymes
Learn more about how enzymes and coenzymes do their job, responsibility of coenzymes and factors altering enzyme activity. Talking Points You will learn about: Functions of enzymes How enzymes do their job Functions of coenzymes Responsibility of coenzymes Factors altering enzyme activity Enzymes Enzymes have two functions, (1) they control the speed of cellular chemical…
Why High Protein Diets Can Impair Your Performance
High protein diets are very popular among athletes for various reasons yet they can contribute to a decrease in performance. Weather it is losing body weight or gaining muscle mass, many athletes go on a high protein diet for different reasons yet they often times neglect to adjust their drinking behavior accordingly. What they don’t…
How to Pick High Protein Quality Foods
Consuming protein is essential when you want to gain muscle mass or aid the muscle recovery process after tough matches or practice session yet protein quality varies. Sure, protein supplements can be helpful yet you can also get high quality protein from your diet if you make the right food choices. On the other hand…
What is Fat?
Fat belongs to the group of nutrients called lipids and they are available in three forms. Fat is the preferred fuel source during aerobic activities. What Is Fat? Fat belongs to the group of nutrients called lipids and they are available in three forms but only one yields energy, triglycerides! Stored body fat is an…
What is Glycogen?
What is glycogen? It is the storage form of glucose and it’s being stored in the liver and in muscle cells and can be broken down quickly to provide energy! What is Glycogen? The storage form of glucose in the body is glycogen, which is a complex carbohydrate (polysaccharide) stored in animal tissue, and it…
What is Glucose?
Glucose, also known as blood sugar, is a monosaccharide that can be found in foods and the body uses it for energy. It provides almost all the energy in the human brain and it is the body’s preferential source of energy during exercise but it cannot be eaten directly. The body takes carbohydrates, breaks them down,…
Introducing Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy during a tennis match. They play different roles depending on their form. Carbohydrates are the ideal form of energy during anaerobic metabolism (short duration/high intensity activities; e.g. 100m sprint). At the molecular level a carbohydrate atom consists of: 6 carbon (C) molecules 12 hydrogen (H) molecules 6…
The Role of Nutrients in Sports
Understanding the role of nutrients in sports is important since nutrients are fuel for energy systems and having more energy aids in optimizing performance on the court. The body uses nutrients to grow, restore body tissue, and provide energy to perform work. The body requires some nutrients in large quantities, called macronutrients, and other nutrients…
Cell Structure & Function
Conceptually, a cell can be thought of as a factory that can produce (synthesize) various compounds to ensure that the body operates properly. A single cell can be divided into three parts: cell (or plasma) membrane nucleus cytoplasm Cell Membrane: The cell membrane is semipermeable, which means that certain substances can enter the cell but…
Exercise Physiology: Study of Body Changes Due to Exercise
Exercise physiology can be defined as the scientific study of what is happening inside the body due to exercise (physical activity). More specifically, exercise physiology is the study of cued-responses to exercise and the adaptations that occur with training; a short-term change is called a response and a long-term change causing a relatively permanent change…
How the Body Controls Its Internal Environment
A competitive tennis match or working out hard in the gym can pose a challenge to various of the body’s control systems since exercise increases metabolic demands (e.g. lactic acid build up) thereby challenging homeostasis. Therefore, if one understands how things are being processed inside the body then one can understand what needs to be…