The History of Exercise Physiology

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.- Plato

Exercise Physiology Definition: The study of how exercise influences the structure and function of the human body both during exercise as well as after long term exposure of repeated exercise participation.

History of Exercise

Ancient Cave man –Run and escape from predators –Hunt for food Evidence of cave paintings of yoga practice

Greeks Heroticus 5 th century BC –Documented benefits of nutritional science combined with complex training regimens to heighten one’s health.

Hippocrates 400BC Recommended a proper diet and physical training of the “non violent type” –Heavy exercise was discouraged –Heavy exercise increased body temperature which was associated with disease (fever)

Claudius Galin Galin of Perganenum circa 160AD The first true Exercise Physiologist –His definition of exercise: Vigorous movement and increased respiration

Caristobal Mendez Spanish physician 1553 published “The Book of Bodily Exercise” Talked about –Benefits of ex –Types of exercises –When to do them

European Heritage Three physiologists received the Nobel Prize for work related to muscles and exercise –A.V. Hill Heat production during muscle contraction and recovery –Otto Meyerhof Relationship of O 2 consumption and lactic acid in muscle –August Krogh Capillary circulation European Heritage

Archibald Vivian Hill Experiments included the production of heat in working muscle and recovery Ran around a grass track with a bag device attached to the mouth Coined the term “oxygen debt”

Otto Meyerhoff Germany Showed relationship between the consumption of O 2 and the production of lactic acid

August Krogh Won Nobel prize in 1920 for the capillary motor regulatory mechanism –Capillaries that fed active muscle tissue were dilated during exercise

Harvard Fatigue Laboratory First Ex Phys lab in the USA David Bruce Dill –Research director – Key facility for EP study Early research came from this facility

Harvard Fatigue Laboratory Scientists such as Krogh participated in lab and field studies Published many works Used as a model for other EP labs

Active Research Areas in the Harvard Fatigue Laboratory –Metabolism Maximal oxygen uptake Oxygen debt Carbohydrate and fat metabolism during long- term work –Environmental physiology Altitude Dry and moist heat Cold –Clinical physiology Gout Schizophrenia Diabetes –Aging Basal metabolic rate Maximal oxygen uptake Maximal heart rate –Blood Acid-base balance O 2 saturation: role of PO 2, PCO 2, and carbon monoxide Nutrition Nutritional assessment techniques Vitamins Foods –Physical fitness Harvard Step Test Harvard Fatigue Laboratory

Comparison of Old and New Technology Figure 1.1 Harvard Fatigue Laboratory

In Summary  The Harvard Fatigue laboratory was a focal point in the development of exercise physiology in the United States.  The body of research in exercise produced in that laboratory forms the basis of much of what we know today. Harvard Fatigue Laboratory

Physical Fitness Interest in Physical Fitness Health related fitness World War I and World War II –Large numbers of draftees failed the induction exams due to mental and physical defects Influence in schools: –Physical programs began to resemble pre- military training programs

In the 1950s Autopsies of young soldiers from Korean War –Showed significant coronary artery disease American children performed poorly on a muscular fitness test compared to Europeans “The Unhealthy American” Physical Fitness

President’s Council on Youth Fitness (1957) AAHPER Youth Fitness Test –The American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Used in physical education programs nationwide Established national norms

In addition to the unfit youth Rising death rate from: –Coronary artery disease –High fat diets –Smoking –Inactivity More deaths than those from contagious diseases Physical Fitness

Corporate Fitness Large corporations developed “executive” fitness programs Physical Fitness

Corporate Fitness Physical Fitness

Jack LaLanne

ACSM Recommendations 30 min/5 week moderately intense cardio OR 20 min/3 week intense cardio AND 8-10 strength training exercises 2X/week

Physical Activity and Health Physical activity has been shown to: –Lower the risk of dying prematurely and from heart disease –Reduce the risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure –Help maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints –Help lower blood pressure in those with high blood pressure –Promote psychological well-being –Help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight

Professional Societies American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Fitness and the Consumer Health spas Diets Literature –Magazines –Books Diet Exercise DVD’s

Translation of Exercise Physiology to the Consumer Careers for Undergraduate Exercise Science Majors To meet the demand for correct information Numerous career opportunities –Personal training, strength and conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation, athletic training, therapy, and medicine Requirements: –Coursework –Practicum or internship –Certification exam –Graduate study for some careers

In Summary  To meet the needs of the consumer for correct information and programs about physical activity and health, university and college exercise science departments have developed new areas of study in exercise physiology and fitness.  Organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association have developed certification programs to establish a standard of knowledge and skill to be achieved by those who lead health-related exercise programs.