Learning about human physiology
 

Hello,

I'm trying to get into the field of exercise science (as a hobby, I'm a grad student in the physical sciences).

Primarily, I'd like to know if anyone is aware of a primer on exercise physiology:

things related to VO2max, heart rate, heart rate drift, power output......etc,etc.

I don't know enough to google effectively. I've seen books like Friel's and such, but they focus more on setting a specific plan for cycling, and less on general information. Thanks in advance

Check out some kinesiology periodicals.

diving into the literature of a field without background is a nightmare. Are these "dumbed down" so that I could read them?

Start by reading all of these pages
http://home.hia.no/~stephens/exphys.htm

then study this book; 1000+ pages of gold.
http://www.humankinetics.com/product...sbn=0873229592

^^^^^ thank you ^^^^^^^^

I would start with something that offers a novice view of things on a cellular level. What happens at the smallest level converting energy into movement can shed a lot of light on the more complex aspects. I can't think of any good books though, I've just picked up a lot from various sources.

Do they offer a class like "Introduction to Sports Science" at your school? That would be a great course to take to give you a background in those types of things. Also, since you are in school, stop by and talk to some of the folks in athletic training, kinesiology, and strength and conditioning. They should be able to give you a quick primer on a lot of that stuff.

D

I have not seen a good introductory synthesis. The thing you might want to do is just dive in and read articles. If the articles mention something you really do not understand like say glycolysis well then go online google it and read an article or two. You do not need to have an intimate understanding of glycolysis say. You just need to know what it does. It may be a bit hard at first but after some time, you should do OK.

chemistry, then biological chemistry, then physiology, then cardiac/renal/respiratory/electrolyte/musculoskeletal physiology, then cellular electrophysiology, then neuroscience, then ride lots.

i've got chemistry pretty well covered. I guess I should read a bio-chem 101 book, find some physiology texts and at this point I can't see where neuroscience is going to help, but I guess that's why I need to read

The best book i have read this year/ maybe ever-
http://www.johnratey.com/site/images/spark.jpghttp://www.johnratey.com/site/images/title_spark.gifSPARK is a groundbreaking exploration of the connection between exercise and the brain’s performance that shows how even moderate exercise will supercharge mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen thinking, enhance memory, and much more.

SPARK will change forever the way you think about your morning run---or, for that matter, simply the way you think.

^^ any recommendation that ends "and much more" set off a bit of an alarm in my head. Care to elaborate? Is there any actual mechanics of physiology in this book? It sounds like garbage.

You left out organic chemistry....pretty important to understand bio chem.

Go to a college book store and look for text books on Exercise Physiology, add in a book or two on Nutrition.

Text books always do a better job of offering an methodical introduction to interrelated subject matter. Popular works are easy to misconstrue and take out of context.

Bay Area, near San Francisco?

University Extension classes, check out their catalog, or even S.F. State extension classes on exercise physiology.

Well,i don't know much about mechanics of physiology, but he,Dr. John J. Ratey. Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School with about 40 years under his belt has probably seen most of it,course, maybe you don't need to know that much?Alot of people i meet know just about everything already!

psychiatry? is that sort of how Dr. Phil gets to put the "Dr" in front of his name?

I'm not saying the author is stupid, but I want PHYSIOLOGY, not how to make your mind make your body better.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors, not to be confused with psychologists. Read the lore of running (don’t be afraid of running in the title it is more about Ex phys), Noakes covers the Central Governor model and you will understand how the brain regulates exercise.

:thumb: This is a great book by an ultra runner who is also an MD. Although it is mostly about running it has a lot of new and interesting information that is useful for bicyclists.

Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance by William McArdle

So, what course of action have you decided upon?

Inquiring minds want to know :geek: