Exercise Physiology

Exercise Physiologist is a health care professional that has completed a degree in exercise physiology, and has been certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. As their occupation, exercise physiologist analyses the improvement and the maintenance of health and fitness. They also oversee the rehabilitation of heart disease and other chronic diseases, and the professionally guide athletes and others in sports training.  The exercise physiologist helps athletes to improve their performance level by guiding them in a specific way fit for the individual sport. Through testing, he/she is able to find the VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen a person can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight.  The level of lactic acid is determined by taking a sample of the athlete’s blood which shows how much the athlete has pushed his/her body beyond its natural limit, which is called the anaerobic threshold. When an athlete pushes his/her body to maintain and produce energy in a level of exercise that exceed the aerobic capacity, can only be met through anaerobically.

Energy comes in many different pathways, including adenosine triphosphate, CP and glycolysis. Depending on what area the athlete needs attention in, the exercise physiologist can help train the athletes specifically. If an athlete needs attention in short term energy release, the exercise physiologist would focus on exercises that would improve the breaking down and replenishment of ATP and CP, and if an athlete needs to improve on long term exercises, glycolysis would be focused more extensively than other areas.

Depending on what condition the athlete is in, the exercise physiologist can also recommend the athlete to consume a certain percentage of his/her diet in carbohydrates, fats, or proteins. Ideally, 55% of carbohydrates, 30% fats, and 15% proteins should be included in his/her diet.