United States
£ GBP
Describes the biochemical processes involved in energy provision for different sports events and the way in which limitations in the energy supply can cause fatigue and thus limit performance.
PREFACE; INTRODUCTION; Setting the scene; THE WEIGHTLIFTER; Muscle structure and function; Proteins - structural and functional characteristics; Muscle proteins as enzymes; Energy needs - role of ATP; The dietary protein requirement and actions of anabolic steroids; Nutritional supplements that are claimed to boost muscle mass and strength gain; THE SPRINTER; Power output; Sustained energy needs; Phosphocreatine and ATP resynthesis; Causes of fatigue; Recovery after exercise; Creatine supplements; THE MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER; Sustained power; Energy supply from anaerobic glycolysis; Role of lactic acid; Oxidative breakdown of carbohydrate; Fatigue; Recovery processes; Glycogen synthesis; Alkalinisers to limit acidosis and boost performance; THE ENDURANCE ATHLETE; Glycogen depletion; Carbohydrate supply from blood glucose; Role of the liver; Fat as a fuel; Fatigue and recovery; The brain and central fatigue; Dietary carbohydrate requirements; Benefits of carbohydrate and fluid intake during prolonged exercise; Caffeine as an ergogenic aid; Effect of diet on substrate availability and factors involved in fatigue; Free radicals and antioxidants; THE GAMES PLAYER; Intermittent activity patterns; Contribution of different energy sources; Limitations to performance; Creatine supplements to improve intermittent exercise performance; SPORTING TALENT; Factors determining success; Genetics; DNA, protein synthesis and inheritance; Examples: muscle fibre types; TRAINING FOR STRENGTH, SPEED AND ENDURANCE; Adaptations to different types of training; Limitations to adaptation; Fatigue and overtraining; Meeting the energy requirements for training; Dietary influences on training adaptations
'The great strength and appeal of this book is that it beautifully brings together, like a seamless garment, the performance, the physiology and the biochemistry of the main different categories of sport, involving respectively strength, power, speed, endurance and multiple sprint game sports...this is a superb book - totally readable, highly relevant interesting view of biochemistry as defined by patterns of sporting activity. Ron Maughan and Mike Gleeson are to be very warmly congratulated - and thanked for filling a major gap'. N.C. Craig Sharp, Professor of Sports Science, Brunel University 2004.
