Why Study Physiology of Exercise

	Is all this scientific preparation really necessary to coach or teach softball ???

	This discussion will explain the importance of understanding this topic.

	Reason #1.	History suggests that we originally wanted to improve our Physical Fitness

		Why??  So that we can meet the demands of our workaday worlds.

		This idea fueled the development of scientific equipment
		With suitable research equipment, the principles of Exercise Physiology were written
		These principles lead to a conclusion that Physical Fitness is conductive to good health

	Reason #2	The desire to improve Athletic Performance

		The WHY of this is obvious.
		How ??  By using both Art and Science
		Art is the psychological and sociological principles to design motivational workouts 
		These workouts are not very useful if do not follow sound principles
		Principles come from Exercise Physiology

	So, whether one is looking at the Health or the Athletic end of Physical Education, the study of Exercise Physiology is a fundamental building block.

Reason #3	Professionalism

	Many people work in the exercise / activity area
	Lay Persons only know what to do, while Professionals know both the what and the why
	To become a professional, you must "Profess a Commitment" to the field
	In so doing, we may
		1) predict better the results of our efforts
		2) control the conditioning and training processes, thus better protecting health
		3) grow more efficient in our work
			4) satisfy our intellectual curiosity


Beginning the Study of Exercise Physiology

	Exercise is not all the same
		Varying Intensities
		Varying Duration's
	Responses to exercise varies between participants
		Males, Females, Diseased, Elderly, People on Drugs, Pregnant, etc.
	What is clear is that Everyone stands to benefit from exercise
		In order to benefit, need to follow substantiated principles, not weight-room myths

How do we develop Scientific Principles

	1.	Have and Idea, Hunch, Guess
			If I run a mile, I might be able to do it in less than 6 minutes
	2.	From your Idea, develop a Hypothesis and Test your Idea
			I will hypothesize that I can run a mile in less than 6 minutes (then run).
3.	By accepting or rejecting several Hypotheses, one may develop a Theory
I will Theorize that on days when I am well rested, I can run a mile in less than 6 minutes
4.	A Principle can be established when the supporting Theories are supported by Research
	A principle is a Guideline or Rule, NOT Carved in Stone

	** Example:	In this class we will study how a muscle contracts.
			Who here can tell me how a muscle contracts?
			Currently, most people know the Sliding Filament THEORY
			Questionable or Incomplete, so may not be the right theory

References:

van Ingen Schenau, G.J. (1984). An alternative view to the concept of utilization of elastic stored energy in human movement.  Human Movement Science, 3, 301-303.

Homsher, E., Irving, M, and Wallner, A (1981).  Journal of Physiology, 321, 423- 436.

	Curtin, N.A. and Woledge, R.C. (1979).  Journal of Physiology, 297, 539-550.


Overview of Text:	Students can read !

	Basic Physiology
	Physiology Applied to Health and Fitness
	Physiology of Training and Conditioning Athletes