[400stud]

400stud on August 14, 2003 at 5:42 am #8521

I have some terms that I don't know and would like a definition of before I start reading articles:

Anabolism
Catabolism
Mechanical Advantage

Those three jump into mind, but as I think of more I will post.

I can look these up in a dictionary, but half the time their definitions are even more cloudy, making my understanding even worse. So, I figured I'd ask you guys because you can put it in layman's terms for me to better understand.

Thanks guys.

[400stud]

400stud on August 14, 2003 at 5:43 am #21545

Also:

EMG
Kinematic
Kinetic
Electromyographic
Hypoxic
Normoxic

[QUIKAZHELL]

QUIKAZHELL on August 14, 2003 at 8:59 am #21546

ill take a stab at simplifing a few that i found… in caps are my way of explaining.

Anabolism- a metabolic process in which energy is used to construct complex molecules from simpler ones in the synthesis of needed compounds and tissues.
-BUILDING MUSCLE?

Catalolism-a metabolic process in which energy is released through the conversion of complex molecules into simpler ones.
-BREAKING DOWN MUSCLE OR BLOCKING (catylst)

Kinetic- DEALING WITH MOTION

Hypoxic- NOT GETTIN ENOUGH (OXYGEN)?

[Mike Young]

Mike Young on August 14, 2003 at 1:22 pm #21547

EMG: Electrical activity of the muscle. Be very weary of big conclusions based on EMG because muscular electrical activity is far more complex than meets the eye and can often give misleading results. Many people try to take more information from it than is really available. I like to say it stands for "Extremely Meaningless Garbage" because it is so often misused, misrepresented, and misinterpreted.

Anabolism: as Quik said.

Catabolism: as Quik said.

Mechanical Advantage: Dealing with lever arms, this is a key point for physics and biomechanics. It is a ratio of the resisting to the applied force. If its value is greater than equal, it means that less effort is necessary to carry out a given work or weight lifting. In other words, it describes how much a lever multiplies the force put into it.

Kinematic: Technique. Looking at motion without regard to the forces that cause the motion.

Kinetic: Forces. Looking at the forces which result in motion.

Electromyographic: Same as EMG

Hypoxic: Less than normal oxygen levels.

Normoxic: Normal oxygen levels.

ELITETRACK Founder

[400stud]

400stud on August 14, 2003 at 7:36 pm #21548

Thanks. Cleared things up very much for me. Look out for more words 😀

[400stud]

400stud on August 15, 2003 at 11:16 am #21549

Mitochondrial density
Capillary density
Oxidative capacity
Glycolytic capacity
VO2 Max

The first 4 words I came across in reading about the different fiber types and I am curious as to the meaning of each and the relationship to muscle fiber types (purpose of recording them).

I know mitochondria is used for the production of energy (ATP) and things like that. I learned that in AP Bio. But, why does density matter?

VO2 max is a term I just keep coming across.

Thanks.

[Mike Young]

Mike Young on August 15, 2003 at 11:54 am #21550

I suggest you get an exercise physiology book and learn more about this stuff because you won't be able to get all you can out of research articles without understanding the underlying concepts. This set of words is a little more complex and simple definitions may not really do them justice but I'll try my best.

Mitochondrial density: as you said, mitochondria produce energy and the more densely they're packed, their should be an associated increase in ATP production.

Capillary density: similar to the above concept. The capillaries help transport fluids, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Increased capillarization occurs with any aerobic type exercise, increases the next term and assists recovery.

Oxidative capacity: a more accurate way to say aerobic capacity. More mitochondria equals increased oxidative capacity.

Glycolytic capacity:referring to the intermediate energy system, it describes how well the body breaks down glucose into pyruvate and ATP.

VO2 Max: refers to how efficiently your body uses oxygen.

ELITETRACK Founder

[400stud]

400stud on August 15, 2003 at 7:36 pm #21551

I'm taking a college-level Anatomy and Physiology class right now, but my teacher says she doesn't touch on things like different fibers and such.

I know that her main things include skin, hair, body systems, and some topics on muscle anatomy, but that's about it. We probably won't get into this stuff.

However, I am going to read the book myself in my free time because it really is a good book, so if I get confused and can't necessarily understand something, can I ask you? You know a lot and this is simplistic type material (of course not to me) and I need someone else to help me because she won't.

[Mike Young]

Mike Young on August 16, 2003 at 2:52 am #21552

I don't mind answering at all. I just thought for most of these questions short answers might be insufficient and a deeper reading might be worthwhile.

ELITETRACK Founder

[400stud]

400stud on August 16, 2003 at 4:19 am #21553

Cool, because I brought my book home for the weekend. I know what you mean, though.