WaterRower China Co. LTD. WR704 User Manual
Exercise Physiology
The principal fuels the body uses to produce energy over prolonged
periods are derived from the body’s stores of fat, carbohydrates or
protein. The body converts these fuels into energy by one of two
processes, the Aerobic metabolic process and the Anaerobic metabolic
process.
periods are derived from the body’s stores of fat, carbohydrates or
protein. The body converts these fuels into energy by one of two
processes, the Aerobic metabolic process and the Anaerobic metabolic
process.
Aerobic- the aerobic metabolic process produces energy by consuming
fuel stores in the presence of oxygen (supplied by the flow of blood)
producing bi-products, carbon dioxide and water (which are expelled by
respiration and perspiration).
fuel stores in the presence of oxygen (supplied by the flow of blood)
producing bi-products, carbon dioxide and water (which are expelled by
respiration and perspiration).
As exercise intensity is increased, more energy is required to perform the
work and more oxygen is consumed. Hence, an increase in breathing
work and more oxygen is consumed. Hence, an increase in breathing
and heart rate.
Similarly, as exercise intensity increases, the body recruits different fuel
stores as the main source of fuel.
stores as the main source of fuel.
Anaerobic- the anaerobic metabolic process occurs when there is
insufficient oxygen in the blood supply to produce energy by the aerobic
metabolic process alone. The anaerobic process consumes carbohydrate
as its primary source of fuel and does so in the absence of oxygen to
produce a product called lactic acid.
insufficient oxygen in the blood supply to produce energy by the aerobic
metabolic process alone. The anaerobic process consumes carbohydrate
as its primary source of fuel and does so in the absence of oxygen to
produce a product called lactic acid.
It is lactic acid which causes the fatigue and muscle soreness associated
with excessive exercise. At high exercise intensities, lactic acid will
quickly build in the muscles until exercise must cease.
with excessive exercise. At high exercise intensities, lactic acid will
quickly build in the muscles until exercise must cease.
Exercise Intensity*
It is common to measure exercise intensity in terms of a percentage.
This percentage figure may be seen as the range of sustainable exercise
with 0% representing rest and 100% representing maximal sustainable
output. Maximal sustainable output is the level below which exercise
with 0% representing rest and 100% representing maximal sustainable
output. Maximal sustainable output is the level below which exercise
must cease due to lactic acid build up and fatigue.
At low intensities of exercise (60 - 70%), the body will function purely
aerobically and burn fat stores as the primary source of fuel.
At moderate intensities of exercise (70 - 80%), the body will function
purely aerobically and burn a combination of fat stores and carbohydrate
stores as its primary source of fuel.
purely aerobically and burn a combination of fat stores and carbohydrate
stores as its primary source of fuel.
At high intensities of exercise (>80%), the body will function aerobically
and burn carbohydrate stores as its primary source of fuel. At this level,
lactic acid will accumulate in the blood stream faster than the body
and burn carbohydrate stores as its primary source of fuel. At this level,
lactic acid will accumulate in the blood stream faster than the body
is able to expel it (though respiration, sweat, the liver and kidneys).
Eventually the lactic acid levels will increase to a level where exercise
must stop.
Eventually the lactic acid levels will increase to a level where exercise
must stop.
*You may use these various intensity levels to optimize achievement of your specific
exercise objectives.
4