What is Exercise Physiology?

Exercise physiology is an integral element of the support services offered to athletes. This component of performance science is essentially concerned with the assessment of how the body responds to single or repeated bouts of exercise. The term sport physiology represents this application in a sport setting. Physiological assessments include profiling of hydration status, blood biochemistry and haematology, body composition, graded exercise performance, muscular strength and power and flexibility. These evaluations are conducted using sports specific ergometers and specialised equipment. Dedicated computer based software programmes are also used to facilitate analysis of data. A range of sport-specific field and laboratory protocols have been developed and employed using the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) exercise testing guidelines.

Physiological profiling can be used to;

• Determine fitness in a controlled environment
• Identify strengths, weaknesses and/or positional differences
• Pinpoint correct training intensities
• Assist the coach in prescribing individual training programmes
• Monitor fitness changes
• Investigate time course of adaptations
• Provide indication of health status
• Help maximise the sports potential of each athlete
• Investigate new forms of training and ergogenic aids

A needs-analysis is conducted during the initial consultation phase of the induction process and this often requires the athlete to complete a performance profile. Once the assessment objectives are agreed, the aims and protocols for each test are clarified. The physiological profiling is then scheduled to review critical phases of the training and competition programme. This enables training progress and performance to be evaluated and programmes to be refined where necessary. An annual training and competition plan is therefore essential to facilitate this planning process. Athletes inducted into the Major Games and Support programmes are provided with regular detailed physiological profiling and monitoring, whereas athletes allied to the Foundation programme, have access to profiling and monitoring at a level relevant to their training status. A summary of the physiological profiling conducted with distinct sports in SINI can be found by clicking here