Exercise Biochemistry

Recommended Prerequisites

Good Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology and physiology. Basic english is also recommended.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical course: in view of the students need for a solid and systematic information, oral exposition with graphic and audiovisual aids is used. In order to integrate the theoretical knowledge with practical training problems, the active participation of the students is stimulated through the presentation of practical cases. Practical classes with the development of experimental protocols that promote the integration of theory and practice. Student participation is also stimulated through the choice and oral presentation of a scientific paper.

Learning Outcomes

Exercise biochemistry studies the human metabolism during exercise and it’s adaptation to exercise. It studies the subcellular and molecular mechanisms that explain how the body reacts and adapts to exercise, the metabolic adaptation to training like changes in enzymatic activity or the capacity to use different energy sources. At the end of this unit the student should be able to know what characterizes the different biomolecules; how to correlate structure with function in the different biomolecules; to know which factors affect the biochemical reactions; to understand the lipidic and carbohydrate methabolisms; to understand which methabolic energy pathways are involved in the different types of exercise; to understand the importance of genetic and of some nutrients in athletic performance; to know the main metabolic adaptations to training; to understand the training limitations and the possible negative effects of excessive training loads.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

What are biomolecules: structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Enzyme kinetics. Bioenergetics: free energy concept, high energy phosphates, energy transfer in the living organisms, respiratory chain. Carbohydrate metabolism: glycolysis, citric acid cycle. Gluconeogenesis. Glycogenesis. Glycogenolysis. Carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Lactate metabolism during exercise. Lipid metabolism: beta-oxidation of fatty acids, triacylglicerols synthesis, lypolysis. Mechanisms involved in muscle fatigue. Nutritional strategies for fatigue control.

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Maria Miranda Botelho Teixeira

Assessment Methods

Continuous
Students ability to perform the experimental protocols, participation in the class discussions and the oral presentation of a scientific paper: 30.0%
2 mid-term exams or final exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

The Biochemical Basis of Sport Performance. Ron Maughan & Michael Gleeson. Oxford University Press, 2^nd Edition, 2010.

Lehninger- Principles of Biochemistry. David L. Nelso, Michael M. Cox, 5th Edition, W.H. Freeman and

Company, New York, 2008.

Principles of Biochemistry. Geoffrey L. Zubay, William W. Parson & Dennis E. Vance, Wm C. Brown Company Publishers, 1995.

Entender a Bioquímica. Luís S. Campos, 5ª Edição, Escolar Editora, 2009.

Bioquímica, organização molecular da vida. Alexandre Quintas, Ana Ponces Freire, Manuel J. Halpern, LIDEL, 2008.

Biochemistry Primer for Exercise Science. Michael E. Houston, 2nd Edition, Human Kinetics, 2001.

Bioquímica. Maria José Laires, Edições FMH, Universidade técnica de Lisboa, 1997.