Exercise Biochemistry

Year
2
Academic year
2022-2023
Code
01017061
Subject Area
Physical Activity Sciences
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
4.0
Type
Compulsory
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Good Basic knowldge 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 knownledge with pratical training problems, the active participation of the students is stimulated through the presentation of pratical cases. Pratical 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 understant 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.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

What are biomolecules: structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Enzyme kinetics. Bioenergetics: free energy conceppt, high energy phosphates, energy transferi n 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

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Frequency: 70.0%

Bibliography

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

Functional Biochemistry in Health and Disease. Eric Newsholme and Tony Leech. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.

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.