Biochemistryofsport

Biochemistry of
sport
Professor Dr. Najat A. Hasan
(MB ChB, MSc, PhD in Clinical
Biochemistry, College of
Medicine -Alnahrain University,
Baghdad. Iraq)

Learning Objectives:
•To develop an awareness of the basic chemical process
that the body uses to produce energy in the muscles
•To develop an understanding of the body’s three main
energy systems
•To introduce the effect of training and exercise on the
energy systems

-SPORT is a Physical activity where skeletal muscles
contraction result in an increase in energy expenditure.
•Overload
–occurs when a system is exercised at a level beyond
which it is normally accustomed
•Specificity
–Training is specific to the muscle fibers involved
–Type of exercise
•Reversibility
–Gains are lost when overload is removed
Principles of Training or Sports

Different Methods of sports training
•There are many types of sports training methods practiced
through-out the world. Three of the main types:
–Weight Training: Increases strength . focus on totally
different parts of the body: Chest, shoulders, back, arms,
legs and even neck .
–Speed Training: Speed training is influenced by :
- Strength
-Endurance
-Technique
–Flexibility training: All pro athletes start and finish
training sessions by doing flexibility exercises.
–Not only helps out in performance, but it also helps lower
back pain.
- Stretching increases tissue temperature, blood supply, nutrient
transport to tissue and synovial fluid.

Energy systems
1. the high energy phosphate system (ATP-CP System)
2. the anaerobic glycolytic system (Lactic Acid System)
3. the aerobic oxidative system (Oxygen System)
The energy sources of physical activity is dependent on:
1. Intensity of the physical activity
2. The duration of physical activity
3. Personal characteristics
The combination of characteristics of physical activity (intensity ,
duration) ,genetic features, fitness will determine the ratio
between various energy production pathways utilized by the
muscles