Searching For The Limits Of Human Physical Performance

Author : Thomas Rowland
Publisher : Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1527547094
Total Pages : 280 pages
Book Rating : 4.94/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Searching for the Limits of Human Physical Performance written by Thomas Rowland and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2020-02-18 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is it that limits how fast we can run, or how long we can row, cycle, or swim without tiring? What is exercise fatigue? One dares to say that not a single human being has not experienced those unpleasant feelings of physical exhaustion when taxed by some form of exercise. These effects are common and obvious, but, despite many years of research efforts, still unexplained. This book examines, from an historical perspective, the quest to decipher the underlying factors responsible for—and, indeed, simply the definition of—exercise fatigue. This story is told in the context of those researchers who have led this search for understanding. Some have been motivated by a search for an epiphany-like insight that would define the mechanisms by which living beings can be limited in their functional capacity, and some have sought this answer relative to socio-political issues surrounding human limitations in labor. Others have even been driven by a need to understand resistance to physical fatigue in humans engaged in war. Today, most such efforts to explain the nature and determinants of exercise fatigue involve optimizing performance in athletes and enhancing both the preventive and therapeutic health outcomes of exercise. The picture provided here is that of a multi-factorial nature of exercise fatigue, the determinants of which may be specific to the type, nature, and duration of the exercise involved. A more contemporary viewpoint, however, would suggest that the interaction between physiological factors may best define one’s ceiling of exercise performance. The implication of such a viewpoint would hold that factors defining exercise fatigue may be even more complicated than previously appreciated, meaning that this is a fascinating mystery waiting to be unraveled.

Author : Thomas Rowland
Publisher : Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1527559246
Total Pages : 298 pages
Book Rating : 4.40/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Principles of Human Locomotion written by Thomas Rowland and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2020-09-10 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book addresses how the general principles of biology influence the human capacity for locomotion, and, conversely, how understanding the nature of muscular activity might provide insights into the basic nature of living beings. Through a series of essays, the book relates the evolutionary basis of animal locomotion to recognizing the determinants of exercise capacity. While raising more questions than providing answers, the discussions will assume that without knowing the correct questions to ask, the answers will not be forthcoming. At the root of this book lies the central query: what is it that separates the principles governing the function of living beings from those that dictate the inanimate world? The discussions here address this issue from the expectation that clues to the answer can be obtained through understanding adaptations to the stresses imposed by physical exercise. As such, the book provides thought-provoking analyses of the biological basis of locomotion that will stimulate future efforts to understand these phenomena.

Author : Thomas Rowland
Publisher : Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1527545776
Total Pages : 233 pages
Book Rating : 4.79/5 ( download)

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Download or read book The Biology of Human Behavior written by Thomas Rowland and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2020-01-17 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why do human beings behave the way they do? What governs how they act out their daily lives? It is not difficult to provide the traditional argument that it’s largely a matter of the culture in which we live, a product of the influences of family, peers, teachers, religious leaders, the movies we see, the books we read, and so forth. Such behavior often contradicts the independent nature of the human spirit, demanding a certain compromise—we depend on others for our needs, and to obtain these, we must behave accordingly. Evidence grows, however, that, in addition, much of our behavior has its roots in biological processes. Such information indicates that, whether we like to accept it or not, our conduct is often governed by biochemical agents within in the brain, an expression of our animalistic ancestral past, governed by our genetic inheritance, and all beyond the level of our conscious decision-making. This book addresses a series of such behaviors—love, jealousy, travel, suicide, etc.—and examines new-found perspectives that speak to a biological component in explaining just why we behave as we do. Certainly, such scientific insights are limited and currently provide only a narrow insight into human behavior. However, this information clearly forecasts the coming of a greater appreciation that, as members of the animal kingdom, we remain biological beings as well as members of a cooperative society.

Author : Thomas Rowland
Publisher : Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN 13 : 9781527545540
Total Pages : 280 pages
Book Rating : 4.47/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Searching for the Limits of Human Physical Performance written by Thomas Rowland and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2020-04 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is it that limits how fast we can run, or how long we can row, cycle, or swim without tiring? What is exercise fatigue? One dares to say that not a single human being has not experienced those unpleasant feelings of physical exhaustion when taxed by some form of exercise. These effects are common and obvious, but, despite many years of research efforts, still unexplained. This book examines, from an historical perspective, the quest to decipher the underlying factors responsible forâ "and, indeed, simply the definition ofâ "exercise fatigue. This story is told in the context of those researchers who have led this search for understanding. Some have been motivated by a search for an epiphany-like insight that would define the mechanisms by which living beings can be limited in their functional capacity, and some have sought this answer relative to socio-political issues surrounding human limitations in labor. Others have even been driven by a need to understand resistance to physical fatigue in humans engaged in war. Today, most such efforts to explain the nature and determinants of exercise fatigue involve optimizing performance in athletes and enhancing both the preventive and therapeutic health outcomes of exercise. The picture provided here is that of a multi-factorial nature of exercise fatigue, the determinants of which may be specific to the type, nature, and duration of the exercise involved. A more contemporary viewpoint, however, would suggest that the interaction between physiological factors may best define oneâ (TM)s ceiling of exercise performance. The implication of such a viewpoint would hold that factors defining exercise fatigue may be even more complicated than previously appreciated, meaning that this is a fascinating mystery waiting to be unraveled.

Author : Marcus Ranney
Publisher : World Scientific
ISBN 13 : 9811210136
Total Pages : 229 pages
Book Rating : 4.36/5 ( download)

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Download or read book At The Human Edge: The Limits Of Human Physiology And Performance written by Marcus Ranney and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2020-11-19 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book is a non fiction-based piece of popular science which unravels the amazing adaptive physiological responses that our bodies undergo as we push it to the limits in extreme sports and natural environments. Each chapter captures the history, geography and physical challenges which our bodies face when we as a species have tried to conquer the great outdoors. From Mt Everest to the South Pole, from a journey to Mars to the bottom of the Mariana trench, the book makes the subject accessible to readers, with a basic knowledge of science, and also tries to bring in the author's own personal experiences and those of many legends from this sphere.For the reader (someone interested in science, particularly the life sciences or those who enjoy the outdoors and partake in extreme sports and outdoor activities), this is aimed to make physiology accessible and relatable, not as a piece of academic text.The reader will come away with a stronger understanding of human physiology (particularly at the extreme), how the body first deteriorates, then adapts and finally excels when faced with running a marathon, summiting Everest or going to Mars. Its cross functional nature, being a piece of non-fiction / popular science with personal anecdotes and history mixed in, will make for an interesting and memorable reading.

Author : Luc J. C. van Loon
Publisher : Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers
ISBN 13 : 3318024082
Total Pages : 146 pages
Book Rating : 4.81/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Limits of Human Endurance written by Luc J. C. van Loon and published by Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. This book was released on 2013 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to improve exercise performance capacity through adequate nutrition Nutrition is one of the key factors that modulate exercise performance. In this book, a group of expert scientists discuss the ergogenic properties of various nutritional interventions and present research to show that dietary strategies can be applied to extend the limits of human endurance, lower the risk of illness or injury, and speed recovery rates. More specifically, they discuss recent findings on topics such as caffeine and its effect on the brain, carnitine and fat oxidation, ergogenic properties of beta- alanine, dietary protein and muscle reconditioning, nutrition and immune status, and the importance of proper hydration. This publication will provide the reader with many novel insights into the complex interaction between nutrition and exercise, allowing them to define more effective dietary strategies to improve health and performance. Moreover, while focusing on elite athletes, it is interesting to note that some of the discoveries can be applied beyond this niche, for example to improve performance outcomes in the elderly.

Author : Alex Hutchinson
Publisher : HarperCollins
ISBN 13 : 0062499971
Total Pages : 376 pages
Book Rating : 4.74/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Endure written by Alex Hutchinson and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2018-02-06 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Foreword by Malcolm Gladwell Limits are an illusion: discover the revolutionary account of the science and psychology of endurance, revealing the secrets of reaching the hidden extra potential within us all. "A voyage to the outer reaches of human capacity.” —David Epstein, author of Range "Reveals how we can all surpass our perceived physical limits." —Adam Grant The capacity to endure is the key trait that underlies great performance in virtually every field. But what if we all can go farther, push harder, and achieve more than we think we’re capable of? Blending cutting-edge science and gripping storytelling in the spirit of Malcolm Gladwell—who contributes the book’s foreword—award-winning journalist Alex Hutchinson reveals that a wave of paradigm-altering research over the past decade suggests the seemingly physical barriers you encounter as set as much by your brain as by your body. This means the mind is the new frontier of endurance—and that the horizons of performance are much more elastic than we once thought. But, of course, it’s not “all in your head.” For each of the physical limits that Hutchinson explores—pain, muscle, oxygen, heat, thirst, fuel—he carefully disentangles the delicate interplay of mind and body by telling the riveting stories of men and women who’ve pushed their own limits in extraordinary ways. The longtime “Sweat Science” columnist for Outside and Runner’s World, Hutchinson, a former national-team long-distance runner and Cambridge-trained physicist, was one of only two reporters granted access to Nike’s top-secret training project to break the two-hour marathon barrier, an extreme quest he traces throughout the book. But the lessons he draws from shadowing elite athletes and from traveling to high-tech labs around the world are surprisingly universal. Endurance, Hutchinson writes, is “the struggle to continue against a mounting desire to stop”—and we’re always capable of pushing a little farther.

Author : John Brenkus
Publisher : Harper Collins
ISBN 13 : 0062008846
Total Pages : 242 pages
Book Rating : 4.48/5 ( download)

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Download or read book The Perfection Point written by John Brenkus and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2010-08-31 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What's the fastest a human can run the 100-meter sprint? What's the longest a human can hold his breath? What are the limits of human performance? Welcome to The Perfection Point. Until 1954, common wisdom and scientific knowledge considered a sub-four-minute mile an impossible feat for a human. But then Roger Bannister broke that mark, followed quickly by a host of other athletes. Today the world record stands at 3 minutes, 43 seconds, yet even that number doesn't tell the full story of how fast humans can run a mile—records are a mark of how well people have done, not how well they can do. What's the actual limit? The answer lies in The Perfection Point. In this fascinating and thought-provoking book, John Brenkus, the host, co-creator, and executive producer of ESPN's Sport Science, ventures across the sports world to provide an in-depth look at the absolute limits of human performance. Beginning with the current world records for a variety of sports, Brenkus finds the “perfection point” for each, zeroing in on the speeds, heights, distances, and times that humans will get closer to but never exceed. Combining cutting-edge science with the fundamentals of each sport, Brenkus answers questions as old as competition itself, exploring the outer realm of what's possible in athletics. Using engrossing and accessible language, he applies statistics, physics, and physiology to uncover perfection points such as: the highest dunk the longest home run the fastest mile the longest golf drive the heaviest bench press Intriguing, detailed, and controversial, the answers that Brenkus provides are essential reading for every sports fan. For years, coaches, pundits, and experts have speculated about the extremes of human ability. The Perfection Point finally provides the answers.

Author : David Epstein
Publisher : Penguin
ISBN 13 : 161723012X
Total Pages : 370 pages
Book Rating : 4.27/5 ( download)

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Download or read book The Sports Gene written by David Epstein and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2014-04-29 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The New York Times bestseller – with a new afterword about early specialization in youth sports – from the author of Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. The debate is as old as physical competition. Are stars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams genetic freaks put on Earth to dominate their respective sports? Or are they simply normal people who overcame their biological limits through sheer force of will and obsessive training? In this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success and the so-called 10,000-hour rule, David Epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving it. Through on-the-ground reporting from below the equator and above the Arctic Circle, revealing conversations with leading scientists and Olympic champions, and interviews with athletes who have rare genetic mutations or physical traits, Epstein forces us to rethink the very nature of athleticism.

Author : Ed Caesar
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
ISBN 13 : 1451685866
Total Pages : 194 pages
Book Rating : 4.62/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Two Hours written by Ed Caesar and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2015-10-27 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Essential reading for every runner.” —Men’s Fitness “Compelling…As becomes clear not long after its starting gun, this book transcends the search for a two-hour marathon.” —The Washington Post Two hours to cover twenty-six miles and 385 yards. It is running’s Everest, a feat once seen as impossible for the human body. But now we can glimpse the mountaintop. The sub-two hour marathon will require an exceptional combination of speed, mental strength, and endurance. The pioneer will have to endure more, live braver, plan better, and be luckier than anyone who has run before. So who will it be? In this spellbinding book, journalist Ed Caesar takes us into the world of elite marathoners: some of the greatest runners on earth. Through the stories of these rich characters, like Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai, around whom the narrative is built, Caesar traces the history of the marathon as well as the science, physiology, and psychology involved in running so fast for so long. And he shows us why this most democratic of races retains its brutal, enthralling appeal—and why we are drawn to test ourselves to the limit. Two Hours is a book about a beautiful sport few people understand. It takes us from big-money races in the United States and Europe to remote villages in Kenya. It’s about talent, heroism, and refusing to accept defeat. It is a book about running that is about much more than running. It is a human drama like no other.