Physiological limits to performance

Authors: Harris EA
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 23, Issue 11, pp 255-259, Nov 1975
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: General
Subject Terms: Biochemistry/chemistry, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Locomotor, Physiology
Article class: Review Article

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Abstract: Man has proved an admirable experimental animal for studies in the physiology of exercise, and much that is known has come from human experimentation. This is my excuse for addressing a veterinary conference; and my hope is that veterinarians may discern a few parallels with their work among the other animals. The question “What are the physiological limits to performance?” leads immediately to another: “What kind of performance?” Is it weight-lifting, javelin throwing, high-jumping or running? If the latter, is it the 100 metres, 1500 metres, 5000 metres or the marathon? Or is it long-distance ski-ing? Or perhaps we are thinking of work in the logging camps or coal-mines. In physiological terms, these examples introduce differences in the size of muscle-groups used, the rhythmicity of the exercise, its intensity, its duration, and the frequency of rest-pauses. At the outset it must be recognized that the limiting factors vary a great deal according to the nature of the exercise. In general, however, the factors contributing to physical performance may be classified as follows…

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