AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The educational objective of the course is to deepen the knowledge regarding the biochemistry of the muscle and the energetic mechanisms that underlie physical activity in order to analyze sports performance.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course covers all metabolic activities typical of skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue and their involvement in the production of the energy required for muscle contraction, highlighting the metabolic differences among muscle fibers and the relationships between energy metabolism and the level of motor activity performed. Additionally, it explores nutritional biochemistry concepts related to nutrients, their absorption and transport, micronutrients, and vitamins.

The analysis of athletic movements requires an in-depth understanding of muscle biochemistry and the energy mechanisms underlying its activity (energy sources, anaerobic glycolysis, aerobic metabolism, oxygen debt and lactic acid, the relationship between sport and metabolism), with the aim of gaining a deeper insight into performance and related issues.

After a brief review of the metabolic pathways involved in energy transduction in both voluntary and involuntary muscles, emphasis will be placed on the different muscle fibers and their biochemical metabolism. The course will also identify the energy metabolisms active during very intense muscular exercise and during prolonged muscular activities.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be taught with lectures and discussions with students to test the correlation between metabolic activities and an individual's daily activities. These discussions will also focus on the correlations between metabolic pathways and motor activities during intense muscle exercise. In addition, group work will be conducted in the classroom in preparation for the written exam.

In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, please contact both the Department contact person, Prof. Nicola Girtler, and the lecturer at the beginning of the lectures to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance of the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory/dispensatory tools recognized by the University SLD Student Service.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program is divided into two main parts:

1. MUSCLE BIOCHEMISTRY

• Different types of muscle fibers and their metabolism

• Energy sources during anaerobic and aerobic muscle contraction

• Lactic acid metabolism

• Creatine phosphate: metabolism and supplementation

• Characteristic metabolic pathways of skeletal and cardiac muscle and their regulation

• Branched-chain amino acids and their metabolism

1. NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY

• Main macro- and micronutrients, their absorption and metabolism

• Dietary reference intake, energy requirements, and acceptable macronutrient distribution range

• Lipoproteins and their metabolism

• Glycemic index and glycemic load

• Vitamins

• Iron metabolism

• Microbiome

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

No specific texts are available; teaching materials are provided by Professor in class and on AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

EMANUELA LUISA FAELLI (President)

MARCO PANASCI' (President)

LAURA STURLA (President)

MARCO BOVE (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester, October and November

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Discussion with students during lectures and work in teams.