Below is a video of me walking through a force velocity profile excel spreadsheet.

 

The spreadsheet featured in the video is FREE BELOW

FVP builder

Utilizing Heart Rate Variability

The human body is extremely complex! Hopefully this comes as no surprise. Don’t get me wrong, we actually know quite a bit about it. However, there is still much to learn.

Example: Analysis of the Autonomic Nervous System

We know the brain is the master orchestrator, and from a top down approach, we can see that it has control of the autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is broken into two parts, the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The relationship between the parasympathetic and sympathetic gets quite complex, so I will stop there.

Analyzing the ANS

In short, people typically analyze the ANS using heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is a wonderful metric, but it’s merely a red flag marker, not a diagnostic tool.

Continue reading “Measuring the Autonomic Nervous System: HRV”

Exercise is a form of controlled metabolic stress.

Like all controlled stressors, it is applied in a fashion that is stressful enough to sound the alarm but not too stressful to break yourself. However, in elite athletics, this process becomes much more of a balancing act than one may expect.

In life, there are many forms of controlled and uncontrolled metabolic stressors influencing the body. These stressors can come in the form of psycho-social stressors, dietary stressors, lack of sleep, internal perceptions, injuries, and illnesses.

Now, these uncontrolled metabolic stressors may not be noticeable as we go through our daily lives, but once they begin accumulate, they can manifest in many different forms. This is the whole idea of the human body acting as a dynamic system.

Continue reading “Triggering the Right Immune Response”

The adaptability of our body is amazing, but we are able to push it a little too far at times.

ROS might just be the single universal cell signaler. From the micro level, it is a simple system designed to help keep the cell’s mitochondria alive through uncoupling protein activation. It kind of acts like an escape valve used to let off pressure when drilling. The reduced pressure may hinder the drills efficiency, but ultimately keep it from blowing up. The is the same idea but at the cellular level.

ROS is also a natural stimulator of our redox system, which is responsible for removing ROS when it is naturally produced. Thus, improvements in our redox actually increase our oxidative burden capacity (handle more stress).

Continue reading “Exercise and ROS”

Handling Oxidative Stress

When we exercise, reactive oxygen species build up in our muscles, heart and other tissues. This would be considered self-induced oxidative stress.

As we train to improve, we develop more efficient mitochondria which end up producing more ROS. Thankfully our redox system develops in conjunction, making a harmonious development of both. In turn, our oxidative burden grows and we can handle higher and higher demands.

Continue reading “Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondrial Overload and Adaption”

More Than Just A “Power House”

Mitochondria produce most of the cellular energy, control cellular calcium levels, produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulate cellular redox states, initiate cell death and are overall influencers of health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mitochondrial function can be impaired by ROS accumulation. ROS is a natural byproduct of cellular processes, but the uncontrolled regulation of it can literally kill us. ROS can decouple mitochondrial membranes leading to inefficient mitochondrial function. It reduces its electro-chemical gradient which is responsible for driving the ATP synthase- ATP process. Thus, more calories will have to be burned per unit of ATP production (lost as heat).

Continue reading “Mitochondria”

*Inspired by “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” by Robert M. Sapolsky

Human Response

Stress is part of everyone’s life. Regardless the type of stress, our body typically handles it in the same way, with the “fight or flight response”.

However, thanks to our brains, we have out innovated the traditional needs for a “fight flight” response seen in nature. And by “out innovated” I mean we get stressed out about work and social life drama while animals get stressed out predators eating them.

Essentially, we have out adapted this response (we aren’t getting chased by animals) and instead use it for other non-related stressors, typically those in the form of perceived psychological stress. Continue reading “Stress”

Playing a Critical Role in Optimizing the SSC

When the foot is in the air (right before ground contact), the lower limb contracts and tenses allowing for a more rigid limb upon foot contact. This translates to less vertical displacement while the foot is on the ground and a stiffer “spring” as shown above.

What happens is if the lower leg is not stiff enough? There will be too large of a drop in the center of mass (COM) during contact. The drop in center of mass means a longer ground contact time and more stored energy will dissipate.

A stiffer leg with less ground contact time will theoretically allow for a stiffer spring, a quicker movement, and more stored elastic energy. Continue reading “Vertical Stiffness”