Clinical Biochemistry of Exercise

According to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), apart from the many organic benefits, the main functions of movement concern the preservation and development of the organism as a whole, increasing information for the brain, and the expressive potential of the individual (in the form of language, culture, motor intelligence, and motor expressiveness). In a nutshell, movement involves growth, and acquisition of new information, which leads to increased knowledge of ourselves, the space around us, and the relationship between the body, space, and others. In other words, moving also means evolving. Clinical biochemistry of exercise refers to the study of the effects of exercise on various biochemical processes in the human body. Exercise has a profound effect on metabolism, hormones, enzymes, and other biochemical parameters. Understanding these changes is critical for athletes, health professionals, and researchers to optimize training schedules, monitor health status, treat various diseases, and investigate the use of unfair methods. In summary, the clinical biochemistry of sport encompasses a broad spectrum of biochemical changes that occur in response to physical activity and that will be summarized in this chapter.