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EXSC 201: Advanced Nutrition & Metabolic Adaptation
Professor: Dr. Wayne C. Miller
Office: Building K, Room 106
Office hrs: Monday 10:30 - noon, Tuesday 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Wednesday 4 - 6 p.m.
Phone: 994-2952 e-mail: wmiller@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu
Text: Miller, W.C. The Biochemistry of Exercise and Metabolic Adaptation. Dubuque,
IA: Brown & Benchmark, 1992.
Course
Description: A study of the biochemical adaptations that occur during acute exercise or as a
result of prolonged exercise training, and how nutrient availability affects exercise
performance. Emphasis is placed on muscle physiology and the biochemical
regulators of intermediary metabolism.
Topical
Outline: 1. The cell and cell organelles
2. Skeletal muscle physiology, fiber types, and ultrastructure
3. Digestion and absorption of fat, protein, and carbohydrate
4. Intermediary metabolism
5. Enzymatic control of energy production
6. Biochemical adaptations to acute and chronic exercise
7. Synthesis of intermediary metabolites
8. Substrate availability and exercise performance
9. Nutrients as ergogenic aids
Course
Objectives: 1. To understand muscle physiology and how the ultrastructure of the muscle
fiber relates to metabolic function
2. To understand how nutrients are absorbed and metabolized
3. To be able to identify key metabolic regulators that are affected by exercise
and nutritional interventions
4. To be able to determine how acute/chronic exercise and nutritional
interventions affect metabolism and muscle performance
5. To gain an appreciation and understanding of how the classical research
reports in exercise biochemistry have set the groundwork for our clinical
practices in exercise physiology
Evaluation Points
Procedures: Quizzes: 2-4 unannounced quizzes @ 20-50 points each 100
Experimental Design: 50
Midterm Exam: 150
Final Exam : 200
Grading
Scale: 450+ A, Plus and minus grade adjustments will be made according to
400-449 B, ñ student attendance and participation in class. In other
350-399 C, ñ words, your grade may be adjusted partially (ñ) according
300-349 D, ñ to your class attendance and contribution to class
<300 F discussions. At the end of the semester if your point score
is borderline, it could be adjusted up or down depending upon how actively involved you were in the class during the
semester.
Quizzes: There will be 2-4 unannounced quizzes this semester. The quizzes will take 15 to
30 minutes. Material covered on the quizzes will include anything discussed in
class or relevant to readings or assignments performed to date.
Experimental
Design: You have an assignment to design an experiment in exercise biochemistry. The
assignment requires that you outline an experiment to test some metabolic,
nutritional, or biochemical parameter in metabolism or bioenergetics. More details
concerning the assignment will be given in class.
Midterm
Exam: The midterm exam will cover all material up until midterm. The format for the
questions will vary. The exam is closed book.
Final Exam: The final exam will be inclusive of the material covered from midterm to the end of
the semester. The format for the questions will vary, but emphasis will be on essay
questions. The scheduled date for the final is Wednesday, December 4th at 6:10
p.m. The exam is closed book.
*All written assignments will be done on a work processor, computer, or type writer. Text will
be no larger than 12 point. Text will be double spaced. A minimal of NLC print will be
accepted. Use good quality paper that is 8.5" by 11" and print on one side only.
*No extra credit will be given for this course.
*Assignments turned in late will be reduced by 10% per day. Nothing accepted after 3 days
beyond the deadline.