【英语时差8,16】科学更衣室

How do you improve at any sport? You train, train, train.   But how you train is just as important as how much. Armed with the science of exercise physiology¹, today's olympic-class coaches design sophisticated programs for their athletes.

A muscle is like an engine, and the fuel it runs on is the chemical ATP. Our bodies have three separate systems for creating this fuel however. Exercise physiologists² pay close attention to how an athlete's ATP is produced.

The phosphocreatine system gives an athlete lots of ATP very fast, but it's only good for about ten seconds before it needs to recharge. The second system, called glycolysis, provides a more steady supply, but too much glycolysis can make the muscles inefficient³. The third system, called aerobic⁴ metabolism⁵, burns fats and sugars to make ATP. Aerobic metabolism is best for long term endurance, but it's slow to get going, and, like the other systems, it also runs out of steam.

Olympic trainers take these systems into account. A long- distance runner should use aerobic metabolism for as much of her ATP as possible. To ensure this, she'll be tested on a treadmill⁶ to measure her threshold of aerobic metabolism. The trainer then develops a training program which will increase it. On the other hand, a weight lifter should use his phosphocreatine system, which provides maximum ATP in short bursts of time. His work- outs will build up the enzymes⁷ of this system, as well as build up his muscles.

That's just one way athletes can get a boost from the science of exercise physiology.   

1 physiology   

n.生理学，生理机能

参考例句：

• He bought a book about physiology.他买了一本生理学方面的书。
• He was awarded the Nobel Prize for achievements in physiology.他因生理学方面的建树而被授予诺贝尔奖。

2 physiologists   

n.生理学者( physiologist的名词复数 )；生理学( physiology的名词复数 )；生理机能

参考例句：

• Quite unexpectedly, vertebrate physiologists and microbial biochemists had found a common ground. 出乎意外，脊椎动物生理学家和微生物生化学家找到了共同阵地。 来自辞典例句
• Physiologists are interested in the workings of the human body. 生理学家对人体的功能感兴趣。 来自辞典例句

3 inefficient   

adj.效率低的，无效的

参考例句：

• The inefficient operation cost the firm a lot of money.低效率的运作使该公司损失了许多钱。
• Their communication systems are inefficient in the extreme.他们的通讯系统效率非常差。

4 aerobic   

adj.需氧的，增氧健身法的，有氧的

参考例句：

• Aerobic exercise helps to build up stamina.有氧健身操有助于增强耐力。
• Aerobic dance is conductive to the health.有氧舞蹈有助于健康。

5 metabolism   

n.新陈代谢

参考例句：

• After years of dieting,Carol's metabolism was completely out of whack.经过数年的节食，卡罗尔的新陈代谢完全紊乱了。
• All living matter undergoes a process of metabolism.生物都有新陈代谢。

6 treadmill   

n.踏车；单调的工作

参考例句：

• The treadmill has a heart rate monitor.跑步机上有个脉搏监视器。
• Drugs remove man from the treadmill of routine.药物可以使人摆脱日常单调的工作带来的疲劳。

7 enzymes   

n. 酶，酵素

参考例句：

• It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently. 据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效。
• Among the enzymes which are particularly effective are pepsin, papain. 在酶当中特别有效的是胃朊酶、木瓜酶。