Question

A woman is training to improve her running capabilities for an upcoming marathon. She is progressively increasing the distance and time of her runs. Which principle best explains physiological adaptions occuring to the woman's aerobic energy system?
Select one:

a. Autogenic inhibition
b. Mechanical specificity
c. Reciprocal inhibition
d. Metabolic specificity

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is d. Metabolic specificity .

Explanation:

The specificity principle says that we must train the physical qualities (physiological elements involved) in the concrete conditions that the competition demands. Accordingly, the impact on muscles and metabolic pathways not used directly during exercise is very small. Metabolic specificity is a principle of adaptation and it applies to the energy systems mobilized during the exercise. The muscle mass involved and the overall intensity of the exercise will dictate whether the responses to training will be limited to adaptations at the muscular level or if adaptations will occur at the cardiovascular level. Continuous aerobic training of submaximal intensity is reflected in the increase in the activity of oxidative metabolism enzymes. The running speed of a marathon is regulated by aerobic metabolism in the recruited muscle fibers and by the economic conversion of this energy into speed. Increasing the distance and time of her races progressively allows the endurance athlete to exercise at a high intensity for significantly longer periods of time.