Before a trainer can plan exercises that are effective and safe, they need to understand how the body is built and how it works. Anatomy and physiology provide that foundation, and everything else in this module builds on it.
Anatomy: the structure of the body
Anatomy explains the structure of the body. It names and describes the parts: bones, muscles, joints, the heart, the lungs and so on, and how they are arranged. When you say that the biceps are on the front of the upper arm or that the spine is made of vertebrae, you are using anatomy.
Physiology: how the body functions
Physiology explains how the body’s systems function. It describes what the parts do: how muscles contract to create movement, how the heart pumps blood and how the lungs bring in oxygen. When you say that breathing and heart rate increase during exercise to supply muscles with oxygen, you are using physiology.
Why both are needed
Anatomy tells the trainer what is there; physiology tells the trainer how it behaves under exercise. Together they help a trainer plan exercises that are effective and safe. For example, knowing which muscles a squat uses (anatomy) and how the
heart and lungs respond to repeated squats (physiology) allows you to choose a suitable number of repetitions and rest periods.
The body as connected systems
The body’s systems do not work in isolation. Muscles need bones and joints to produce movement, and they need the heart and lungs to deliver oxygen. They also need nutrients from digested food to produce energy and recover. This module studies these systems one by one so that you can later see how they work together in a training session.
- Muscular system: produces movement and force.
- Skeletal system and joints: support the body and allow movement.
- Spine: supports the body and protects the spinal cord.
- Cardiovascular and respiratory systems: deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
- Digestive system: provides nutrients for energy, growth and recovery.
Using body knowledge with clients
Good trainers translate technical knowledge into simple explanations. Rather than lecturing, you might say: ‘This exercise works the muscles at the front of your thighs and your buttocks, so keep your chest up and push through your heels.’ Clients who understand what they are doing tend to perform exercises better and stay motivated.
