Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Limits01:30

Introduction to Limits

A limit describes the value a function approaches as its input moves closer to a particular point. Even when a function is undefined at a specific value, limits allow us to analyze its behavior near that point. This concept is fundamental in calculus and essential for understanding continuity, derivatives, and integrals.Mathematically, a function f(x) has a limit L at x = a if its values L approach x as x gets arbitrarily close to a. This is written as:This notation expresses that the function...
Limits at Infinity01:24

Limits at Infinity

The function that decreases as the input becomes very large provides a clear example of how mathematical functions can behave at extreme values. When the input increases continuously, the output becomes smaller and smaller, getting closer to a particular fixed value. Although the output never actually reaches this value, it moves nearer to it without limit. This behavior is a fundamental concept in understanding how functions behave as the input grows indefinitely. The graphical representation...
Types of Limits I01:23

Types of Limits I

Limits are a key mathematical concept for understanding how functions behave as their input approaches specific values, particularly when the function is undefined. They help reveal trends and discontinuities by examining the values a function approaches rather than its actual value.One-sided limits focus on the direction from which a value is approached. When a function behaves differently depending on whether the input approaches from the left or the right, the two one-sided limits may not...
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...
Types of Limits II01:24

Types of Limits II

When observing how a curve behaves near a specific point along the horizontal axis, there are cases where the curve’s height increases or decreases without limit as the position draws closer to that point. The curve does not settle at any particular value; instead, the values grow more extreme—upward or downward—the nearer they get. No defined value exists exactly at that location, yet the surrounding behavior becomes more dramatic, indicating a sharp change in direction.The values may rise...
Limits of the First Law of Thermodynamics01:22

Limits of the First Law of Thermodynamics

Spontaneous processes, like a rock falling to the ground or sodium reacting with chlorine, occur without external work and often involve a decrease in the system‘s energy. However, certain endothermic processes, such as the dissolution of sodium chloride in water, occur spontaneously even though they increase the energy of the system. This limitation suggests that the First Law of Thermodynamics, which states that the total energy of a system is constant in an isolated system, cannot fully...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

New Events in Top Performance Sports: Potential Benefit, Challenge, Risk, or Hazard.

International journal of sports physiology and performance·2025
Same author

Preserved Fuel Mix in Spite of Increased Metabolic Rate and Lactate Steady State at Higher Cycling Cadence.

International journal of sports physiology and performance·2025
Same author

The Silent Workforce of Academic Publishing: Time to Give Credit to Peer Reviewers.

International journal of sports physiology and performance·2025
Same author

Commentary: COVID-19 impairs oxygen delivery by altering red blood cell hematological, hemorheological, and oxygen transport properties.

Frontiers in physiology·2024
Same author

Cadence Paradox in Cycling-Part 2: Theory and Simulation of Maximal Lactate Steady State and Carbohydrate Utilization Dependent on Cycling Cadence.

International journal of sports physiology and performance·2024
Same author

Sport Science, Geopolitics, and How Each of Us Can Make a Difference.

International journal of sports physiology and performance·2024
Same journal

Intra- and inter-biosynthetic gene cluster allelic variation as drivers of chemical diversification in Streptomyces.

Essays in biochemistry·2026
Same journal

Considering internal conflict in the face of natural product biosynthesis and biosynthetic gene cluster evolution.

Essays in biochemistry·2026
Same journal

The plant holobiont: integrating molecular priming and ecological legacies for climate-adaptive immunity.

Essays in biochemistry·2026
Same journal

Bacterial-fungal interactions: connections and consequences.

Essays in biochemistry·2026
Same journal

Invasive plasmids as ecosystem engineers-from mechanism to application.

Essays in biochemistry·2026
Same journal

From early defence priming to lasting memory: developmental and seasonal dynamics in trees.

Essays in biochemistry·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise
09:33

Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise

Published on: December 19, 2024

The limits of human performance.

Ralph Beneke1, Dieter Böning

  • 1Centre for Sports and Exercise Science, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK. rbeneke@essex.ac.uk

Essays in Biochemistry
|April 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human performance relies on metabolic energy, with limits in its supply and utilization. Understanding fatigue mechanisms and cerebral control is key to optimizing athletic potential and adaptation.

More Related Videos

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
07:26

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
09:24

A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers

Published on: January 28, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise
09:33

Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise

Published on: December 19, 2024

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
07:26

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
09:24

A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers

Published on: January 28, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Sports Science
  • Human Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Human performance is a complex interplay of physiological, task, and environmental factors.
  • Metabolic energy, derived from aerobic and anaerobic sources, fuels performance but has inherent capacity and rate limitations.
  • Individual metabolic profiles and safety margins influence maximal effort and performance sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifactorial limits of metabolic energy provision and utilization in athletes.
  • To investigate the cerebral control mechanisms influencing performance modulation and termination.
  • To review the historical and current use of biochemicals, supplements, and nutrition for performance enhancement, including doping concerns.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on human performance, metabolism, and ergogenic aids.
  • Discussion of the physiological basis of fatigue and adaptation.
  • Analysis of the role of nutrition and biochemical interventions.

Main Results:

  • Metabolic energy supply and utilization have critical limitations affecting performance.
  • Cerebral control mechanisms play a role in modulating effort, though not fully understood.
  • Biochemicals and supplements offer ergogenic potential but raise concerns regarding legality, efficacy, and safety.
  • The impact of nutritional strategies on skeletal muscle gene and protein expression remains largely unexplored.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the basic mechanisms of fatigue and adaptation is crucial for optimizing human performance.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate cerebral control and the effects of nutritional strategies on molecular adaptations.
  • Responsible ergogenic strategies require careful consideration of evidence, legality, and risks.