What happens inside your body to provide FTP increases?

Let’s say that my FTP went from 100 to 150. What happened?
Do I have more mitochondria? More muscle mass? VO2 max increase? All the above?

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@chad this would be a GREAT podcast discussion. Parts of the changes have been addressed at different times – increased mitochondria, blood plasma volume, blood flow to muscles; fiber strength increases; etc. But nothing laid out overall.

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Interesting :thinking:, I’d like to know as well.

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Yes, good question…no idea!

This is a great podcast series if you are interested in learning more about human physiology and training effects.

6 part podcast, averaging about 1:15 each.

Too many insights to summarize here, but I got the most out of the description of the three energy systems, creatine phosphate, glycolysis and aerobic. And how the different fuel sources - creatine phosphate, glycogen/blood glucose (and derivatives pyruvate + lactate), and fat are used by each.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usa-cycling-coaches-clinic-sport-science/id418387776?mt=2

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Maybe the most important change of all:

[Aerobic exercise improves spermatogenesis of male rats: Results of iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of the testis tissue].

https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.library1.unmc.edu/pubmed/29726656

But, really, here are some other journal articles I found. Hopefully you are able to access them

[Exercise and cellular adaptation of muscle].

https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.library1.unmc.edu/pubmed/19308345

Physiological adaptations to interval training and the role of exercise intensity

https://doi-org.library1.unmc.edu/10.1113/JP273196

Exercise and Regulation of Lipid Metabolism.

https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.library1.unmc.edu/pubmed/26477910

Training-Induced Changes in Mitochondrial Content and Respiratory Function in Human Skeletal Muscle.

https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.library1.unmc.edu/pubmed/29934848

Epigenetic changes due to physical activity.

https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.library1.unmc.edu/pubmed/30144174

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Thanks @DaveWh

I knew it! thanks for the links

My WAG:

Increased O2 carrying capacity.
Increased stroke volume.
Increased ability of muscles to uptake O2.

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Thanks @chad, @Nate_Pearson, and @Jonathan for the response!

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I see a reference to changes with blood plasma volume. Was this discussed is a podcast?

Thank you.

@AujujuSauce, Looks like you have to be a member of University of Nebraska or another campus to get access to these articles, since you need a login

Some of the public libraries have access to this database. Ask yours. In Iowa I think you have to use the State Library log-in to get into medpub. No cost to residents – just have to know to ask.