How much exercise is too much? | Tim Noakes | TEDxCapeTown

Tim Noakes: UCT Professor of Sports Science

I am Tim Noakes, co-founder and executive director of the Sports Science Institute of SA, author, respected academic and A1 rated scientist.

I am a Director of UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town. I am also the Professor, Discovery Health Chair of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Cape Town. I have long been acknowledged as an expert in the field of sports and the science of physical exercise.

My idea worth spreading to present at TEDxCapeTown 2012 is about having the right mindset to learn and achieve.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[CommodoreCate]

"Industry is driving what you believe [about diet]". Never a truer word spoken!

[bigt]

Noakes is proof to me just how hard it is to be a scientist without bias...

[ethanhuntakabobturner]

Until you can't recover from one exercise session enough to be stronger/faster/fitter etc (strength and fitness returns diminish on the exercise investment the longer you've been exercising for [in terms of years]) in your next exercise session is the answer to the title question by the way. If you're exercising to get better at it then then the must know rule is that (technically) the "exercising" doesn't make you better; it's the recovery (rest) from the exercising that make you better because this is where adaptation to the exercise stimulus takes place. So you can exercise too much to never recover enough for adaptation to take place. This of course differs from person to person and depends on a number of factors such as diet, sleeping habits, PED usage, genetics and the use of recovery therapy to name a few.

[drowsystagyearsago]

Well, I came here to learn about how much exercise is too much. I'm a little peeved that the talk had nothing to do with that question but I did learn some new things so I'm not entirely mad.

[golaoi]

The title has nothing to do with the talk!

[chrisdiprose]

"Aim to be on the side of truth" .. words of wisdom!!

[uiop]

this guy is cool. glad he came around and is so honest

[connieback]

When we exercise for extended periods of time we deplete blood sugar and the glycogen stored in muscles. We also sweat out water and salt. The human body burns about 1 carb per minute during exercise. Water and salt loss varies between individuals, but it is thought that the rate of water replacement needs to be from 4-8 ounces every 15 minutes for the majority. It is my understanding that salt loss is consistent with how much we sweat. Sports drinks are designed to replace water and salt in a solution that is similar to the fluid lost. Carbs, to be replaced at the rate they are used, would need to be replaced at the rate of 60 per hour. If you drink 32 ounces of drink per hour and don't eat anything then you would want your drink to have 60 carbs. That is about what Gatorade has.

In my own personal experience it became clear to me that I need to be replacing carbs, water, and salt throughout my endurance exercise session when the sensation of extreme thirst continued to worsen and my thinking became more and more muddled the more I tried to quench my thirst with water. I have had no further problems with endurance exercise now that I always have enough salt and carbs either in my water or with my water. People exercising up to 90 minutes may not need to replace anything besides water, but the endurance athlete needs to replace water, salt, and carbs for extended workouts.

[anabelledoom]

I like how he tries merging tons of topics into one due to the passion he has for the science of it, I'm sure he was excited to get all that information out there.

[weisjerry]

Truly fascinating. For many years I had subscribed to the mantra of drink lots of liquids, consuming close to a gallon of water a day. But I could never figure out why I always craved salt so badly. It also seemed that despite my large intake of water, I would get dehydrated way too easily. This gave me some interesting insights to ponder.

[shplog]

Title was "Challenging Beliefs on nutrition/exercise", TED.

[kristianfagerstrom]

I don't think _anyone_ who's ever done sports disagrees with the statement that there is a huge psychological aspect. But claiming that there is NO muscle fatigue, only brain fatigue? I'd like to see more on that subject before I accept his claim.

[williamseigler]

There is another TED talk that actually addresses what this title was supposed to. "Run for your life at a comfortable pace and not too far."

[IglooDweller]

So, basically... Nobody knows anything about anything.

[stephenblack]

one of my all time mentors in medicine - to your health my friends

[emmaswanwick]

Tim noakes is a brilliant scientist and speaker.

[darkapothecary]

I love working out as both a career and lifestyle though it's kinda hard to get the nutrition that is needed to stay healthy. That is the main reason why I have health problems but doing what you love goes beyond what is a stable life style when it comes to health. Live simple, do what you love, protect others. Fear not death and you have less to fear and can live. Though if you have means to take care of your self try!

[longboarderanonymous]

Keep moving and drink when you are thirsty. Don't drink or eat too fast. Fatigue is an emotion and affects you motivation. Fatigue responds to pain which is also linked to the emotional part of the brain. Mix of fats and balance diet(Protein, Fats, Carbs) is better. Watch out for carbs and sugars.

[alir.]

The talk wasn't really related to the title but it was fantastic and essential! Excellent lecture just they need to edit the title.

[mariusverwey]

What a teacher and speaker, am proud of you Tim.