A.B. Lucas Secondary School
Can An Athlete Channel When to Use Adrenaline to Improve Their Performance?
Ever wonder why you get 'butterflies in your stomach' before an important game? You feel excited yet nervous about what will happen and how you will play. Often we refer to this as a "rush of adrenaline", but what does that really mean? As many athletes know, sometimes this rush doesn't always help our performance come game time, and we can't take the pressure or we choke. So is there a way that athletes can channel this adrenaline and use it to their benefit?
Keira Min, Grade 12 Biology "You Project"
To further understand the role of adrenaline in athletes, we need a stronger understanding of its function.
What is Epinephrine?
Adrenaline, otherwise known as epinephrine, is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland and has the chemical formula of C9H13NO3 (as shown in the chemical structure to the left). It is apart of the body's stress response system and is commonly known as the Fight or Flight response. It has the ability to be both a hormone and a neurotransmitter, which are chemical messengers that send information between neurons (by crossing a synapse). Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, however, it never actually enters the cells, although it may bond to the proteins of some specific cells. It is essentially a survival hormone that is very helpful to humans when under a threat of some sort. For example, it is helpful during cardiac arrest, asthma attack, etc.
Where Does Epinephrine Come From?
Adrenaline is secreted from the adrenal glands, which sit just above the kidneys. The glands can be categorized into two sections; the cortex and the medulla. The main difference between the two is that the products of the cortex layers are controlled hormonally, whereas the product of the medulla is controlled by sympathetic activation (neurally). The cortex is made up of 3 layers (or cortex): the zona glomerulosa layer, the zona fasciculata layer, and the zona reticularis layer. The glomerulosa is the outer layer of the cortex and is responsible for producing aldosterone, which is important for water retention. The fascicuata is the second outer layer of the cortex and produces cortisol, which is an important stress signal. Finally, the reticularis is the most inner layer of the cortex and produces the sex steroids needed for reproduction. The medulla is the core of the adrenal glands, and it is here that epinephrine and norepinephrine are produced.
When is Adrenaline Activated?
Adrenaline is triggered during physical arousal - both physical and physiological biochemical changes. This could be during stress, excitement, or a threat. There are two types of arousal: primary and secondary arousal. Primary arousal occurs during an immediate challenge and prompts effectiveness in action and ultimately the skills needed for survival. The CNS (central nervous system) assesses the situation's signification and severity, determining whether it is an opportunity or a threat. Secondary arousal, on the other hand, causes one to question the outcome of survival in a dangerous/threatening encounter. This leads to the reconsideration of the ability to handle or take advantage of the situation. Instead of relying on the challenge at hand (primary arousal), secondary arousal causes distraction, overall increasing stress.
