119 Virgin Olive Oil Benefits 9.1. Introduction A broad spectrum of press reports and opinion articles claim for the benefits of olive oil on physical activity. Nevertheless, scientific evidence supporting these benefits is scarce, particularly when effects are analysed out of the context of the Mediterranean diet. This diet is considered to be a healthy pattern due to its components, with olive oil playing a key role. Whilst there is evidence concerning the advantages of adherence to the Mediterranean diet regarding chronic diseases (cardiovascular, obesity, diabetes), there are limited data with respect to sports performance. The benefits of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) consumption on health have been linked to both its fatty acid composition and its minor compounds, among them polyphenols and some vitamins. The main EVOO fatty acid is oleic acid, chemically classified as monounsaturated (one degree of unsaturation, i.e. a single double bond) belonging to the omega-9 family. Unsaturation occurs when there is a double bond between carbons which promotes a tridimensional change in the fatty acid molecule thus influencing its biological activity. Among the fatty acids with more than one unsaturation (polyunsaturated) there are two main families: omega-6 (present in seed oils) and omega-3 (found in walnuts, algae, and fish oil). 9.2. Physiology of exercise Several physiological systems are involved in physical activity which in turn has an impact on many of them. When performing exercise, they are activated to facilitate the arrival of nutrients and oxygen to several tissues (especially the muscle), which triggers a physiological response or adjustment (e.g. increases in heart and respiratory rate, secretion of hormones such as adrenaline). Such changes are transient, levels return to normal when physical activity ceases. On the other hand, repetitive physical activity (training), can promote physiological adaptations which remain unchanged at a long-term basis (e.g. increase in muscular mass or reduction of resting heart rate). Both responses and adaptations are dependent on the type of physical activity performed. Regular physical activity practice has been shown to have considerable benefits on health, including weight control, cardiovascular disease reduction, better control of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, decrease in some types of cancer, and improvements in mood and mental health. Physical activity depends on the proper energy supply to the muscle fibre responsible for contraction. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecule is the main source of cellular energy because in its hydrolysis (breakdown into two minor fragments) energy is released. Various metabolic pathways and energetic substrates (carbohydrates, fats, and, to a lesser extent, proteins) can generate ATP. From a
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