1 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.
But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.
According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.
To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.
“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.
Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.
It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.
1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?A.Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression. |
B.The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids. |
C.Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running. |
D.The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood. |
A.To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms. |
B.To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high. |
C.To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high. |
D.To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released. |
A.Effect. | B.Goal. | C.Opinion. | D.Question |
A.They can help ease depression symptoms. |
B.They are the best way to treat depression. |
C.They only work for those with serious depression. |
D.They can help people completely recover from depression. |
2 .
The documentary displays Lang’s inspiring journey from her gold medal victory as a volleyball player in the 1984 Olympics to her amazing career as a successful coach for both Team USA from 2005 to 2008 and China since 2013. She was the first person to win Olympic volleyball gold as a player and coach. Lang Ping revealed the secret to such remarkable achievements in the documentary. As she said, “
But illness is certainly not the only difficulty Lang has faced. In 2005, she struggled with balancing raising her daughter Lydia Bai Lang, who lived in the US, and her coaching career. She eventually decided to work for USA Volleyball that year.
There is no doubt that Lang is one of the greatest players and coaches in history. As an American athlete commented in the documentary,
A.Who is Lang Ping? |
B.Lang is the hardest to defeat. |
C.I believe volleyball was my life. |
D.What makes one a great person? |
E.Glory and challenges go hand in hand. |
F.Lang Ping is like Michael Jordan in our minds. |
G.This decision aroused a lot of negative comments in China. |
3 . All over the world people enjoy sports. Sports help to keep people healthy and happy, and to live longer.
Some sports or games go back thousands of years, like running or jumping. Chinese wushu, for example, has a very long history. But basketball and volleyball are rather new. Neither one is a hundred years old yet.
People from different countries may not be able to understand each other, but after a game together they often become good friends.
A.And think of people in cold countries. |
B.Sports help to train a person’s character. |
C.Not a few people like sports in the world. |
D.Many people like to watch others play games. |
E.People aren’t inventing new sports or games. |
F.Some sports are so interesting that people everywhere take part in them. |
G.People are inventing new sports or games all the time. |
The term “extreme sports”, which we might have seen on a magazine or a website,
During the 1970s and 1980s, the term was used for sports with high risks
Extreme sports cover a wide range. Some
Nowadays, such sports have become more popular
5 . Before there was the written word, there was the language of dance. Dance expresses love and hate, joy and sorrow, life and death, and everything else in between.
“I adore dancing,” says Lester Bridges, the owner of a dance studio in Iowa. “I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.” Bridges runs dance classes for all ages. “Teaching dance is wonderful.
So, do we dance in order to make ourselves feel better, calmer, healthier? Andrea Hillier says, “Dance, like the pattern of a beating heart, is life. Even after all these years, I want to get better and better.
A.So why do we dance? |
B.Dance in the U.S. is everywhere. |
C.If you like dancing outdoors, come to America. |
D.My older students say it makes them feel young. |
E.I keep practicing even when I’m extremely tired. |
F.Dancing seems to change their feeling completely. |
G.They stayed up all night long singing and dancing. |
According to a review of evidence in a medical journal, runners live three years
The best exercise is one that you enjoy and will do. But otherwise… it's probably running. To avoid knee pain, you can run on soft surfaces, do exercises to
7 . If you are already making the time to exercise, it is good indeed! With such busy lives, it can be hard to try and find the time to work out.
Your productivity is improved. Exercising makes you more awake and ready to handle whatever is ahead of you for the day.
Your metabolism(新陈代谢) gets a head start.
There are a lot of benefits to working out, especially in the mornings. Set your alarm clock an hour early and push yourself to work out! You will feel energized all day long.
A.You will stick to your diet. |
B.Your quality of sleep improves. |
C.You prefer healthy food to fast food. |
D.There is no reason you should exercise in the morning. |
E.You can keep your head clear for 4-10 hours after exercise. |
F.After you exercise, you continue to burn calories throughout the day. |
G.If you are planning to do exercise regularly, or you’re doing it now, then listen up! |
8 . Reasons Why Physical Education is Important in School
Are you looking for information about the importance of physical education in schools and why it should be emphasized? Do you want a healthy active lifestyle for your kids? Then this article can help you convince your kids that exercising and participation especially in school PE classes are important.
● It's a link to good health.
●It's preventive measure against diseases.
●
Physical health allows students to function even better in classrooms. A good cardiovascular(心血管的) system developing from regular exercise promotes excellent blood and oxygen circulation. This means more nutrients circulate throughout the body which includes the brain. This circulation produces longer attention time during classes allowing longer concentration and better absorption.
● It builds self-esteem
Students who are active in physical activities like basketball, volleyball and running are more confident with themselves according to most social school studies.
●
Most physical education programs are holistic. The program allows students to interact together to a common goal, that is, to win and excel physically. It not only brings out the competitive sides of students working with both body and mind but also promotes sportsmanship.
●It promotes a physically active lifestyle.
The purpose of physical education is to instill(逐渐灌输) in students, at an early age, the value of self-preservation and choosing a lifestyle that is good for both the mind and body.
A.Physical education plays a vital role in students' development and growth. |
B.It's a program for muscle strength and fitness. |
C.It's probably because of the dedication made to a sport that brings out the best in students. |
D.It develops cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship. |
E.The value of physical fitness cannot be overstated too much. |
F.It promotes academic learning. |
G.Many doctors today agree that obesity is a serious health risk. |
9 . If you want to keep fit, please refer to the following.
Move More
Make it a daily thing to find ways to move your body.
Quit Smoking
Ever since 1960 when it was announced that smoking was harmful to health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products. Just recently, we’ve seen more and more teens smoking. Could it be the Hollywood influence?
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney(肝肾)disease and cancer.
Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress comes in many ways.
Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can’t live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms.
A.Avoid Excessive(过度的) Drinking |
B.Keep a Positive Mental Outlook |
C.Think carefully about what you will do. |
D.Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. |
E.It seems that the stars in every movie smoke cigarettes. |
F.There are many things you can do to move your arms and legs. |
G.Some techniques given by experts are to think positive thoughts. |
10 . Running for a Dream
I will never forget that November day.It was hotter than normal.This was the
For the first two and a half miles.I felt
Then without warning,my strength began to decrease.Neck and neck with one of my greatest competitors,I
I watched as runners rushed by me.
The doctors were there in seconds,but my eyes searched the crowd for him.There was only one person I wanted to
"But we worked so
It wasn't long before my running shoes were back on,marking a
A.dream | B.weather | C.result | D.day |
A.for | B.to | C.across | D.over |
A.coldness | B.astonishment | C.excitement | D.amusement |
A.proud | B.great | C.nervous | D.afraid |
A.programs | B.studies | C.instructions | D.practices |
A.sacrifice | B.potential | C.patience | D.attention |
A.look | B.move | C.start | D.come |
A.should | B.could | C.must | D.need |
A.relief | B.spirit | C.pleasure | D.glory |
A.give | B.feel | C.hold | D.add |
A.Where | B.Because | C.If | D.Although |
A.trust | B.emotion | C.strength | D.confidence |
A.loud | B.foreign | C.soft | D.firm |
A.going | B.running | C.fighting | D.training |
A.refer | B.talk | C.listen | D.agree |
A.frightened | B.disturbed | C.disappointed | D.bored |
A.develop | B.change | C.follow | D.happen |
A.late | B.hard | C.closely | D.quickly |
A.new | B.near | C.rough | D.narrow |
A.wish | B.duty | C.rank | D.race |