Supersoldier Physiology
Supersoldier Physiology
It's common in fanfictions, including mine, to show Steve or Bucky as needing to eat a lot of food, but I've often wondered about this. It makes sense, since he's got a lot of muscle mass (Sam: "You're heavier than you look!") and we've seen in First Avenger that he's got a metabolic rate about 4x that of a normal human.
However, unlike other heroes (DC's Flash and, heck, even Tony Stark), we almost never see either Bucky or Steve eating. This could just be a directorial/writing decision since the stories are usually jam-packed and a lot ends up on the cutting room floor. Maybe TPTB simply figure it's implied and when the supersoldiers eat, they eat hefty meals (Steve in TWS: "I had a big breakfast.")
Or maybe the serum also makes them more metabolically efficient. Who knows? :)
But here is an interesting journal article on the topic:
Superhero physiology: the case for Captain America
Captain America is rarely seen ingesting food. This is significant since energy substrate utilization depends on caloric consumption. This is also directly relevant to statements made in the movies that Captain America has a resting metabolic rate four times above the normal human, making him resistant to the effects of alcohol (shown in Captain America: The First Avenger). The normal resting rate of oxygen consumption is 3.5 ml·kg−1·min−1 (15). Four times this value places Captain America’s resting metabolic rate at 14 ml·kg−1·min−1. With a body mass of 109 kg and an estimated body fat percentage of 10%, this means that his resting caloric expenditure is 7.63 kcal/min, contrasted to a normal human of the same body mass who expends roughly 1.9 kcal/min at rest. Hence, the elevated resting metabolic rate tremendously increases Cap’s caloric demand to maintain body weight. However, that Captain America is not shown constantly eating to meet this elevated resting caloric demand indicates that he does not need to ingest four times the amount of calories as would a normal 109-kg adult male with a greatly exaggerated resting metabolic rate.
The scientific explanation for this lies with metabolic efficiency. The normal adult male or female is very inefficient, as roughly 75–80% of the energy liberated in the body during metabolic processes is lost as heat (31). Thus, roughly 20–25% of ingested calories are utilized for energy production. A case could be made that Captain America’s dietary demands are not different due to an improved metabolic efficiency. This is supported by the fact that constant eating is not a part of his character as displayed in the movies. Nor do we see him sweating to dissipate the heat load associated with normal physiological inefficiency. We propose three main adaptations to explain this: 1) a major improvement in digestive efficiency mediated through both greatly increased absorptive capacity and reduced dietary-induced thermogenesis (this aspect will not be discussed further in this paper), 2) a greatly reduced metabolic energy expenditure in processes such as the Na+/K+ pump (discussed briefly below), and 3) tremendously enhanced cellular substrate utilization (discussed in greater detail since many physiological changes occur in response to chronic exercise training to allow for this effect).
More Posts from Bunnyoftheapocalypse and Others
Last week I sent this to my current Master and asked if he would do this to me. Unfortunately he won't be here until the first week of August. Sigh. Such a long time.
Well, I'm sure I'll be able to come across more fun pictures of things I want him to do to me that I can send in the meantime...
(via willingsubmission, tomsmith65)
Me too.
But only if it came with minions. 'Cause I sure wouldn't be cleaning that sucker. Castles are big. Though if it came with minions, maybe that would make it an evil lair.
Hmmm....
I need this now!!! Just shut up and take my money!!!
Due out 11/01/13
4D Game of Thrones Puzzle - Westeros 1000+ Jigsaw Puzzle (by 4DCityscape)
4D Cityscape now introduces the official puzzle guide for Game of Thrones, based on the award winning HBO television series. This puzzle will guide players through the assembly of the map of Westeros in a patented multi-layer design. The first layer is a 1000+ pieces jigsaw puzzle that will teach you all about the various locations and regions of Westeros. The second layer is an artistic 200+ pieces jigsaw puzzle that replicates the current landscape based on the famous introduction of the television series. The third layer adds the 3D miniature replicas models that you insert into the puzzle, which include famous cities and castles such as Kings Landing, Winterfell, Eyrie, the Wall, and more! In addition, the puzzle comes with an information booklet that teaches you everything you need to know about Westeros, including over 45 flags to mark famous landmarks, 10 sigils to mark the Houses, and 5 battle markers to learn the locations of five major battles. Ages 13+. The fully assembled product measures 30 x 18 x 2 inches.
SQUEE!!!!! Much joy was had by all! The next Sandman Slim book is getting all pretty for publishing!
Devil Said Bang galleys!
Calling it now Chef Ramsey is going to be the 12th Doctor
“get in the fucking tardis GOD”
“this planet is disgusting; bland, wet. it’s embarrassing”
doctor, where are we?
“in the shit.”
damn ok lake superior
lmao so i was just going through my camera roll and clearing some photos out, when i stumbled across this screenshot i took in january of 2020 and…
i’m in shock. i literally don’t know how i forgot this happened, like i was actually astounded when i found this. NEVER forget when steve rogers’ ending was so horrifically out-of character that SEBASTIAN STAN HIMSELF posted a screenshot to instagram of a tweet dogging on his ending. it’s been years and i still haven’t forgiven marvel. i don’t think i ever will.
While her expression change is good, it's the glowing sparkles that really make it.
BOUNTIFUL, Utah (KUTV) — After weeks of fighting their health insurance's denial of coverage, the Bateman family from Utah has not only secured a prosthetic arm for their 9-year-old daughter Remi, but has also helped another child receive the same life-changing device.
Remi's mother, Jami Bateman, shared that after their insurance provider Select Health deemed the prosthetic "not medically necessary," the family launched a GoFundMe campaign. The response was overwhelming, with the fundraiser quickly exceeding its goal.
"The GoFundMe got reposted. We exceeded well over the goal," Jami said. "I was contacted by the CEO of CrowdHealth. They decided to pick up the bill and paid for Remi's arm in full. It's just been amazing."
Because the CEO offered to pay for Remi's arm, the Batemans used the funds raised to pay for a boy in Maryland's prosthetic arm.
The viral story didn't just help Remi — her family's campaign also caught the attention of another family with an 8-year-old boy named Taj from Maryland, who will now receive the same "Hero Arm" prosthetic.
"I wasn't able to do this for Taj for Christmas," Taj's mother said, "but thought 'maybe next summer, we'll be able to get [the arm]'."
Jami Bateman hopes their story brings joy to both families.
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Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? Free Drinks and Bad Advice.Enticing Propositions, Nebulous Boundaries, Hijinks Ensue. General things that catch my interest, could be anything…Sebastian Stan, Winter Soldier stuff…probably with some porn sprinkled in too..... I'm all over the internet and don't always remember where I got things so if you see a picture or something and I don't have it credited correctly, please just let me know and I'll correct it or if it's yours and you'd like it taken down I will.
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