Angelo Mosso

Angelo Mosso

Angelo Mosso (30 May 1846 – 24 November 1910) was an Italian physiologist known for his pioneering work in several areas of physiology, including the study of human circulation, respiration, and the nervous system. He is perhaps best remembered for inventing the ergograph, a device for measuring the force of muscular contractions, and for his studies on the physiological effects of fatigue. Mosso's work laid the groundwork for future research in exercise physiology and neurophysiology.

Biography

Angelo Mosso was born in Turin, Italy, in 1846. He pursued his medical studies at the University of Turin, where he later became a professor of physiology. Throughout his career, Mosso was deeply interested in understanding how the human body responds to physical and mental stress. His research was innovative for its time, employing experimental methods to explore the dynamics of blood circulation and brain activity during different states of exertion and rest.

Contributions to Physiology

One of Mosso's significant contributions to physiology was the development of the ergograph, an instrument designed to measure the strength and endurance of muscle groups during physical activity. This invention was crucial in the study of muscular fatigue and the limits of human performance.

Mosso also conducted pioneering research in the area of cerebral circulation. He was among the first to suggest that blood flow to the brain was related to mental activity, a hypothesis he explored through experiments that measured changes in the brain's weight and blood volume under different cognitive loads. His work in this area anticipated later discoveries in neuroimaging and cognitive neuroscience.

In addition to his research on muscle fatigue and brain function, Mosso investigated the physiological effects of high altitude on the human body. His interest in this area was partly personal, as he was an avid mountaineer. Mosso's studies in the Italian Alps led to important insights into how low oxygen environments impact respiration and circulation.

Legacy

Angelo Mosso's contributions to physiology were widely recognized during his lifetime. He was a member of several scientific societies and received numerous awards for his research. Today, he is remembered as a pioneer in the study of human physiology, whose work has had a lasting impact on the fields of exercise science, neurophysiology, and environmental physiology.

Mosso's legacy also includes his efforts to popularize science. He was a prolific writer, and his books aimed at a general audience helped to disseminate scientific knowledge and foster public interest in physiological research.

Selected Works

• La Fatica (Fatigue) (1891)
• La Paura (Fear) (1896)

See Also

• Physiology
• Ergograph
• Neurophysiology
• Exercise Physiology