1.23 The Short-Term Effects Of Exercise On The Vascular System

Question 1

What happens to the allocation of blood during exercise?

Answer 1

At rest, a high proportion of blood is directed towards organs, but during exercise the majority of blood is directed towards voluntary muscles.
E.g. from digestive system to hamstrings.

This ensures that voluntary muscles are able to work anaerobically.

Question 2

What is the process of redistributing blood called?

Answer 2

Vascular shunting

Question 3

What is vasoconstriction?

Answer 3

The narrowing of the internal diameter (lumen) of a blood vessel to restrict the volume of blood travelling through.

The arteries constrict during exercise so that less blood is delivered to inactive areas.

Question 4

What is vasodilation?

Answer 4

The widening of the lumen of a blood vessel to increase the volume of blood travelling through it.

The arteries dilate during exercise so that more blood is delivered to active areas, increasing their oxygen supply

Question 5

What would happen to the body without vascular shunting

Answer 5

You would find taking part in sport unsustainable.

Your muscles would be forced to work anaerobically and this would lead to early muscle fatigue