Adaptations of the muscular system to exercise Flashcards
What is hypertrophy?
Increase in muscle size as a result of the muscle fibres becoming larger due because of increases in protein in the muscle cells. The muscle fibres increase in size over time so that they can contract with greater force
What are tendons? Why do they increase in strength?
Tendons are tough bands of fibrous connective tissue designed to withstand tension. They attach muscle to bone. Like muscles, tendons tend to adapt to the overloading of regular exercise. Ligaments and tendons, the connective tissue structure around joints, will increase in flexibility and strength with regular exercise.
Why to mitochondria increase when exercising regularly?
Within the muscle fibres are tiny structures called mitochondria which are responsible for aerobic energy production. Because of the increase in fibre size, there is room for more and larger mitochondria, which results in the muscles being able to produce more aerobic energy which will improve aerobic performance.
What is Myoglobin? How does it increase?
Myoglobin is a type of haemoglobin. It is found exclusively in muscles. You can increase the amount of myoglobin stored in your muscles. This is important as myoglobin will transport oxygen to the mitochondria which in turn will release energy. The more myoglobin you have , the more energy will be available for the muscle.
How does Glycogen storage increase during exercise?
The muscles are able to store more glycogen as your body adapts to long-term exercise.
This means that you will be able to train at higher intensities for longer as use muscle glycogen does not require energy to produce energy. ATP & Pc stores also increase.
Why do energy sources increase?
Well-trained athletes are able to use fats more efficiently, by breaking them down into fatty acids and then into energy using oxygen.
This enables them to use fats as an energy source when carbohydrates become scarce.
Muscles also get better at breaking down glycogen so you can exercise at high intensities for longer.
Why does the muscular system increase its tolerance to lactate?
Anaerobic training stimulates the muscles to become better able to tolerate lactic acid, and clear it away more efficiently.
This increases the body’s ability to work harder for longer without fatiguing. The net result is an increase in the body’s maximal oxygen consumption. This is mainly due to the aerobic adaptations which allow you to work aerobically for longer therefore not producing lactic acid.
