Aeorbic capacity

Question 1

What are the factors affecting aerobic capacity?

Answer 1

Physiological make-up
Age
Gender
Training
Genetics

Question 2

What is the effect and explanation of physiological make-up on aerobic capacity?

Answer 2

Effect on VO2max - The greater the efficiency of the CV and respiratory systems and muscle cells to inspire and utilise oxygen, the higher the VO2 max

Explanation -

-Large lung volumes and strong respiratory muscles can inspire more air
-Size and strength of heart, large left ventricle will increase SV and Q raising blood flow
-Increased haemoglobin content of the blood stream will transport more oxygen
-Number of capillaries (capillarisation) will increase the SA for gas exchange
-High percentage of SO muscle fibres rich in myoglobin and mitochondria will produce more energy aerobically
-Asthma

Question 3

What is the effect and explanation of age on aerobic capacity?

Answer 3

Effect - VO2 max reduces approximately 1% prevent per year from early 20s. But will reduce less for active sportspeople

Explanation - Lost elasticity in the heart. blood vessels and lung tissue wall as with age, reducing the efficiency to inspire and transport O2

Question 4

What is the effect and explanation of gender on aerobic capacity?

Answer 4

Effect - Females tend to have a 15-30% (10-15 ml/kg/min) lower than men from the same age group

Explanation - Women have higher percentage of body fat, smaller lung volumes, smaller heart so reduced SV and Q, and lower blood haemoglobin levels. This reduces there efficiency to inspire and transport oxygen for aerobic energy production

Question 5

What is the effect and explanation of training on aerobic capacity?

Answer 5

Effect - Aerobic training can cause VO2 max to increase by 10-20%. In ageing performers aerobic training will maintain or reduce or decline in VO2 max

Explanation - Aerobic training causes long-term adaptations, such as increased strength of respiratory muscles, levels of haemoglobin, myoglobin and mitochondria, which increases the efficiency to inspire, transport and utilise oxygen

Question 6

How does genetics have an effect on VO2 max?

Answer 6

It can account for 93% of the variation in VO2 max.
eg. The difference in fibre type composition, can also influence your response to training

Question 7

What is capillarisation?

Answer 7

The formation and development of of a network of capillaries to a part of the body, increased through aerobic training