Anatomy And Physiology - Environmental Effects On Exercise

Question 1

How many meters above sea level is high altitude?

Answer 1

2000m+

Question 2

What is the main difference between high altitude and low altitude?

Answer 2

There is a normal ppO2 of oxygen in the air at low altitude therefore the muscle have fill saturation of oxygen and can work at normal rate. However there is a low ppO2 at high altitude and then muscles have a limited saturation of oxygen.

Question 3

What are the short term effects of altitude?

Answer 3

• decrease pO2 in the alveoli, causing a decrease in the diffusion gradient, decreased O2 and haemoglobin association during breathing, decreased O2 in the blood, reduced diffusion gradient and O2 exchange during internal respiration, decreased VO2Max and increased OBLA.

Question 4

What are the 6 short term effects of altitude training?

Answer 4

• increased breathing rate at rest and during exercise
• blood plasma volume decreases by 25% to increase density of red blood cells
• stroke volume decreases which increases heart rate
• maximum cardiac output decreases at high intensities
• reduced metabolic processes in the muscle cells
• all leads to increased rate of fatigue. VO2 max drops leading to a reduction in aerobic capacity.

Question 5

What is acclimatisation?

Answer 5

A process where the athlete gradually adapts to a change in their environment. This is essential for endurance athletes who rely on oxygen transport for effective performance

Question 6

How does the body acclimatise?

Answer 6

• the body makes up for the deficit of oxygen by producing more erythropoietin (EPO), stimulating the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen to the muscle
• up to a point the more red blood cells you have the high your oxygen carrying capacity meaning more at the muscles
• the Boyd starts to return to normal sate as more oxygen is arrive at the working muscles and organs

Question 7

Who would use altitude training?

Answer 7

• technique used by endurance athletes, marathon runners and grand tour cyclists.

Question 8

How long does the body remain acclimatise after returning to low altitude?

Answer 8

10-14 days

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of training at high altitude?

Answer 10

• can lead to nausea and feeling breathless during initial move into altitude
• body can overproduce EPO and blood becomes more viscous increasing the risk of blood clot
• cannot exercise intensely at altitude, reducing performance in some sport
• loss of appetite, inhibition of muscle repair and excessive work of breathing