Chapter 12 - Exercise and Injury Prevention Flashcards
346 pg
Homeotherm
Animals like humans that regulate body temperature to remain close to a set point.
Convection
Heat loss by the movement of air or water over the surface of the body.
Evaporation
Conversion of water (sweat) to a gas (water vapor); the most important means of releasing heat from the body during exercise.
Humidity
The amount of water vapor in the air.
Acclimatize
To undergo physiological adaptations that help the body adjust to environmental extremes
Heat Injury
Injury that occurs when the heat load exceed the body’s ability to regulate body temperature. Also called heat illness.
Heat cramps
Characterized by muscle spasms or the twitching of the limbs; usually occurs in people not acclimatized to the heat
Heat exhaustion
Results in general weakness, fatigue, a possible drop in blood pressure, blurred vision, occasionally a loss of consciousness, and profuse sweating from pale, clammy skin. It can occur in an acclimatized individual.
Heat stroke
Life-threatening emergency where a person stops sweating and the skin become hot or red. Muscles are limp and symptoms include involuntary limb movement, seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, and a strong heartbeat. May hallucinate or go into a coma, and can be fatal.
How to exercise in hot or humid conditions:
- Start exercising slowly and keep the sessions relatively short (15 to 20 min.)
- Monitor heart rate often and keep exercise intensity low to stay within the target heart rate zone.
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after the exercise session
- Exercise when air temperatures are cooler
Hypothermia
Significant decline in body temperature due to exposure to cold.
What is the primary concern with exercising at high altitudes
Lower barometric pressure limits the amount of oxygen transported in the blood.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Characterized by severe headaches, nausea, weakness, and dizziness at high elevations because the body doesn’t have enough time to adjust the rate and depth of breathing.
Ozone
Gas produced by a chemical reaction between sunlight and the hydrocarbons emitted from car exhaust.
Carbon monoxide
Gas produced during the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal; also present in cigarette smoke.