Effects of Exercise - Long-term

Question 1

Name 10 Long-term effects of exercise

Answer 1

• Cardiovascular Endurance increases
• Body uses oxygen more efficiently
• Reduced Blood Pressure at rest
• Lower resting heart rate (Bradycardia)
• Improved muscular endurance
• Improved Muscular Strength
• Muscular hypertrophy (or Cardiac Hypertrophy)
• Increased number of Red blood cells
• Increased flexibility
• Improved Body Shape

Question 2

Explain why Cardiovascular endurance improves when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 2

• Cardiac hypertrophy means that Stroke Volume increases
• More capillaries develop at the alveoli and the muscles therefore more blood and oxygen can be delivered to the working muscles.
• This means that body can work for longer without tiring.

Question 3

Explain why the body is more efficient at using oxygen when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 3

• More capillaries develop at the alveoli and the muscles therefore more blood and oxygen can be delivered to the working muscles.
• This means that body can work for longer without tiring.

Question 4

Explain why blood pressure reduces when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 4

The walls of the arteries become more elastic, reducing the pressure inside them.

High blood pressure is associated with heart disease and stroke.

Question 5

Explain why resting heart rate decreases when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 5

The cardiac muscle around the heart gets bigger (cardiac hypertrophy) when we train, so the heart can pump more blood per beat. This means it does not have to pump as many times per minute when we are resting.

Question 6

Explain why muscular endurance increases when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 6

With aerobic exercise or weight training (light weights/ high reps) the number of capillaries in the muscles increases. This means that more oxygen can get to the muscles so they can keep working for longer, without tiring.

Question 7

Explain why muscular strength and size increases when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 7

When lifting heavy weights (low repetitions), the muscle fibres used sustain minor damage. They are repaired in greater number and thicker than before, making the muscles larger and stronger.

Question 8

Explain why the number of red blood cells increases when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 8

Red blood cells carry oxygen to the working muscles. When we train. the number of red blood cells in the body increases. This means that more oxygen can be delivered to the working muscles and the athlete can work for longer without tiring.

Question 9

Explain why flexibility increases when training for 6 weeks or longer

Answer 9

Muscles and tendons become more elastic so a join can move through a greater range of motion. This means the athlete is less likely to get injured.