Environmental effects on body systems (1.1d)

Question 1

define altitude

Answer 1

the height or elevation of an area above sea level

Question 2

define baromatric pressure

Answer 2

the pressure exerted by the Earth’s atmosphere at any given point

Question 3

when altitude increases what happens to barometric pressure?

Answer 3

it decreases

Question 4

at higher altitudes the partial pressure of O2…..

Answer 4

decreases

Question 5

the greater the diffusion gradient….

Answer 5

the faster oxygen will move from one area to another

Question 6

the greater the altitude the greater the neagtive impact on….

Answer 6

the diffusion gradient

Question 7

at sea level the partial pressure of oxygen is…

Answer 7

159 mmHg

Question 8

at 3600m above sea level the partial pressure of oxygen is…

Answer 8

105 mmHg

Question 9

at 8800m above sea level the partial pressure of oxygen is…

Answer 9

43 mmHg

Question 10

at sea level the diffusion gradient to capillary blood is…

Answer 10

119

Question 11

at 3600m above sea level the diffusion gradient to capillary blood is…

Answer 11

65

Question 12

at 8800m above sea level the diffusion gradient to capillary blood is…

Answer 12

3

Question 13

if an athlete competes at a high altitude what happens to the rate of oxygen diffusion?

Answer 13

it decreases, reducing haemoglobin saturation and resulting in poor transport of oxygen

Question 14

what happens as a result of a decreased diffusion gradient, reduced haemoglobin saturation and poor O2 transport?

Answer 14

1. blood plasma volume decreases by 25%
2. SV decreases, which increases HR
3. max cardiac output, HR and SV decrease during max exercise

Question 15

what is the impact of training in high altitude on aerobic capacity and VO2 max?

Answer 15

causes a reduction in aerobic capacity and Vo2 max

Question 16

define acclimatisation…

Answer 16

a process of gradual adaption to a change in environment

Question 17

define erythropoetin..

Answer 17

naturally produced hormone responsible for producing red blood cells

Question 18

at what height does altitude start to have an effect?

Answer 18

1500m

Question 19

how many days does it take to acclimatise for low altitude (1000-2000m) performnace?

Answer 19

3-5 days

Question 20

how long does it take to acclimatise for moderate altitude performance (2000-3000m) ?

Answer 20

1-2 weeks

Question 21

how long does it take to acclimatise for high altitude performance (3000m+) ?

Answer 21

2+ weeks

Question 22

how long does it take to acclimatise to extreme altitude performnace (5000-5500m) ?

Answer 22

4+ weeks

Question 23

the acclimatisation benefits on the cardiovascular system are:

Answer 23

1. increased red blood cell production
2. reduction of SV and cardiac output as O2 extraction becomes more efficient

Question 24

the acclimatisation benefits on the respiratory system are:

Answer 24

stablisation of breathing rate and minute ventilation
(although they may remain more elevated at rest than when at sea level)

Question 25

define thermoregulation

Answer 25

the process of maintaining internal core tempertaure

Question 26

what senses a change in body tempertaure?

Answer 26

thermoreceptors deep in the core

Question 27

how much sweat can an athlete lose when exercising in the heat per hour?

Answer 27

2-3 litres

Question 28

what does loss of sweat cause?

Answer 28

a decrease in blood volume and dehydration

Question 29

heat loss through sweating is caused by...

Answer 29

humidity

Question 30

define dehydration

Answer 30

loss of water from body tissues, largely caused by sweating

Question 31

define humidity

Answer 31

the amount of water vapour in atmospheric air

Question 32

define hyperthermia

Answer 32

significantly raised body tempertaure

Question 33

what 3 things cause hyperthermia?

Answer 33

1. high and prolonged excercise intensities 2. high air tempertaures 3. high relative humidity

Question 34

during prolonged exercise in the heat a rise in body temperature can cause..

Answer 34

cardiovascular drift

Question 35

cardiovascular drift is..

Answer 35

an upward drift in heart rate associated with a rise in body temperature

Question 36

what are 3 effects of heat and humidty on the cardiovascular system?

Answer 36

1. dilation of artieroles and capillaries to the skin 2. decreased blood volume 3. decresed venous return 4. decresed SV and cardiac output 5. decreased blood pressure

Question 37

when heat and humidity causes the dilation of arterioles and capillaries to the skin, what effect does this have on the athlete?

Answer 37

increased blood flow increased blood pooling in the limbs

Question 38

when heat and humidity causes decreased blood volume, venous return, SV, cardiac output and blood pressure, what effect does this have on the athlete?

Answer 38

inreased HR to compensate increased strain on the cardiovascular system reduced O2 transport to working muscles

Question 39

what effect does heat and humidity have on the respiratory system?

Answer 39

1. dehydration and drying out of airways in tempertaures above 32 degrees make breathing hard 2. increased breathing frequency to maintain oxygen consumption 3. high levels of sunlight increase the effects of pollutants in the air

Question 40

when heat and humidity causes dehydration and drying out of airways what effect does this have on the athlete?

Answer 40

increased mucus production constriction of the airways decreased volume of air for gaseous exchange

Question 41

when heat and humidity causes breathing frequency to increase what effect does this have on the athlete?

Answer 41

increased oxygen 'cost' of excercise

Question 42

when heat and humidity increases the effects of pollutants in the air, what effect does this have on the athlete?

Answer 42

increased irritation of airways, leading to coughing, wheezing or asthma symptoms

Question 43

how do you maximise performance in the heat pre-competition? (2 methods)

Answer 43

7 - 14 days acclimatisation use cooling aids e.g. ice vests

Question 44

how do you maximise performance in the heat during competition?

Answer 44

pacing strategies wearing sutable clothing to maximise heat loss rehydration with hypotonic or isotonic solution

Question 45

how do you maximise performance in the heat post competition?

Answer 45

use cooling aids e.g. fans rehydrating using isotonic solutions