Exercise physiology Flashcards
Define hypoxia
Deficiency in amount of oxygen reaching tissues
Define hypoxaemia
Abnormally low concentration of oxygen in blood
What is the aim of the respiratory system during exercise
Aim is to get more oxygen in & get rid of excess CO2
Increase respiratory rate
Increase tidal volume
Explain respiratory-locomotory coupling
Piston – during stance phase of forelimbs, abdominal contents press on diaphragm, aiding expiration, scapula pressed into chest, compressing rib cage
Pendulum – forward movement of scapula draws rib cage forward & outward, expanding thoracic cavity & aiding inspiration
Describe equine ventilation during exercise
Up to 1800 litres of air in & out per min
At walk, trot & slow canter horses can increase breathing rate
At slow/medium canter, horses can increase breathing rate & depth of breathing
At gallop, horses can increase depth of breathing only
What is the relevance of blood gas barrier during exercise
Exercise & training can reduce/thin blood gas barrier to improve efficiency of transfer
Blood gas barrier is thicker in less athletic species/breeds
Barrier gets thinner at altitude
Describe the aim of cardiovascular system during exercise
Aim is to increase blood flow to limbs (exercising muscle)
Increase cardiac output
Increase oxygen carried in blood
Release of RBC’s from spleen increases oxygen carriage
Training can increase PCV
Redistribute blood flow
Role of spleen during exercise
Spleen as proportion to body weight – high in horse
Animal athletes better at releasing splenic Hb
Drugs used to develop anaemia in people used for blood doping
Erythropoeitin
What is laryngeal hemiplegia
Partial paralysis of larynx
Inadequate gas exchange
Decreases airflow to lungs & causes exercise intolerance
What is dorsal displacement of soft palate
Loud expiratory gurgling noise
Reduces VO2 max
