General Adaptation Syndrome Flashcards
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome?
It helps explain how biological systems such as our body respond to stressors.
What two principles does GAS account for?
- Homeostasis.
- Allostasis.
What are the three phases of short-term responses?
- Alarm.
- Resistance.
- Exhaustion.
Describe the ‘alarm’ phase of a short-term response.
- The stressor is present.
- The body is managing to cope but the immune system begins to weaken.
Describe the ‘resistance’ phase of a short-term response.
- The body is working in overdrive causing a depressed immune system.
- This increases the chance of illness or injury.
Describe the ‘exhaustion’ phase of a short-term response.
- The body breaks down and can no longer take the neglect.
- This results in illness or injury.
Outline the phases that result in neither a positive nor negative long-term adaptation and describe why this occurs.
- stress > fatigue > recovery > supercompensation > return to baseline
- If the interval between loading bouts is too long or the load is not adequately progressed net adaptation will not occur.
Outline the phases that result in a negative long-term adaptation and describe why this occurs.
- stress > fatigue > incomplete recovery > no super-compensation > further stress > chronic decline > injury
- This occurs as there is an incomplete recovery followed by the re-application of further stress, resulting in a chronic decline.
Outline the phases that result in a positive long-term adaptation and describe why this occurs.
- stress > fatigue > recovery > super-compensation > return to baseline > progressive stress > chronic improvements
- Because progressive stress is applied after an appropriate recovery period this results in chronic improvement overtime.
What is the definition of acute responses?
- Immediate changes in cells, tissue + systems.
- During or immediately following a single exercise bout.
What is an example of an acute response?
Depletion of ATP.
What is the definition of chronic adaptation?
- Adjustments to repeated exposure to a stimulus result in longer-lasting + systematic changes.
- This influences acute responses + performance over time.
What is an example of a chronic adaptation?
Skeletal muscle hypertrophy
What is Progressive overload?
- Continued application of a training stimulus overtime.
- To an intensity not yet adapted to.