Physiology: Long term responses to exercise Flashcards
Define the term tidal volume
The amount of air inspired and expired per breath
Define the term inspiratory reserve volume
The maximum amount of air that can be breathed in
Define the term expiratory reserve volume
The maximum amount of air that can breathed out
Define the term vital capacity
The maximum amount of air that can be breathed out after maximal inhalation
Outline the relationship between inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and vital capacity (VC)
IRV + ERV = VC
Define the term residual volume
The amount of air left in the lungs after maximal exhalation
What happens to tidal volume during exercise?
It increases
What happens to inspiratory reserve volume during exercise?
It decreases
Define the term minute ventilation
The amount of air breathed in and out per minute
Define the term respiratory frequency
The number of breaths taken per minute
Outline the relationship between tidal volume, minute ventilation and respiratory frequency
Tidal volume x respiratory frequency = minute ventilation
Explain the term anticipatory rise
Increase in heart rate prior to exercise caused by adrenaline
What does the term steady state mean
When the performer is providing sufficient oxygen to the working muscles to resynthesise ATP aerobically
Is steady state reached sooner or later when working at high intensity?
Later
Is steady state reached sooner or later when working at low intensity?
Sooner
Would a trained performer reach steady state sooner or later than an untrained performer?
Sooner
What does PO2 stand for?
Partial pressure of oxygen
What does PCO2 stand for?
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
Gaseous exchange at the lungs: Where is there a high PO2?
In the alveoli
Gaseous exchange at the lungs: Where is there a low PO2?
In the capillary
Gaseous exchange at the lungs: Where does oxygen move from and where does it move into?
From the alveoli to the capillary
What does diffusion mean?
Moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Gaseous exchange at the lungs: Where is there a high PCO2?
In the capillary
Gaseous exchange at the lungs: Where is there a low PCO2?
In the alveoli
Gaseous exchange at the lungs: Where does carbon dioxide diffuse from and to?
Diffuses from the capillary to the alveoli
Gaseous exchange at the muscle: Where is there a high PO2?
In the capillary
Gaseous exchange at the muscle: Where is there a low PO2?
In the muscle
Gaseous exchange at the muscle: Where does oxygen diffuse from and into
From the capillary to the muscle
Gaseous exchange at the muscle: Where is there a high PCO2?
In the muscle
Gaseous exchange at the muscle: Where is there a low PCO2?
In the capillary
Gaseous exchange at the muscle: Where does carbon dioxide diffuse from and into?
From the muscle into the capillary
Outline the functions of myoglobin
Stores O2
Found in the muscle
High affinity for oxygen
Is more or less oxygen exhaled during exercise? Why?
Less
Because more is being used by the muscles
Is more or less carbon dioxide exhaled during exercise? Why?
More
Because the muscles are producing more as a waste product
Identify 3 features that assist gaseous exchange at the lungs
One cell thick walls
Large surface area
Narrow diameter
Give 3 reasons why aerobic training improves the ability to transport oxygen
Increase % of alveoli used
Increased production of red blood cells
Increase myoglobin content in the muscle
Where are nerve impulses sent to by receptors to control breathing rate?
Respiratory control centre in the medulla
Where does the respiratory control centre send nerve impulses to control breathing rate?
The intercostal muscles and diaphragm
Describe the role of the sympathetic nervous system
To allow the performer to recover after exercise
What effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on heart rate
Increases it
What effect does the parasympathetic nervous system have on heart rate?
Decreases it
Define the term VO2 Max
The maximum amount of oxygen utilised by the body per minute
Define the term lactate threshold
The point at which more lactic acid is produced than removed
What does OBLA stand for?
Onset Blood Lactate Accumulation
Define the term OBLA
The point at which lactic acid builds up in the blood and fatigue sets in
Lactate threshold is a _____________ of VO2 Max
Percentage
As VO2 Max increases, lactate threshold _________
Increases
As VO2 Max increase, OBLA is _____________
Delayed
Identify 3 adaptations to aerobic exercise
Cardiac hypertrophy
Increased percentage of alveoli used
Increased myoglobin content in the muscle
Increased mitochondrial density
Increased triglyceride stores
How does cardiac hypertrophy benefit aerobic performance?
The performer has an increased stroke volume, increasing oxygen delivery
Why does an increased % of alveoli usage improve aerobic performance?
There are more sites for diffusion in the lungs
Why does increased myoglobin content benefit aerobic performance?
Allows the muscle to extract more O2 from the bloodstream
How does an increased mitochondrial density benefit aerobic performance?
Allows the performer to resynthesise more ATP
Why do increased triglyceride stores benefit aerobic performance?
Can be broken down to provide an aerobic energy source
Why does hypertrophy of type 2b muscle fibres benefit anaerobic exercise?
They become thicker in diameter, which increases force of contraction
Why does increased recruitment of motor units benefit anaerobic exercise?
Increases the overall force of contraction
Why do increased stores of PC benefit anaerobic performance?
Allow the performer to use the ATP-PC system for longer
