Respiration During Exercise Flashcards
Function of Respiratory System
Exchange gasses between external environment and body
- Replacing O2
- Removing CO2
- Regulation of acid-base balance
Ventilation
Mechanical process of moving air into and out of lungs
Perfusion
Blood flow to the lungs
Diffusion
- Random movement of molecules
- High concentration → lower concentration
4 Stages of Respiration
- Pulmonary ventilation (breathing)
► Movement of air in and out of lung - Pulmonary diffusion
►O2 ↔ CO2 between lungs and blood
►Occurs at the level of the alveoli - Transport of O2 and CO2 in blood
►Hemoglobin and plasma - Gas exchange in tissues
►Cellular exchange of O2 and CO2
- 1 is EXTERNAL
- 2 – 4 are INTERNAL
Upper vs Lower respiratory tract (Structurally different)
Upper respiratory system contains the nose, pharynx, and
associated structures
The lower respiratory system consists of larynx, trachea, bronchi,
and lungs
Upper vs Lower respiratory tract (Functionally different)
Upper respiratory system will filter, warm, and moisten air and
conduct it into the lungs
The lower respiratory system is where gas exchange occurs
between air and blood
The Lung and Pulmonary Diffusion (Structure)
Located above diaphragm, enclosed by pleural membranes
- Visceral
- Parietal
- Intermembrane space
The Lung and Pulmonary Diffusion (Pressure)
Intrapleural pressure is less than atmospheric pressure
- ↓ further below atmospheric by contraction of diaphragm
- ↑ above atmospheric by relaxation of diaphragm
- These pressure changes drive “bulk flow”
Bulk Flow
Mass movement of molecules from an area of high pressure to an area of lower pressure
The movement of molecules due to pressure differences between two ends of a passageway
Atmospheric pressure is:
760 mmHG
- Reduced at high altitude (everest expeditions)
The conducting zone
which includes everything from the nose to the smallest
bronchioles, moves air into and out of the lungs (Heat, Humidify and Filter.)
The respiratory zone
includes the respiratory bronchioles and alveoli and moves the
respiratory gasses, that is oxygen and carbon dioxide, in and out of the blood
(Macrophages.)
Bronchial Tree (Defined, functions)
The collective term used for these
multiple-branched bronchi
- The main function of the bronchi, like other conducting zone structures, is to provide a passageway for air to move into and out of each lung
- In addition, the mucous membrane traps debris and pathogens
Alveolar Gas Exchange
Pulmonary capillaries form baskets around alveoli
occurs through a process called diffusion, which is the movement of gases from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In the lungs, oxygen-rich air is breathed in and fills the alveoli, which have a high concentration of oxygen. At the same time, carbon dioxide-rich blood from the body flows into the capillaries surrounding the alveoli, which have a high concentration of carbon dioxide. Oxygen and carbon dioxide then diffuse across the thin walls of the alveoli and capillaries, allowing for the exchange of gases between the air and blood. The oxygen then binds to red blood cells, which transport it to the body’s tissues, while the carbon dioxide is carried back to the lungs and exhaled.
Structure optimizes deoxygenated → oxygenated
Alveoli and Respiratory Membrane (What are they and how they connect)
- Capillaries form dense network around each alveolus
- Blood gasses must cross “respiratory membrane”
- Barrier that is 1 cell thick to minimize resistance
Alevoli
Microscopic air sacs located in the lung where gas exchange occurs between respiratory gasses and the blood
Respiration
External respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the environment; internal respiration describes the use of oxygen by the cell (Mitochondria)
Type II Alveolar Cells
- Generate surfactant
- ↓ Surface tension of alveolar bubbles
- Greatly facilitates pulmonary diffusion
- By ↓ resistance to incoming air
Inspiration
- When intrapulmonary pressure < atmospheric
- Due to respiratory muscles contraction
- Decreases intrapleural pressure
- Allows lungs to expand with incoming air
- Active process (diaphragm needs to contract)
Expiration
- When intrapulmonary pressure > atmospheric
- Due to respiratory muscles relaxation (recoil)
- Increases intrapleural pressure
- Expels air from lungs into atmosphere
- Mostly passive process (except for ↑ VE)
Diaphragm
Diaphragm is a very thin and dome shaped skeletal muscle
- Continuously active though lifespan upon birth
Attached to bottom of rib cage; innervated by phrenic nerve
- FLATTENED when it contracts; DOMED when it relaxes
- Does most ventilatory work at rest
Accessory Muscles during exercise that contribute
- External intercostals
- Pectoralis minor
- Scalenes
- Sternocleidomastoid
^(All help diaphragm to decrease intrapulmonary pressure)^
Muscles during expiration (Exercise)
Expiration is passive at rest but active during exercise
- Rectus abdominis
- Internal oblique
^(Draws ribs inward and downward to increase pressure)^
What is the O2 cost of ventilation?
Rest < 1%
Submaximal exercise 1 - 2%
Maximal exercise 5 - 10%
Supramaximal exercise 10 - 15%
Do respiratory muscles fatigue during exercise?
Historically believed that respiratory muscles do not fatigue
Current evidence suggests that respiratory muscles do fatigue
During prolonged exercise (>120 minutes) | During high-intensity exercise (90 – 100%
VO2 max)
Do respiratory muscles adapt to training?
YES
- Increased oxidative capacity of diaphragm fibers
- Increased fatigue resistance
- Upper airway more relaxed?
- Reduced work of breathing
Pulmonary Ventilation
The amount of air moved in or out of the lungs (VE)
- Per minute (L min-1)
- VE = VT x f
- Resting and exercise volumes
Tidal Volume (VT)
- Amount of air moved per breath
Breathing frequency (f)
of breaths per minutes
Typical VE at rest:
~ 7.5 L min-1
- 0.5 L min-1 x 15 breaths min-1
Typical VE during maximal exercise:
~ 120 L min-1
- 2.0 L min-1 x 60 breaths min-1
Components of PV (3 names plus defined)
Pulmonary ventilation
- The sum of VA + VD
Alveolar ventilation (VA)
- Volume of air that reaches the respiratory zone
Dead-space ventilation (VD)
- Volume of air not participating in gas exchange
- it is air remaining in conduction zone
- Does not reach alveolus
- Due to anatomical “dead space”