Training Prescription For Aerobic Adaption

Question 1

Why does acidosis as a result of high intensity exercise cause an athlete to slow down?

Answer 1

Lactate production causes a proton to be released which decreases pH

Decrease in pH inhibits PFK which is a rate limiting enzyme of glycolysis

Decrease in pH inhibits calcium release which affects muscle contractions.

Question 2

Blood volume can increase following steady intensity long distance endurance training.
What are the mechanisms that cause an increase in maximal cardiac output following this increase in blood volume?

Answer 2

Increase in blood volume results in an increase in end diastolic volume

An increase in EDV results in an increase in stroke volume

Therefore since heart rate max will not have changed, maximum cardiac output will increase as Qmax=SV x HRmax