Year 2 - Environmental Effects On The Body

Question 1

As altitude increases, what happens to the barometric pressure?

Answer 1

It decreases from 760 mmHg at sea level to 253 mmHg at the summit of Everest

Question 2

As barometric pressure decreases, what happens to the partial pressure of oxygen?

Answer 2

It decreases from 159 mmHg at sea level to 43 mmHg at the summit of Everest

Question 3

Why is it harder to breathe at altitude?

Answer 3

Partial pressure of oxygen decreases, as does the diffusion gradient

Question 4

What are some of the acute effects of being at altitude?

Answer 4

• breathing frequency increases at rest and during exercise
• blood volume decreases
• stroke volume decreases (HR increases to compensate)
• Q, SV and HR decrease during maximal intensity exercise

Question 5

From what height does altitude begin to effect performance?

• 1,000m
• 1,500m
• 2,000m

Answer 5

Altitudes of 1,500m and above impact on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Question 6

With VO2 max decreasing with altitude, which energy system(s) will take predominance?

Answer 6

Anaerobic energy systems, this leads to increased lactic acid levels and faster fatigue

Question 7

What impact will high altitude have on throwing and jumping events?

Answer 7

Aerodynamic drag and air resistance is decreased leading to longer distance being attained

Question 8

Which events will be affected by altitude?
Events under 1 minute
Events over 1 minute

Answer 8

Events over 1 minute

Question 9

What are the benefits of acclimatisation to altitude?

Answer 9

1. Release of EPO increasing RBC production
2. Breathing and ventilation rates stabilise
3. SV and Q reduce as oxygen extraction becomes more efficient
4. Reduced altitude sickness

Question 10

At what height is considered to be altitude

Answer 10

1,500m

Question 11

Define thermoregulation

Answer 11

Process of maintaining internal core temperature

Question 12

What is the job of thermoreceptors?

Answer 12

Relay changes in temperature to the brain

Question 13

How much sweat can an athlete lose when exercising in heat?
1-2 litres
2-3 litres
3-4 litres

Answer 13

2-3 litres

Question 14

What impact would high humidity have on sweating?

Answer 14

Decreases sweating……low humidity would increase sweating

Question 15

Name one of the three key causes of increased core body temperature

Answer 15

1. High and prolonged exercise intensities
2. High air temperature
3. High relative humidity

Question 16

Define cardiovascular drift

Answer 16

Upward drift in heart rate during sustained steady-state activity associated with an increase in body temperature

Question 17

How many beats per minute does the HR increase by for a 1 degree increase in core body temperature?

Answer 17

10bpm

Question 18

What steps could an athlete take pre competition to negate the effects of the heat and humidity?

Answer 18

• acclimatisation to the heat
• use cooling aids
• hydrate

Question 19

What steps could an athlete take during competition to negate the effects of the heat and humidity?

Answer 19

• rehydrate
• use pacing strategies to reduce intensity
• wear suitable clothing