Chronic Responses to Exercise

Question 1

Cardiac Hypertrophy

Answer 1

Like any muscle in the human body, regular training will increase the size of the heart (hypertrophy = enlargement of)

Question 2

Heart Rate at Rest (Lowered)

Answer 2

Training individuals have a lower resting and submaximal heart rate. This is due to cardiac hypertrophy.

Question 3

Stroke Volume (Increased)

Answer 3

Due to cardiac hypertrophy, the heart can pump more blood in each beat. Venous return also increases.

Question 4

Blood Pressure at Rest (Decreased)

Answer 4

Systolic blood pressure will decrease only if resting pressure is relatively high before.

Question 5

Blood Volume/ Haemoglobin (Increased)

Answer 5

Following regular training, blood volume can increase by 20-25%. (5L -> 6/7L). Haemoglobin content also increases.

Question 6

V02 Max (Increased)

Answer 6

V02 Max increased by 5-25% with training, due to the increased ability to transport and exchange oxygen.

Question 7

Capillarisation (Increased)

Answer 7

The number of capillaries increases. This increases surface area for gas exchange.

Question 8

Respiratory Rate (Resting)

Answer 8

Due to increased breathing efficiency, athletes don’t need to take as many breaths.

Question 9

Oxygen Exchange (Increased)

Answer 9

Exchange of oxygen and C02 increases at both the lungs and in muscle fibres/tissues.

Question 10

Tidal Volume at Rest (Increased)

Answer 10

The diaphragm and intercostals improve through training. This means breathing becomes more efficient and more air in each breath.