General Adaptation Syndrome

Question 1

What is the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 1

It helps explain how biological systems such as our body respond to stressors.

Question 2

What two principles does GAS account for?

Answer 2

1. Homeostasis.
2. Allostasis.

Question 3

What are the three phases of short-term responses?

Answer 3

1. Alarm.
2. Resistance.
3. Exhaustion.

Question 4

Describe the ‘alarm’ phase of a short-term response.

Answer 4

• The stressor is present.
• The body is managing to cope but the immune system begins to weaken.

Question 5

Describe the ‘resistance’ phase of a short-term response.

Answer 5

• The body is working in overdrive causing a depressed immune system.
• This increases the chance of illness or injury.

Question 6

Describe the ‘exhaustion’ phase of a short-term response.

Answer 6

• The body breaks down and can no longer take the neglect.
• This results in illness or injury.

Question 7

Outline the phases that result in neither a positive nor negative long-term adaptation and describe why this occurs.

Answer 7

1. stress > fatigue > recovery > supercompensation > return to baseline
2. If the interval between loading bouts is too long or the load is not adequately progressed net adaptation will not occur.

Question 8

Outline the phases that result in a negative long-term adaptation and describe why this occurs.

Answer 8

1. stress > fatigue > incomplete recovery > no super-compensation > further stress > chronic decline > injury
2. This occurs as there is an incomplete recovery followed by the re-application of further stress, resulting in a chronic decline.

Question 9

Outline the phases that result in a positive long-term adaptation and describe why this occurs.

Answer 9

1. stress > fatigue > recovery > super-compensation > return to baseline > progressive stress > chronic improvements
2. Because progressive stress is applied after an appropriate recovery period this results in chronic improvement overtime.

Question 10

What is the definition of acute responses?

Answer 10

• Immediate changes in cells, tissue + systems.
• During or immediately following a single exercise bout.

Question 11

What is an example of an acute response?

Answer 11

Depletion of ATP.

Question 12

What is the definition of chronic adaptation?

Answer 12

• Adjustments to repeated exposure to a stimulus result in longer-lasting + systematic changes.
• This influences acute responses + performance over time.

Question 13

What is an example of a chronic adaptation?

Answer 13

Skeletal muscle hypertrophy

Question 14

What is Progressive overload?

Answer 14

• Continued application of a training stimulus overtime.
• To an intensity not yet adapted to.