Exercise Physiology

The Heart

Oxygen rich blood is pumped out of the heart to the muscles and organs via artery’s (red areas)

De-oxygenated blood is returned to the heart via veins (blue areas)

Artery’s have plenty of pressure on them from the heart contracting to force the blood away from the heart. Think of a bottle of tomato sauce being squeezed.

Veins however are not under any pressure. To stop the blood going backwards veins have valves.

The Lungs

Think of the lungs as being like a tree. You start with the trunk (Trachea), moving down the main branches (bronchus), through to the individual twigs (bronchiole) and finally at the end you have the leaves (alveoli).

The heart and lungs are connected to supply the body with oxygen rich blood and work together to take away and get rid of carbon dioxide.

This happens at the capillary networks that cover the alveoli and muscle cells.

Linking together..

Stroke volume (SV) is the amount of blood ejected by the heart per beatIt is measured in litres (L)

Cardiac Output (Q) is the amount of blood ejected by the heart per minuteIt is measured in litres per minute (L/min)

We can calculate Q via an equation Q = SV x HR

Stroke Volume & Cardiac Output

Systolic = the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries when the heart contractsDiastolic = the pressure on the walls of the arteries as the heart relaxes (fills)

Normal BP tends to be around:120/80 mmHg.

Why is BP taken on the arm??

Blood Pressure

Physiological responses to

exercise

Assess the following before and immediately after exercise:Heart RateBody temperatureBreathing rateChest MovementSkin ColourPerspiration

Try it yourself…