Physiological Adaptations to Regular Exercise

Physiological Adjustments to Regular Physical Exercise

Cardiovascular System Adaptations

• Increased coronary flow, capillary permeability, and capillary density.

Adaptive Responses of Blood Pressure to Exercise

• Increased blood pressure during exercise and decreased resting blood pressure.

Adaptations in the Respiratory System to Exercise

• Increased frequency and depth of respiration.

Blood Flow Distribution During Exercise

• Increased blood flow in active muscles at the expense of inactive organs.

Cardiac Adaptations: Concentric Hypertrophy

• Corresponds to concentric hypertrophy of the heart, often induced by strength training.

Functions of Respiratory System Adaptations

• To meet O2 demands, eliminate excess CO2, and regulate pH.

Cardiac Output Responses to Exercise

• Trained subjects can reach levels of 200-215 (unit unclear, likely L/min during maximal exercise), while both trained and sedentary subjects typically have resting values around 6 L/min.

Respiratory Rate Considerations

• Resting respiratory rate values are not significantly different between trained and sedentary subjects, typically around 12-17 breaths/min.

Understanding the Ventilatory Threshold

• The point on the curve where ventilatory volume (V) increases disproportionately to oxygen consumption (VO2) during incremental exercise.

Insights into the Work of Breathing

• At rest, the energy expenditure of the respiratory system corresponds to 3-4% of total energy expenditure.
• During exercise, this energy expenditure increases to 10-30%.
• Respiratory equivalent is a variable used to assess the work of breathing and energy efficiency.

Key Aspects of Lipid Metabolism

• Lipid metabolism involves the degradation of fats to preserve muscle glycogen and blood glucose.

Heart Rate Behavior During Exercise

• Heart rate (FC) behavior increases in relation to exercise intensity.

Factors Affecting Gas Exchange

• Alveolar-capillary membrane thickness.
• Surface area for gas exchange (alveolar and capillary).
• Concentration gradient of gases.
• Diffusion coefficient of gases (which is constant for a given gas).

Hemoglobin Saturation Curve Adjustments

• The curve shifts to the right when pH decreases (Bohr effect).

Lipid Transport Mechanisms in the Body

• Chylomicrons and lipoproteins.

Ketone Body Formation Originates From

• Free fatty acids.

Hydrodynamic Mechanisms During Exercise

• During exercise, the muscle pump, sympathetic stimulation, and increased intrathoracic pressure (suction) enhance venous return.

Factors Increasing Cardiac Output

• Increased venous return.

Athlete's Heart Syndrome Characteristics

• Systolic volume increases.

Muscle Lipid Oxidation and Activation

• Once activated, acyl-CoA enters the mitochondria for oxidation.