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Mechanisms responsible for the acute responses to exercise in the respiratory system.

Mechanisms: What are causing the changes?

STRUCTURES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Main Functions of the Respiratory System


1. The delivery of O2 and removal of CO2 from the cells of the body. 2. When we begin to exercise, (use our muscles), receptors found in the working muscles, send messages to the respiratory centre of the brain, to stimulate ventilation (how much air is breathed in or out in 1 minute). 3. Ventilation increases by the depth of breath (tidal volume) and the frequency of breath (Respiratory Rate). 4. The increase in O2 as a result of increased Ventilation is then transported to the muscles for energy creation.

BREATHING

VO2 MAX

INSPIRATION

Diffusion

EXPIRATION

Ventilation

Respiratory Rate

Tidal Volume

Breathing
the mechanical process that moves air in and out of the lungs. Also known as Respiration Respiration increases proportionately to the intensity of the exercise.

INSPIRATION
breathing in (also known as inhalation)
is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli. Inspiration begins with the onset of contraction of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which results in an increase space inside the thoracic cavity. The increased space inside the thoracic cavity results in less pressure inside the lungs. The lower pressure inside the lungs compared with the atmospheric pressure, causes airflow to move into the lungs.

Expiration: breathing out (also known as exhalation) the movement of air out of the alveoli, bronchial tubes, through the trachea, to the external environment. Expiration begins with the relaxation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which decreases the size of thoracic cavity. The decreased space inside the thoracic cavity, results in a increase in positive pressure. This positive pressure causes airflow to move out of the lungs. The pressure inside the lungs is greater than the atmospheric pressure, causing air to flow outward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWJHSTAWTCk &feature=related

TIDAL VOLUME (TV): the amount of air


inspired or expired per breath TV is measured in litres/breath (L/breath) During exercise Tidal Volume will increase directly with the exercise intensity.

RESPIRATION RATE (RR): the number of


breaths taken in one minute There is a direct correlation between exercise intensity and RR; i.e. the more intense the exercise, the faster the RR

VENTILATION (V): the amount of air breathed



in or out of the lungs in 1 minute Measured in litres/minute V = TV x RR Ventilation rates vary from person to person, depending upon body size and gender At rest, Ventilation can range from 4-15 litres/minute. During exercise this figure can increase up to 30 times that of resting figures.

VENTILATION (V) AT SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE INTENSITIES:


During sub-maximal exercise intensities, ventilation increases rapidly at the start of the exercise and then gradually plateaus (Steady State). This takes approximately 3-5 min to occur.

During light to moderate exercise, the relationship between ventilation and O2 consumption is linear At low exercise intensities, TV & RR increase proportionately to Ventilation.

VENTILATION (V) AT MAXIMAL EXERCISE INTENSITIES:


During maximal intensity exercise, ventilation will continue to increase until exercise ceases. Tidal Volume plateaus during high intensity exercise; further increases in ventilation are a direct result of increased RR. At progressively higher exercise intensities, Ventilation is no longer directly proportional to O2 consumption i.e. Ventilation cannot deliver sufficient amounts of O2 to meet the energy demands of the working muscle.

MECHANISMS RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASED VENITLATION Initial increases in ventilation are a result of NEURAL STIMULATION controlled by the respiratory control centre in the brain. As exercise progresses, further increases in ventilation are controlled primarily by changes in the chemical status of arterial blood. Higher levels of CO2 and Hydrogen ions are produced within the working muscles (metabolism of muscles) during exercise and then released into the blood. Higher levels of CO2 and Hydrogen ions are then sensed by CHEMORECPTORS located in the brain and lungs. The activated chemoreceptor's in turn stimulate the respiratory control centre's, resulting in increases in TV and RR; i.e. increased ventilation

DIFFUSION: An exchange of gases from an area of


high pressure to an area of low pressure Gas exchange (O2 and CO2) occurs in the lungs at the alveolar-capillary interface and also at the muscle tissue-capillary interface via DIFFUSION.

GAS EXCHANGE IN THE LUNGS


Within the lungs, O2 concentration levels are high inside the alveoli and low inside the capillaries. Because of the difference in O2 levels between the 2 structures, O2 flows from high to low pressure levels i.e. from the alveoli into the capillaries. Similarly, CO2 levels inside the capillaries surrounding the lungs is high and low inside the alveoli. The CO2 diffuses from the capillaries to the alveoli-high to low

Diffusion cont...
GAS EXCHANGE AT THE MUSCLE SITE

At the working muscle site, O2 concentration levels are low inside the muscle and high within the capillaries (blood) that surround the muscle Because of the difference in O2 levels between the 2 structures, O2 flows from an area of high to low pressure levels i.e. O2 flows from the capillaries into the muscle for energy production. Similarly, CO2 levels inside the capillaries surrounding the muscle is low but high inside the muscle (CO2 is a bi-product of energy production). The CO2 therefore diffuses from the muscle to the capillary high to low
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu_ONM3Bj9A

Gas exchange during respiration

Movement of a gas in one direction is the effect of a concentration gradient Direction of diffusion occurs from areas of high to low concentration Rate of diffusion is dependant on pressure

Diffusion cont Diffusion Rate During Exercise


During exercise the diffusion capacity increases due to: 1. Increased surface area of the alveoli 2. Increased surface area of the muscle tissue The increased surface area of both surface areas, enables greater amounts of 02 and CO2 to be exchanged at the 2 sites (alveoli and muscle sites)

INCREASED OXYGEN UPTAKE VO2 = Oxygen Uptake VO2 refers to the amount of O2 transported to, taken up by and used by the body for energy production During exercise the working muscles use more O2, which is made available by the Cardio-respiratory System. There is a LINEAR relationship between VO2 and exercise intensity. As exercise intensity Increases so does VO2. This relationship continues Until a maximum level of O2 Uptake is attained. This is Known as MAXIMUM OXYGEN UPTAKE VO2 max

MAXIMUM OXYGEN UPTAKE VO2 max VO2 max = the maximum amount of O2 able to be taken up, transported to and used by the body for energy production Average male: 3.5 L/min Average female: 2.3L/min The maximum value is dependent upon: 1. Body size 2. Gender 3. Genetics 4. Age 5. Cardio-respiratory fitness levels

FACTORS AFFECTING MAXIMUM OXYGEN UPTAKE (VO2 max)

BODY SIZE
Larger heavier people require more O2 than smaller people. VO2 max is usually expressed relative to body size in mL/kg/min This enables direct comparisons of VO2 max between individuals of varying body size

FACTORS AFFECTING MAXIMUM OXYGEN UPTAKE (VO2 max)

GENDER
Men generally have higher VO2 max levels because: 1. Males typically have more muscle and less body fat. Body fat does not consume O2 unlike muscle tissue. 2. Males have higher blood volumes and greater levels of RBC therefore able to carry more O2 to working muscles. 3. Males have a larger lung size and volume and larger heart size and volume thereby increasing O2 uptake and transporting capacities.

FACTORS AFFECTING MAXIMUM OXYGEN UPTAKE (VO2 max)

GENETICS
1. Aerobic capacity is significantly determined by genetics 2. Up to 25-50% variation can occur between individuals 3. Aerobic training can significantly improve these figures

FACTORS AFFECTING MAXIMUM OXYGEN UPTAKE (VO2 max)

AGE
1. VO2 max generally peaks between late teenage years mid 20s 2. VO2 Max declines about 1% per year after 25 years of age. 3. Regular aerobic training can reduce the rate of VO2 max decline with aging 4. Decline in VO2 max as a result of age is attributed to reductions in max HR, max SV and Max a-VO2 difference.

FACTORS AFFECTING MAXIMUM OXYGEN UPTAKE (VO2 max)

Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Levels


1. Irrespective of gender or initial fitness levels, Cardio-Respiratory Fitness levels can be significantly improved with regular aerobic fitness training.

OXYGEN DEFICIT

OXYGEN DEFICIT
During the transition from rest to exercise, immediate energy for muscle contraction is required. The Cardio-respiratory system, is unable to deliver sufficient amounts of O2 to the working muscles in the first few minutes of exercise. The discrepancy between the amount of O2 supplied to the muscles and the amount of O2 required by the muscles is known as OXYGEN DEFICIT. O2 deficit occurs any time there is an increase in exercise intensity. O2 Deficit occurs because of the TIME it takes for the CR systems to deliver the extra supply of O2 to the working muscles; i.e. it takes time to increase, TV, SV, Q, RR etc

STEADY STATE
1. Definition: Once O2 supplies are meeting the O2 demands of the working muscles. 2. If steady state occurs, heart rate and ventilation rates also plateau. 3. If exercise intensity increases, extra demand for O2 is required by the muscles. Once again it takes time for the CR system to adjust to the increased O2 needs of the working muscles. Once supply meets demand, another steady state is achieved. 4. Aerobically trained athletes are able to attain steady states faster, due to their efficient Cardio-respiratory systems.

EXCESS POST-EXERCISE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION (EPOC)


Definition: the elevated O2 consumption during recovery, which exceeds that normally experienced at rest. Also known as OXYGEN DEBT. The extra O2 supplies in the blood help: 1. Break down lactic acid which has accumulated during the exercise 2. Replenish Creatine Phosphate supplies 3. Remove excess CO2 levels in the blood as a result of muscle metabolic activity.

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