Exercise and Breathing

The flow diagram for Task 2 in Assignment One will be very useful at this point. t will help you to understand the following explanations. !ou have already explained how a breathing cycle is established whilst at rest by the "espiratory #entre in the $edulla part of the brain. !ou now need to explain why and how the breathing rate% or ventilation rate% is increased during physical exercise. Both the rate &breaths per minute' and depth &volume' of breathing can be varied. The product of these two is called the ventilation rate (i.e. the volume of air ventilating the lungs each minute) Ventilation rate = breathing rate x tidal volume

Both controlled by the nerves from the respiratory centre The Difference Between Ventilation at Rest and Exercise Breathing rate &breaths*mi n' at rest at exercise -2 -1 Tidal volume &cm+* breath' .// -/// ,entilation rate &cm+*min'

0 /// -1 ///

2hen the body exercises the ventilation rate and depth increases so that) -. Oxygen can diffuse from the air to the blood faster 2. #arbon dioxide can diffuse from the blood to the air faster H ! D E" THE RE"#$R%T R& 'E(TRE RE"# (D T E)ER'$"E*

The process is the same as for heart rate% with the chemoreceptors in the aortic and carotid bodies detecting an increase in respiration i.e. higher carbon dioxide and lower oxygen levels..

Again% the stretch receptors in the muscles give a more rapid indication of muscular activity% allowing an anticipatory increase in breathing rate even before the carbon dioxide concentration in the blood has changed.