Short-term Effects of Exercise
Introduction to Short-term Effects of Exercise
- Exercise can have several immediate, or short-term effects on the body.
- The effects are typically noticeable during exercise or shortly after, returning to normal levels after a period of rest.
- The affected areas include the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, muscular system, and energy systems.
Effect on the Cardiovascular System
- An immediate response to exercise is an increase in heart rate.
- This is accompanied by a rise in blood pressure to increase blood circulation.
- Cardiac output, the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, also increases.
- Distributing more blood ensures additional oxygen and nutrients reach the muscles.
Effect on the Respiratory System
- Exercise increases breathing rate and depth of breaths.
- Enhanced breathing facilitates more oxygen intake and quicker removal of carbon dioxide.
- The oxygen uptake rises to meet the muscles’ heightened needs.
- Air passages dilate to accommodate the increased flow of air.
Effect on the Muscular System
- The muscles experience increased temperature due to metabolic activity and blood circulation.
- This leads to improved flexibility and contractile speed of muscles.
- There’s an increase in lactic acid production, causing muscle fatigue.
Effect on Energy Systems
- The body widely utilises the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems for fuel during exercise.
- For shorter, intense activities, anaerobic metabolism predominates, leading to lactic acid production.
- For longer, less intense activities, aerobic metabolism is used, which relies on oxygen.
Role of Short-term Effects in Physical Education
- Adequate understanding of these effects can enhance the effectiveness and safety of exercise routines.
- By analyzing the body’s response to different types of exercise, workouts can be designed that target specific goals.
- Awareness of how to manage fatigue and improve recovery, for instance understanding ways to limit lactic acid build-up, can prevent injuries.
- Knowing the immediate benefits of exercise can act as motivation to participate.