Short-term effects of exercise on the cardiorespiratory system

Short-Term Effects of Exercise on the Cardiorespiratory System

Increased Heart Rate

  • During exercise, the heart rate increases to pump more blood around the body.
  • This is because the working muscles require an increased supply of oxygen and nutrients.
  • The heart rate can increase to between 130 and 200 beats per minute during moderate to intensive exercise.

Increased Stroke Volume

  • Stroke volume, the amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat, also increases during exercise.
  • This allows more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the working muscles, enabling them to work more efficiently.

Increased Cardiac Output

  • As a result of an increased heart rate and stroke volume, cardiac output (the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute) also increases.
  • This allows more blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients, to reach the muscles quicker.

Increased Ventilation Rate

  • The ventilation rate or rate at which we breathe, increases during exercise.
  • This is to allow for a higher intake of oxygen and a higher exhalation rate of carbon dioxide which builds up in muscles during exercise.

Increased Blood Pressure

  • During exercise, blood pressure rises to push the increased volume of blood through the arteries.
  • This primarily affects the systolic measurement (pressure in arteries when heart beats and squeezes out blood), with little effect on the diastolic measurement (pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats).

Increased Oxygen Utilisation

  • The muscles’ ability to utilise oxygen improves during exercise.
  • With greater oxygen availability, muscles can produce more energy for contraction and continuous work, promoting better performance.

Vasodilation

  • During exercise, blood vessels leading to the muscles dilate, or widen, to allow a greater volume of blood to flow to these areas.
  • This is known as vasodilation and it supports the increase in heart rate and stroke volume, supplying working muscles with the needed nutrients and oxygen.

Understanding these short-term effects of exercise on the cardiorespiratory system can enhance training effectiveness and ensure safety during physical activities.