Immediate effects of exercise on the respiratory system.
Deeper and quicker breathing
However quickly the heart beats it cannot carry enough oxygen if not enough is reaching
the lungs. The efficiency of breathing depends on how much the oxygen can be removed
from the air. The alveoli are the most important structures in oxygen uptake
Oxygen Debt
Oxygen used in anaerobic activities often results in oxygen debt. It is repaid by deep
breathing at the end of a strenuous activity. Lactic acid is a by-product associated with
oxygen debt.
Long term effects of exercise on the respiratory system.
Lung capacity increases
The lungs are able to inhale more oxygen, therefore providing the body with more
oxygen.
Increased vital capacity
Vital capacity increases as the whole system, particularly the lungs become more
efficient.
Number of alveoli increases
More alveoli become available for gaseous exchange after regular exercise. This means
more oxygen can be absorbedby the capillaries and more co2 taken from them.
The effects of smoking
Smoking can have serious adverse effects on gaseous
exchange. Smoking damages the lungs and makes the
alveoli less stretchy, therefore less efficient. Smokers
may become short of breath as its harder getting o2 in
and co2 out. As a result the heart has to work harder
The ban on smoking in public places is one way the
government are attempting to tackle the problem
The respiratory system has 2 main
functions;
1. To bring oxygen into the body
2. To take carbon dioxide out of the
body
Oxygen gets into the blood stream via
the capillaries around the alveoli. Once it
is in the blood it can get to the muscles
where it is needed
YOU MUST KNOW THESE DEFINITIONS!
Key Terms
These two measurements help to estimate the efficiency of the respiratory
system.
Vital Capacity
Is the greatest amount of air that can be made to pass into and out of the lungs by
the most forceful inspirations and expiration. Normally this is about 4 to 5 litres.
Olympic gold medallist Mathew Pinsen had a recorded vital capacity of 8 litres!!
Tidal Volume
Is the amount of air inspired and expired with each normal breath at rest or during
exercise.
Gaseous Exchange
Oxygen Debt
Gaseous exchange is the diffusion of
the oxygen and carbon dioxide that
takes place in the alveoli part of the
lungs. When oxygen goes into the
alveoli, which then touches the
capillaries carrying blood, the oxygen
is diffused into the blood cells and the
carbon dioxide is diffused into the
alveoli as an opposite reaction. The
carbon dioxide is then breathed out of
the body back into the air.
The additional oxygen that must be
taken into the body after exercise to
restore all systems to their normal
states is called oxygen debt.