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Concept Map
Megan Mack
College of Kinesiology, Concordia University, St. Paul
Exercise Physiology, 474
Professor Olivia Franklin-Lyons
May 3, 2023
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A concept map is very often used to show how one thing or event can affect many others; in this
case it is showing how different systems in the body can affect other systems or even other parts of the
body. In general, all systems that were outlined in this concept map can benefit from any type of exercise.
Exercising every day, even if it is a very light exercise for 10-20 minutes can help improve the systems in
the body. During exercise, bioenergetics and the metabolic system are used to help obtain and retain
energy so it can be given to parts of the body that need it at that time. Alongside that, the cardiovascular
system is one of the most important systems in the body as it is responsible for distributing oxygen
through the blood stream to the muscles that are being used and to the heart to make sure the body is
healthy and being properly maintained. The skeletal system is what is going to allow the muscles and
joints to move accordingly to the exercise, and it does its best to prevent any injury from occurring. It also
serves as a protection to some of the vital organs that are in the body while improving the blood flow and
glucose productions. The endocrine system will improve and adjust the sympathetic and parasympathetic
activity performances as they are needed to adjust the epinephrine production levels to make sure the
body is getting the right amount for what it is involved in at the time. While participating in daily
exercise, the nervous system will increase the respiratory rate and blood pressure to ensure the body is in
a good state to continue exercising. If any of these ever feel off or not right, it is best to stop exercising
and contact a doctor to figure out what is going on. Lastly, the respiratory system is responsible for how
much oxygen can be produced while increasing the oxygen to the best of its ability. The respiratory
system works with the nervous system to increase the ventilation of the body so that it has the ability to
produce and consume more oxygen. It is important to note that not all systems are going to be used at all
times. The body is able to recognize what needs to be done and then follow through with the task. The
process of how these systems in the body work can be seen below in the concept map.
Skeletal muscle
Blood flow
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Allows movement, provides
support, structure, and protects
vital organs
Increased metabolism
Blood flow
B2 receptors on blood vessels
Lactate production
Glycogenolysis
Sympathetic activation during exercise
Increased blood flow
Decrease in muscle weight and fat
Increased glucose
Reduces muscle disorders
Regulates genetic expression
Bioenergetics/Metabolism
Glucocorticoids
Digestion and absorption of
food to provide nutrients
and energy for body function
Increased blood glucose
Phosphocreatine system
Aerobic respiration
ATP production through use
of available nutrients
Used by muscles
Creates phosphate
Energy
Free fatty acids
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Endocrine System
Regulates hormones and
releases into bloodstream
Adrenal gland
Medulla
Cortex
Epinephrine
Mineralocorticoid
Glucocorticoids
Sympathetic activity
Na+ retention
Decreased capillary
permeability
Increased motor
activity
Increased blood pressure
Increased cardiac output
Nervous System
Muscle metabolism
Autonomic nervous system
Proprioceptive signals from joints
Lactate production
Increased
sympathetic activity
Respiratory center
Decreased parasympathetic
activity
Stimulate peripheral and
central chemoreceptor
Increased respiratory rate
Norepinephrine and
epinephrine release
Increased heart rate, blood
pressure, and ventilation
Reduces resting blood pressure
and sympathetic outflow
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Cardiovascular
Blood pressure
Cardiac output
Redistribution of blood flow
CNS
Isotonic exercise
Increased blood
flow
Isometric exercise
No change in blood
flow
Increased metabolism
Muscle contraction
Increased H+ & K+
production
Increased
stroke volume
Skeletal muscle
Arterioles constrict
Increased oxygen
supply
Increased heart rate
Increased cardiac
output
Systolic
decrease/Diastolic
increase
Systolic
increase/Diastolic
decrease
Respiratory
Increased oxygen consumption &
increased CO2 production
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Increased ventilation rate
Breathing (inhaling and
exhaling) helps pump blood
During exercise
Lungs and muscles
get fresh oxygen
Lactic acid
production
Blood pH decreases
Increased
respiratory rate
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