Ben Newby:
OBLA is the onset of blood lactate accumulation, this process occurs when blood lactate levels reach
4mmol/L. It is at the point where production of lactate exceeds the speed of removal; resulting in
OBLA. 1 mark here for correct definition
VO2 Max is the maximum amount of oxygen that can be taken in and used by the body in one minute/
per unit time. 1 mark here for correct definition.
1-Explain the physiological adaptations of aerobic training in skeletal muscle that delay OBLA in a
trained performer
The physiological adaptations in skeletal muscle that delay OBLA in a trained performer are that
Hypertrophy occurs in the body, this is the increase in size of the body muscles, especially the heart.
As the size of the heart increases this increases stroke volume which also increases Cardiac Output.
This in turn delivers high amount of oxygen to the working muscles to allow them to respire. This
delays OBLA in a trained performer. Aerobic training also increases the lung capacity; this is because
the alveoli in the lungs develops a bigger surface area resulting in a more efficient gaseous exchange
of oxygen into the capillaries. This result in more oxygenated blood being transported to the heart
where it is then pumped around body also to the working muscles in order to break down lactic acid in
the muscles; delaying OBLA. Ben the question asks about skeletal muscle specifically!! You have
missed marks here by talking about other things. You need to mention things like increased
mitochondria, increased myoglobin content, hypertrophy of slow twitch muscle fibres. 0 marks here.
2 marks in total for Qu 1.
2-We can develop aerobic capacity by principles of training by relating the principles of training
directly to improving aerobic capacity. There is nowhere near enough information here for a 5 marks
question Ben.
0 marks in total for question 2.
3-VO2 Max is the maximum amount of oxygen that can be taken in and used by the body in one
minute/ per unit time 1 mark for correct definition. Three factors that affect a performers VO2 max are
Age, gender and their physiological make-up; this includes muscle fibre type, size of heart and lungs
and the no. of RBC’s and mitochondria. 3 good points made here Ben.
4 marks for question 3.
4- Increased Cardiac Output- this is a result of hypertrophy of the heart which results in a larger heart,
this growth in the size of heart results in an increase amount of blood being pumped around body as
the stroke volume is increased. This increase in blood results in more oxygenated blood being
delivered to the skeletal muscle in body. 2 good points here Ben.
Increased glycogen stores- as glycogen is a fuel, if this is increased then this will result in more
energy/ ATP being produced so the body/ performer can exercise for longer. 2 good points here Ben
Increased red blood cell count- this results in more haemoglobin being produced and more red blood
cells means that a higher amount of oxygen can be delivered to the working muscles in the body. This
is so respiration can occur in the body and to break down lactic acid; allowing performer to excise for
longer. 2 good points here Ben.
6 marks for question 4.
Total: 12 out of 20
Scott Johnson:
1)
OBLA is the onset of blood lactate accumulation and is when the blood reaches the anaerobic
threshold. For a mark here Scott you need to say it is when 4mmol of lactate per litre of blood is
reached. 0 marks.
VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during
exercise. You need to say Scott that this is over one minute. 0 marks.
Aerobic training can cause many physiological adaptations to the skeletal muscle, for example a
high level of aerobic training will cause myocardial hypertrophy of the heart, Is the heart Scott skeletal
muscle? this means the hearts stroke volume will increase so more blood leaves the heart in each
beat which will also decrease heart rate, this means blood containing red blood cells which contain
oxygen will get to the working muscles quicker where the oxygen on the red blood cells will break
down the lactic acid therefore delaying the onset of lactate accumulation. Aerobic training can also
improve other things such as strength of respiratory muscles and lung size which will both increase
lung volume and tidal volume. Scott the question asks about skeletal muscle specifically!! You have
missed marks here by talking about other things. You need to mention things like increased
mitochondria, increased myoglobin content, hypertrophy of slow twitch muscle fibres. 0 marks here
0 marks in total for question 1.
2)
Principles of training can develop aerobic capacity in many ways, mainly because the training
methods cause an increase in size in the respiratory and cardiac muscles. An increase in heart size
(myocardial hypertrophy) means the hearts stroke volume is increased so more blood leaves the
heart in each beat which also caused a decrease in heart rate as not as many beats are required to
get the blood to the muscles, this means blood containing red blood cells which contain oxygen are
delivered to working muscles quicker and more efficiently so aerobic capacity is increased. Also as
respiratory muscles are bigger, lung size is increased so the increase in lung volume means there are
a greater number of alveoli which makes gaseous exchange more efficient. Also tidal volume is
increased so more air is taken in during each breath so more oxygen is taken in therefore increasing
aerobic capacity. Scott this is a question asking about principles of training! Not adaptations from
training!
0 marks for question 2.
3)
VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during
exercise. No mention of over 1 minute again. 0 marks.
3 factors that affect performers VO2 max:
1)
Age – older you are greater VO2 max
2)
Gender – males generally have greater VO2 Max due to physiological make up
3)
Physiological make up - factors such as heart and lung size 3 good points here Scott.
3 marks for question 3
4) Effect of endurance training on aerobic performance:
Increased cardiac output: cardiac output is increased due to myocardial hypertrophy which causes an
increase in stroke volume (amount of blood leaving the heart in each beat) which also reduces heart
rate as not as many beats are required to get the blood to the muscles therefore together cause an
increased cardiac output. You needed to add Scott that more oxygenated blood is delivered. 1 mark
here
Increased red blood cell count: increased red blood cell count is caused because endurance training
increases tidal volume so more oxygen is taken in each breath so there is a greater number of red
blood cells in the blood because lung volume is increased so there is a greater number of alveoli so
there is more efficient gas exchange so a higher concentration of oxygen is diffused in to the blood.
You are getting confused here Scott with the lungs. More red blood cells means more haemoglobin
and an increase in O2 carrying capacity of the blood. 0 marks here.
This along with a higher stroke volume due to myocardial hypertrophy means more blood with more
red blood cells is delivered to working muscles quicker.
Increased mitochondrial size: having a larger mitochondria size means that the mitochondria can give
out oxygen in greater amounts more quickly, therefore resulting in oxygen being used at working
muscles quicker causing greater aerobic performance. Mitochondria is where aerobic respiration
takes place in the muscle which would result in greater production of ATP.0 marks here
1 mark for question 4.
Total: 4 out of 20.
James Etherington.
Homework
1.
OBLA is the onset of blood lactate accumulation. A level of about 2 - 4 millimoles per dm3
(litre) represents OBLA. 1 mark here for correct definition.
VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during
exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual. You must say James that this is over a
minute. 0 marks here.
There are an increased number of mitochondria which allows for more efficient respiration, increased
myoglobin content allowing increased oxygen carrying capacity within the muscle and an increased
capillary density within the muscle which allows for more efficient gaseous exchange. Well done here
with 3 excellent points. 3 marks awarded
4 marks in total for question 1.
2.
Freq.- twice a week 1 mark
Intensity- 60-70% of max. HR 1 mark
Time-over 20mins 1 mark
Type- Continuous 1 mark
Anything else James you could have said? Progression, specificity, variance etc?
4 marks for question 2.
3.
VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during
exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual. No mention of over 1 minute again. 0
marks. 3 factors affecting VO2 max are gender, age and genetics. 3 good points here. 3 marks
3 marks for question 3.
4.
More blood will be pumped around the body in a minute for cardiac output. You need to say
here James that this is due to cardiac hypertrophy and that it is the delivery of more oxygenated blood
that is key!
Increased mitochondrial size allows for more efficient respiration 1 mark here, what about this leading
to more ATP production.
Increased myoglobin allows an increased oxygen carrying capacity within the muscles. 1 mark here
2 marks for question 4
Total 13 out of 20.
Ryan Heptinstall
1-
OBLA (onset of blood lactate accumulation) is when the lactate levels in your blood begin
to rise. Also known as lactate threshold. Not enough information here Ryan. You need to
say 4mmol of lactate per litre of blood is OBLA. 0 marks
VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individuals body to transport and use oxygen during
exercise. You must say over a minute. 0 marks
Increased lung size means increased number of capillaries, You must say capillary density
here Ryan in the muscle not the lungs! which will lead to more efficient gaseous exchange. Also they
will have increased number of mitochondria will mean more efficient respiration. Increased stores of
myoglobin mean more oxygen can be carried. These factors can delay OBLA. Two good points here
for 2 marks.
2 marks in total for question 1.
2-
By using the principles of training we can improve aerobic capacity. To increase aerobic
capacity it is best that you use continuous training as this means you will work for long
periods of time with hardly any rest. This should be done around 3 times a week and
should be working for about 10 minutes to 1 minute rest doing this 3 times per session,
working at 60%-80% of your max heart rate 3 good points here Ryan, but you could have
added specificity, progression, variance etc?
3 marks for question 2
3-
VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individuals body to transport and use oxygen
during exercise. No mention of over 1 minute again. 0 marks. Gender can influence you
VO2 max as males generally have bigger lungs which will mean having more efficient
gaseous exchange. Genetics as they can determine the type of muscle fibres in your
heart and the rest of your muscles. 3 good points here Ryan.
3 marks for question 3
4-
The greater the stores of glycogen the more glucose molecules that can be made into
energy. Greater cardiac output means more red blood cells that are pumped out of the
heart meaning more oxygen to the muscles. Increased size and density of your
mitochondria means your respiration will get more efficient. 3 marks here Ryan, but you
needed to have 2 points for each adapation. For instance more mitochondria gives a
greater production of ATP
3 marks for question 4.
Total: 11 out of 20.
Jordan Emsley
OBLA and VO2 Max
1. OBLA - The point at which lactate levels begin to rise is known as the lactate threshold or
onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) You need to say Jordan 4mmol of lactate per litre
of blood is OBLA. 0 marks
VO2 Max - VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use
oxygen during exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual. You must say
over a minute. 0 marks
OBLA can be reduced in a trained performer due the physiological adaptations that occur due to the
improvement of their aerobic capacity. Firstly they will have a bigger, stronger heart known as cardiac
hypertrophy. This allows for a more forceful contraction of the left ventricle so more blood is pumped
out each heartbeat, i.e. increased stroke volume. Therefore they will also have a higher cardiac
output. This means that more oxygen can be transported around to the working skeletal muscles and
also at a quicker rate. This means the lactic acid that has built up can be broken down by the oxygen
quicker and therefore removed as a waste product. A trained performer therefore can reduce the
OBLA. Jordan the question specifically asks about skeletal muscle. You must refer to that only! 0
marks.
0
marks for question 1.
2. Using principles of training we can improve the aerobic capacity of someone who is not able
to undertake enduring exercise and adapt them into a physical fit individual. Firstly if we were
to make a training programme for them, it would have to be specific for them, for example,
their training programme would not consist of a 30 minute, high intensity run as they would
not be able to perform it. We would however progress their training once they have initially
started exercise. After the first couple of weeks, we may progress their training from an 8
minute run to a 10 minute or maybe keep the duration the same but increase the intensity
from 40% of max heart to 50%. Over the forthcoming weeks once they are becoming more
aerobically fit, intensity, duration or resistance may increase slightly week on week. Jordan
you make 3 good points here, but you need to make more of the FITT principle by talking
about frequency of training and also how long training should last to benefit a performer
aerobically. 3 marks here for question 2.
3. VO2 max is the maximum capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during
exercise, which reflects the physical fitness of the individual. 3 factors which affect aerobic
capacity are: age, gender and physiological make-up. 3 marks here Jordan for the factors, but
you need to define VO2 Max by referring to the time over a minute.
3 marks for question 3.
Where is your answer to this question below Jordan?
4. (c) Explain the effect of three of the adaptations to endurance training listed below on
aerobic
performance. [6 marks) Jan 11.
Body System Adaptations to Endurance Training
Cardiovascular • Increased cardiac output • Increased red blood cell count
Musculoskeletal • Increased mitochondrial size and density • Increased myoglobin
concentration
• Increased oxidative enzyme concentrations • Increased glycogen
stores
Total 6 out of 20.
Aidan Campbell
1. OBLA stands for "onset of blood lactate accumulation" - it is the point at which lactate
begins to accumulate in the blood, usually taken as when blood lactate levels reach a
figure 4mmol/litres of blood. Good definition 1 mark.
2. Aerobic capacity or VO2 max
- "the maximum amount of oxygen that can be taken in and used by the body in one
minute/per unit time (measured per unit of body weight Kg)" Good definition 1 mark.
From taking part in aerobic training there are physiological affects on the skeletal system,
these are cardiac hypertrophy which is the increase of the heart muscle, there are also
more mitochondria sites 1 mark here and density so this means there are more sites for
reaction to take place. Other physiological factors include increase in the lungs which
increase the vo2 max of a performer and increases the volume of the lungs. Finally the
intercostal muscles and the diaphragm muscles strengthen making the lungs more
protected. You must focus on what the question is asking you here Aidan. It says skeletal
muscle!
3 marks for question 1.
Where is your response to question 2 below Aidan?
How by using principles of training can we develop aerobic capacity? (5 marks)
Jan 10
3. The factors that affect VO2 max are •
Age
•
Gender
•
Physiological make up - muscle fibre type, size of lungs, size of heart, number of red
blood cells, number of mitochondria 3 good points here. 3 marks.
•
How much aerobic training you do
3 marks for question 3.
Aidan, where is your response to question 4 below?
4. (c) Explain the effect of three of the adaptations to endurance training listed below on aerobic
performance. [6 marks) Jan 11.
Body System Adaptations to Endurance Training
Cardiovascular • Increased cardiac output • Increased red blood cell count
Musculoskeletal • Increased mitochondrial size and density • Increased myoglobin
concentration
• Increased oxidative enzyme concentrations • Increased glycogen stores
Total 6 marks out of 20.