Exercise physiology
What happens in the body during exercise: the three energy systems that supply ATP and how long they last, VO₂max and thresholds, muscle fibre types, how the heart and breathing adapt, and what training changes.
- 34 cards
- 3 topics
- Free
The outline, topic by topic
Each topic is weighted the way the exam weighs it.
- Concepts
- Scenarios
- Understand
A few cards from the deck
ATP: what is it?
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The molecule that directly powers muscle contraction; muscle stores only a few seconds' worth.
The energy systems all serve to remake it.
Which energy system dominates in a 100 metre sprint?
- Phosphagen (phosphocreatine)
- Aerobic
- Fat oxidation
- None, the muscle uses blood glucose
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Phosphagen (phosphocreatine)
A maximal effort under ten seconds runs on phosphocreatine.
Phosphagen system: what is it?
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ATP made from phosphocreatine, without oxygen or lactate, for maximal efforts of a few seconds.
It dominates in a 100 metre sprint or a jump.
Why do you stay out of breath for a few minutes after a sprint?
- The lungs are damaged
- The heart stopped during the effort
- The air lacks oxygen
- The body repays the oxygen debt: rebuilding phosphocreatine and clearing lactate
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The body repays the oxygen debt: rebuilding phosphocreatine and clearing lactate
That is EPOC, larger the more intense the effort.
Glycolytic system: what is it?
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Fast ATP production through glycolysis without oxygen, which produces lactate, for intense efforts of tens of seconds to about two minutes.
It dominates in a 400 metre race.
Which system is most used in a flat-out 400 metres?
- Phosphagen alone
- Glycolytic
- Aerobic alone
- Fat oxidation
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Glycolytic
Around a minute of maximal effort, glycolysis supplies most, hence heavy legs at the finish.