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Sport Science 2017
The Cardiorespiratory System
A Research And Referencing Task
Teacher:
Due Date: 13/02/2017
Date Submitted: 13/02/2017
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Sport Science 2017
The Cardiorespiratory System
The cardiovascular and respiratory systems both play an integral part in our ability to exercise. All
the cells in the body require oxygen to survive.
The Respiratory System – Anatomy
The respiratory system is comprised of the airway, lungs and muscles that support respiration. Air,
inhaled through the nose progresses to the nasopharynx through the larynx and into the trachea.
The trachea begins level with the 6th cervical vertebra, it is supported by U-shaped rings of hyaline
cartilage which helps maintain its structure. (Basmajian, 1980) The trachea then divides into two
bronchi and then into further bronchioli. The bronchioli enters the lungs, two spongy organs that
facilitate the exchange of oxygen. The bronchioli divide into the lung lobes; three on the right and
two on the left. The bronchioli divide further into alveolar ducts which contain alveoli. In the alveoli,
the gas exchange takes place. The lungs are supported by the diaphragm, a muscle that separates
the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. (BBC, 2014) During inhalation, the diaphragm flattens,
creating more space for the expanding lungs. During exhalation, it expands and forces air out.
(Zimmermann, 2016)
Image: Human Respiratory System (Jain, 2016)
The Cardiovascular System – Anatomy
The cardiovascular system is comprised of the heart, vessels and blood. The vessels are vital in
transporting blood, nutrients, waste, oxygen and hormones throughout the body. The heart powers
the entire cardiovascular system. The heart is composed of cardiac muscle and is covered by a
fibrous tissue called pericardium. The heart is comprised to two halves, the right and left side, each
with two chambers, the atrium and ventricles. (myVMC, 2013) Veins deliver deoxygenated blood to
the right side of the heart where blood drains into the superior and inferior vena cava. The blood
then passes through the right atrium, right ventricle, the pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries
and into the lungs where it absorbs more oxygen. The newly oxygenated blood returns to the left
atrium and then through the left ventricle where it is pumped into the aorta and to the rest of the
body through the arteries. The oxygenated blood is used and the cycle continues. (Bupa Health,
2011)
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Sport Science 2017
Image: Human Cardiovascular System (Bupa Health, 2011)
Gas Exchange
The alveoli are a hub of blood capillaries through which oxygen enters the blood while carbon
dioxide is released. (Taylor, 2016) Blood arriving in the alveoli has a high concentration of carbon
dioxide due to its production during the body’s respiration. The carbon dioxide in the capillaries
diffuse into the alveoli where there is a lower concentration of carbon dioxide. Oxygen similarly
enters the capillaries through diffusion. (BBC, 2014) The oxygen molecules bind with the
haemoglobin in red blood cells to form oxyhaemoglobin which travels through the blood stream
around the body. (Moss, 2016) Oxygen is received by muscle tissues from the blood stream also
through diffusion; oxygen diffuses to the tissue which has a lower concentration of oxygen and
carbon dioxide goes into the blood stream.
Image: Gas Exchange (BBC, 2014)
Acute Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise
When exercising, the body acutely adapts to the increase in the demand for oxygen and ATP.
(Dickins, 2014) Respiratory rate increases during exercise, as the working muscles require, to enable
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Sport Science 2017
the gas exchange in the lungs to occur more rapidly. The intercostal muscles expand the chest cavity
more to allow more air to be drawn in during inhalation.
Stroke volume (volume of blood exiting the left ventricle with each pump) increases hugely with
exercise. Cardiac output also increases with exercise proportional to the exercise intensity. (Davies,
n.d.) Cardiac output can be calculated with the following formula:
CARIAC OUTPUT = HEART RATE x STROKE VOLUME (AMAC, 2017)
The heart rate also rises during exercise, beginning to rise before the commencement of exercise
due to anticipation. (Knox, 1940) Blood pressure increases, transporting vital oxygen to working
muscles and blood is directed away from inactive organs and rather to the organs and muscles that
require it. (Teach Pe, 2017)
References
AMAC. (2017). Level 2 Exercise and Fitness Knowledge. Retrieved from AMAC Fitness Training
Provider: http://amactraining.co.uk/resources/handy-information/free-learningmaterial/level-2-exercise-and-fitness-knowledge-index/level-2-exercise-and-fitnessknowledge-10heart/
Basmajian, J. V. (1980). Grant's Method of Anatomy 10th Edition. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
BBC. (2014). BBC - GCSE Bitesize Science - Gaseous Exchange In The Lungs: Revision. Retrieved from
BBC - GCSE Bitesize:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/triple_aqa/movement_of_molecules/ga
seous_exchange_lungs/revision/1/
Bupa Health. (2011). Cardiovascular System Health Information - Bupa. Retrieved from Bupa:
http://www.bupa.com.au/health-and-wellness/health-information/az-healthinformation/the-cardiovascular-system-and-how-it-works
Davies, P. (n.d.). The Cardiovascular System and Exercise. Retrieved from Sports Fitness Advisor:
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/cardiovascular-system-and-exercise.html
Dickins, Z. (2014). Acute Exercise - How the body responds by Zoe Dickins on Prezi. Retrieved from
Prezi: https://prezi.com/9fd02umydn1u/acute-exercise-how-the-body-responds/
Jain, D. (2016). Human Respiratory Systems and it's Mechanisms. Retrieved from Biology Discussion:
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/essay/human-respiratory-system-and-its-mechanismwith-diagram/1548
Knox, J. (1940). The Heart Rate During A Simple Exercise. British Medical Journal, 289-297.
Moss, F. (2016). Alevoli and Gas Exchange by Francesca Moss on Prezi. Retrieved from Prezi:
https://prezi.com/gbhykylci2ux/alveoli-and-gas-exchange/
myVMC. (2013). Cardiovascular System (Heart) | myVMC. Retrieved from Virtual Medical Centre:
http://www.myvmc.com/anatomy/cardiovascular-system-heart/
Taylor, T. (2016). Cardiovascular System - Human Veins, Arteries, Heart. Retrieved from InnerBody:
http://www.innerbody.com/image/cardov.html
Taylor, T. (2016). Respiratory System | Interactive Anatomy Guide. Retrieved from InnerBody:
http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/respiratory
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Sport Science 2017
Teach Pe. (2017). Effects Of Exercise | Energy Systems | Anatomy and Physiology. Retrieved from
Teach Pe: http://www.teachpe.com/anatomy/short_term_effects.php
Zimmermann, K. A. (2016). Respiratory System: Facts, Function and Diseases. Retrieved from Live
Science: http://www.livescience.com/22616-respiratory-system.html
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