Download The Respiratory System

2. (a) An athlete may feel tired, light headed, nausea, and
shortness of breath.
(b) An athlete who will perform at high altitudes should
arrive a couple of weeks prior to their competition. This will
allow the body to adjust to the low levels of oxygen and
produce more red blood cells. A diet rich in protein or an
iron supplement will help the body construct the protein
hemoglobin needed to transport oxygen gas.
(c) Being at high altitudes causes your body to produce
more red blood cells. More red blood cells will increase the
delivery of oxygen to the cells. This will increase the rate of
cellular respiration and therefore provide the cells of the
body with more energy (ATP). However, once the athlete
returns to sea level, the body will adjust and the red blood
cells production will decrease.