Rachel Rout
Physical Preparation, Health & Lifestyle for the Public Services
Fitness, Body and Exercise
M2 – Short term effects of exercise on the major body systems.
Short term effects of exercise happen to the body during and just after exercise they only last for
a small period of time before the body returns back to its original state. Exercise has an
immediate effect on the three major body systems as they have to adapt to get more of oxygen
to the functioning muscles.
Musculoskeletal System –
Muscle contraction: Muscles contraction is an immediate effect on the body of exercise. Our
muscles have to work harder to support the exercise we are doing, to do thing they must contract
more often.
Increased Blood flow: The amount of blood that is directed to our muscles must increase during
exercise as they are working harder so there needs to be a larger amount of oxygen and
glucose. Waste products are also removed in this process, such as lactic acid, so our muscles
can function properly and we are not left with aches and pains after exercise.
Rise in temperature: During Exercise respiration releases energy into the muscles, the body
temperature can then become too high so the body begins to sweat to release heat from the
body.
Respiratory System –
Increased breathing rate and tidal volume: During exercise our breathing rate will increase as
we need to get more oxygen and glucose to the working muscles. It also means that carbon
dioxide needs to be removed from the body system a lot quicker. The body does this by
increasing the tidal volume, this is the amount of oxygen which we breathe in, in one breathe.
Increased heart rate/stroke volume: Although the increased heart rate is part of the
cardiovascular system it is need to get more oxygen to the working muscles. The stroke volume
increases (the amount of blood pumped out in each beat) as it carries oxygenated blood to
muscle cells. This stops the muscles from spasming. During exercise if there is not enough
oxygen present for the needs of the muscle cells anaerobic respiration takes place, as well as
aerobic respiration.
Cardiovascular System –
Blood diverts to muscles from digestion and other systems: Due to our muscles needing
more oxygen in order for us to keep exercising, the blood is diverted from our other systems
including the digestive system to help. This is why we are told to wait 2-3 hours after eating
before exercising, so that our body can properly digest our food and focus on the muscles, if this
is not done it can lead to stomach cramps.
Blood temperature rises: In order to keep our body temperature from rising too high, our heart
pumps the heat in your blood from your muscles to your skin. You then sweat it out during
intense exercise and it will evaporates to cool your body down. Another way for the body to lose
heat is when the blood vessels near the skin open so that we can stay cool during exercise.
Physical Preparation, Health & Lifestyle for the Public Services
Fitness, Body and Exercise
M2 – Short term effects of exercise on the major body systems.
Short term effects of exercise happen to the body during and just after exercise they only last for
a small period of time before the body returns back to its original state. Exercise has an
immediate effect on the three major body systems as they have to adapt to get more of oxygen
to the functioning muscles.
Musculoskeletal System –
Muscle contraction: Muscles contraction is an immediate effect on the body of exercise. Our
muscles have to work harder to support the exercise we are doing, to do thing they must contract
more often.
Increased Blood flow: The amount of blood that is directed to our muscles must increase during
exercise as they are working harder so there needs to be a larger amount of oxygen and
glucose. Waste products are also removed in this process, such as lactic acid, so our muscles
can function properly and we are not left with aches and pains after exercise.
Rise in temperature: During Exercise respiration releases energy into the muscles, the body
temperature can then become too high so the body begins to sweat to release heat from the
body.
Respiratory System –
Increased breathing rate and tidal volume: During exercise our breathing rate will increase as
we need to get more oxygen and glucose to the working muscles. It also means that carbon
dioxide needs to be removed from the body system a lot quicker. The body does this by
increasing the tidal volume, this is the amount of oxygen which we breathe in, in one breathe.
Increased heart rate/stroke volume: Although the increased heart rate is part of the
cardiovascular system it is need to get more oxygen to the working muscles. The stroke volume
increases (the amount of blood pumped out in each beat) as it carries oxygenated blood to
muscle cells. This stops the muscles from spasming. During exercise if there is not enough
oxygen present for the needs of the muscle cells anaerobic respiration takes place, as well as
aerobic respiration.
Cardiovascular System –
Blood diverts to muscles from digestion and other systems: Due to our muscles needing
more oxygen in order for us to keep exercising, the blood is diverted from our other systems
including the digestive system to help. This is why we are told to wait 2-3 hours after eating
before exercising, so that our body can properly digest our food and focus on the muscles, if this
is not done it can lead to stomach cramps.
Blood temperature rises: In order to keep our body temperature from rising too high, our heart
pumps the heat in your blood from your muscles to your skin. You then sweat it out during
intense exercise and it will evaporates to cool your body down. Another way for the body to lose
heat is when the blood vessels near the skin open so that we can stay cool during exercise.
