Cardiovascular System
What is the main function/s of the cardiovascular system?
Circulate blood, deliver oxygen & nutrients, remove waste
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
Oxygen uptake & carbon dioxide removal
What are the three types of muscles?
Cardiac, smooth, skeletal
What happens to heart rate during exercise?
Increases
What is the long-term effect of regular exercise on resting heart rate?
Decreases - stronger heart
Name the three main components of the cardiovascular system
Heart, blood, blood vessels
Explain the role of alveoli in gas exchange and why their structure is important.
Thin walls allow for rapid diffusion of O2/CO2 with capillaries
What is the function of tendons?
Attach muscle to bone
Why does breathing rate increase during exercise?
To supply more oxygen to working muscles
How does the respiratory system adapt over time to regular aerobic exercise?
Increased lung capacity, improved VO2 max, more efficient gas exchange
What are the two types of circulation in the cardiovascular system, and how do they function?
Pulmonary - moves blood to/from lungs; Systemic - moves blood to/from body
How does the diaphragm function in both inhalation and exhalation
Contracts to expand lungs; relaxes to push air out
Explain reciprocal inhibition and its role in movement.
One muscle contracts while the opposite relaxes, allowing controlled motion.; Include agonist and antagonist.
What is the purpose of increased motor unit recruitment during exercise?
Enhances force production & muscle activation for movement
What are the muscular system’s long-term adaptations to strength training?
Increased muscle fibre size, improved motor unit recruitment, greater strength
What are the four chambers of the heart, and how does blood flow through them?
Right atrium → Right ventricle → Lungs → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Body
How does the respiratory system help maintain homeostasis?
By expelling heat and water vapor in the air breathed out
Define and give examples of the three types of muscle contractions
Isometric - no movement (plank), Isokinetic (leg curl), Isotonic - concentric/eccentric (bicep curl)
How does stroke volume change with exercise, and why is this beneficial?
Increases to pump more blood per beat, improving oxygen delivery
How does long-term endurance training improve cardiovascular efficiency?
Lower resting HR, higher stroke volume, more capillaries for oxygen transport
Describe the complete pathway of blood circulation, including the role of major arteries and veins
Vena cava → Right atrium → Right ventricle → Pulmonary artery → Lungs → Pulmonary vein → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Aorta → Body
Outline the entire passage of air from the nasal cavity to the alveoli and explain how oxygen is transferred to the blood
Nasal cavity → Pharynx → Larynx → Trachea → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli; Oxygen diffuses into capillaries
Compare and contrast the three types of muscle fibres and how they impact athletic performance.
Type I - endurance, Type IIa - moderate power & endurance, Type IIb - fast & powerful but fatigue quickly
Explain how acute metabolic changes support energy production during high-intensity exercise.
Increased ATP use, lactic acid buildup, oxygen deficit creation
Explain the impact of chronic training adaptations on both aerobic and anaerobic performance
Better use of oxygen at the working muscle, greater energy stores, improved muscular endurance & power