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Core 2: Factors affecting performance

How does the body respond to aerobic training?

Immediate physiological response to training

During exercise an athlete requires oxygen to be supplied to the muscles. In order for this to happen, the body experiences several immediate physiological responses. This section examines each of these responses.

Click on the appropriate underlined heading for a detailed explanation and graph to demonstrate each of the physiological responses during exercise.

Heart rate is the number of beats the heart makes in one minute. It can be measured by finding a pulse and counting the number of beats per minute.

Ventilation rate refers to the total volume of air taken into the lungs per minute. Improved ventilation rates require a change in the rate of breathing (breaths per minute) and a change in the depth of breathing (volume).

Stroke volume is the amount of blood pumped out of the left ventricle during contraction of the heart.

Cardiac output is the total amount of blood pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart each minute. It is found by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate.

Lactate levels is a measure of the overall level of lactic acid found within the muscles and bloodstream.

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