Circulation and Respiration: Participation and Performance

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Circulation and Respiration Participation and
Performance

• LACTIC ACID
• Muscles need oxygen to work effectively, however
  in anaerobic exercise muscles can work for a
  short time without oxygen.
• If there is not enough supply of oxygen for the
  amount the muscles require, a new energy source
  must be found. This is done by converting the
  energy we store in our bodies (carbohydrates)
  into GLYCOGEN.
• GLYCOGEN is a form of energy that muscles can use
  without needing oxygen.

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• Anaerobic exercise, using glycogen rather than
  oxygen can only go on for a short amount of time.
  
• When muscles have to work anaerobically they
  produce a waste product, a chemical called LATIC
  ACID. This is a poison that stops muscles working
  effectively.
• As muscles continue to work without oxygen,
  lactic acid gradually builds up. The muscles will
  begin to ache and eventually fatigue sets in.
• The cramp will not go away until the muscle is
  rested while the blood brings fresh oxygen to it
  again.
• Lactic acid builds up much more quickly in
  activities requiring all out effort than it does
  in endurance-based activities. Mainly because in
  endurance based activities the muscles are not
  working as hard.

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• OXYGEN DEBT
• The amount of oxygen that reaches our muscle can
  have a major effect on performance and
  participation.
• When the rate at which muscles work is greater
  than the bodys ability to supply oxygen, the
  result is shortage of oxygen and then this will
  lead to fatigue.
• This oxygen shortage is called OXYGEN DEBT
• In order for the muscles to work again
  efficiently this must be repaid. This is done by
  taking gulps of air until enough oxygen has been
  taken in to allow the removal of lactic acid and
  the replenishment of muscle energy stores.

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• The supply of oxygen to our muscles is limited by
  our capacity to take in oxygen during a
  performance, and for that oxygen to reach working
  muscles efficiently.
• DURATION
• Lactic acid accumulation and oxygen debt is
  influenced by the duration and the nature of an
  activity.
• Sprinters consume energy very quickly without
  taking in oxygen (anaerobic) which means that the
  onset of fatigue occurs very quickly within the
  matter of seconds.

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• In longer events fatigue develops much more
  gradually as the body is able to process some of
  its lost energy and minimise lactic acid build up
  during exercise or competition.
• RECOVERY RATE
• A sprinter can recover from an all out effort in
  the matter of minutes.
• This is the time it takes for the accumulation of
  lactic acid in the muscles to fall to an
  acceptable level for muscles to start working
  efficiently again.
• Events such as the marathon require a longer
  period of recovery time, it can be hours before
  the heart rate and respiratory rate return to
  normal levels.

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Sprinter Linford Christie would recover in the
matter of minutes after 100 metres sprint
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• TOLERANCE
• This is the amount of work the body can cope
  with.
• It varies from individual to individual. However,
  it is possible t increase the bodys tolerance to
  lactic acid build up and oxygen debt by improving
  fitness.