Short term effects of exercise on the body systems

When a person takes part in exercise the cardiovascular, respiratory, energy and muscular systems all work together to supply energy to the working muscles and remove waste products.

When the muscles start to work, they need more oxygen so the respiratory system responds by getting more oxygen into the lungs. The blood carries greater amounts of oxygen and the heart responds to pump more oxygenated blood around the body.

These effects are shown in the table:

	Short term effects of exercise
Cardiovascular system	Increase in stroke volume (SV); increase in heart rate (HR); increase in cardiac output (Q); increase in blood pressure (BP)
Respiratory system	Increase in breathing rate; increase in tidal volume
Cardio-respiratory system	Increase in oxygen uptake; increase in carbon dioxide removal
Energy system	Increase in lactate production
Muscular system	Increase in temperature of muscles; increased pliability; muscle fatigue

Cardiovascular system
Short term effects of exercise	Increase in stroke volume (SV); increase in heart rate (HR); increase in cardiac output (Q); increase in blood pressure (BP)

Respiratory system
Short term effects of exercise	Increase in breathing rate; increase in tidal volume

Cardio-respiratory system
Short term effects of exercise	Increase in oxygen uptake; increase in carbon dioxide removal

Energy system
Short term effects of exercise	Increase in lactate production

Muscular system
Short term effects of exercise	Increase in temperature of muscles; increased pliability; muscle fatigue

After exercising, the muscles need to rest, adapt and recover. There is a risk of injury if the body is not rested for long enough after exercise. This concept can be better understood by studying the Principles of training.

Question

Why is a person less likely to strain a muscle if they have warmed up before taking part in exercise?

Long and short term effects of exercise - EdexcelShort term effects of exercise on the body systems