What Happens in the Body During Exercise?

What Happens in the Body During Exercise?
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During exercise, your body goes through a series of changes and adaptions to supply itself with additional energy. Your blood pressure levels increase and your heart rate speeds up to properly accommodate this increase in energy. Your respiratory system and the chemical balance in your body also undergo changes during exercise. You should consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen; she should be able to answer specific questions about exercise-related body changes.

Blood Pressure

During exercise, the body requires an increase in oxygen to help break down glucose, a stored sugar, and convert it into usable energy. Because blood cells carry oxygen, an increase in blood pressure is necessary to break down more glucose and increase the amount of energy in your body, Washington University researchers note. Isometric and other static exercises have less of an effect on blood pressure because they put less stress on your cardiovascular system.

Phosphagen System

The phosphagen system supplies your muscle cells with a short supply of high energy. This system is most often utilized by sprinters and goes into effect for only eight to 10 seconds, the National Space Biomedical Research Institute explains. As you continue on in your exercise, levels of creatine phosphate in your body begin to decrease. As a result, your body must instead tap the glycogen-lactic acid system for extended energy if you are exercising for a longer period.

Respiratory System

The respiratory system is designed to help you bring oxygen into your body so that your cells can use it to create energy. As a result, proper breathing is essential for you to maximize energy efficiency during workouts. The harder you work out, the more your respiratory rate will increase, to accommodate increased energy demand.

pH Regulation

During exercise, it is important for your body to keep blood at a balanced pH level of around 7.4. While your blood has naturally buffers to adapt to the decrease in oxygen and increase in carbon dioxide created by exercise, your body has several other outlets to help keep your blood regulated, Washington University researchers explain. Increased respiratory functions act in conjunction with your blood to help keep your pH levels balanced. In addition, your lungs remove carbon dioxide from your system during exercise by sending out and away from your body.

References

Article reviewed by Will McCahill Last updated on: Mar 28, 2011

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