HIGHER LEVEL PE
SPORTS PHYSIOLOGY
In this unit we will study how sports/exercise affects the body of an athlete. An underpinning knowledge about anatomy and physiology is important so that you will be able to APPLY it later. This application of what you learned is the purpose of studying. You may have covered some of the
facts of anatomy in your science classes but not in the sporting context.
For example, if you want to understand the applied work on blood pressure and the affects of exercise, you will need to have knowledge of the heart and blood. This knowledge will also helpyou in planning a Personal Exercise Program.
Part A
1 Cardiovascular Fitness- The Heart (Arteries, veins and capillaries)
2 Composition of Blood
3 How training and fitness affect the heart
4 Respiratory fitness- The Lungs
5 Immediate effects of exercise- Effects of regular training
- Long term benefits of exercise
- Aerobic & Anaerobic activity
Part B
6 Different ways that muscles contract
7 Bones
8 Joints of the body
9 Muscles and fat
10 Muscle Fibers
11 Muscles of upper & lower body
12 Tendons, ligaments and cartilage
13 Flexibility and mobility
SPORTS PHYSIOLOGY is concerned with the monitoring and evaluation of how the body responds and adapts to single and repeated bouts of physical exercise. Physiological monitoring may take place in laboratory or field based settings or in a combination of both. Such monitoring is used to establish individual fitness profiles of players/athletes on a sports specific basis.
Physiological monitoring can:
• Identify specific strengths and weaknesses of the player/athlete
• Assist the coach in prescribing individual training programmes
• Investigation of new training programmes
• Evaluation of existing training programmes
• Establish appropriate training levels and intensities
• Monitor training progress
• Assist in peaking at the right time
• Motivate the player/athletes
• Avoid overtraining
• Assess health status
• Make comparisons with international data for world class competitors in different sports
• Help maximise the sports potential of each individual player/athletes
CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS
Cardiovascular fitness is essential for both a healthy heart and mind. When we talk about cardiovascular fitness we are referring to the overall ability of the body to generate energy through the circulation of blood and oxygen. Any improvement of cardiovascular health involves strengthening the heart and increasing endurance. Because the heart is just like any other muscle in the body we can make it stronger by exercise and conditioning.
What is the Cardiovascular system?
The Cardiovascular system is the system that circulates blood throughout the body. It is often referred to as the circulatory system. The primary organ responsible for the circulation of blood is the heart.
How does cardiovascular fitness benefit the body?
The Cardiovascular system is an intregal part of almost every part of the body. Therefore, the benefits of cardiovascular fitness go beyond simply strengthening the heart. There is a direct effect that this type of exercise has on the mental processes because of the increased blood flow. When you exercise regularly there is also an increase in the number of red blood cells which the body uses to transport oxygen throughout the body.
What type of excercises strenghten the cardiovascular system?
There are basically two types of excercises. There are aerobic exercises and anaerobic exercises. Aerobic excercises are those which involve the larger muscles and lasts a long enough period of time to increase the bodies need for oxygen and it is this type of exercise which is essential to strenghtening the cardiovascular system. Therefore, appropriate forms of cardiovascular exercise are running, aerobics, vigorous walking, cycling and some sports if played actively enough. The key is to choose something that you can enjoy if at all possible. The more pleasurable the activity is, the more likely you are to continue doing it.
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