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Explain the short term effects on the heart and the blood of a swimmer performing a 100 m front crawl - OCR - GCSE Physical Education - Question 21 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 21
Explain the short term effects on the heart and the blood of a swimmer performing a 100 m front crawl. A swimmer who undergoes a six month training programme will e... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain the short term effects on the heart and the blood of a swimmer performing a 100 m front crawl - OCR - GCSE Physical Education - Question 21 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain the short term effects on the heart and the blood of a swimmer performing a 100 m front crawl.
Answer
When a swimmer performs a 100 m front crawl, several short term effects on the heart and blood occur:
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Increase in Heart Rate: The heart rate elevates to pump more blood, thus meeting the increased demand for oxygen during vigorous swimming.
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Increase in Stroke Volume: The amount of blood pumped per heartbeat increases, enhancing cardiac output to supply oxygen to the working muscles.
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Increased Cardiac Output: The combination of increased heart rate and stroke volume leads to a significant rise in cardiac output.
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Redistributed Blood Flow: Blood is directed away from non-essential organs to the working muscles, promoting efficient oxygen delivery.
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Rise in Blood Pressure: As a result of increased heart activity, blood pressure rises to facilitate greater blood flow to the muscles.
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Increase in Lactic Acid: The production of lactic acid may rise due to anaerobic activity, which can lead to muscle fatigue if not cleared efficiently from the blood.
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Vascular Shunt Mechanism: There’s a redistribution of blood flow through vasodilation to the muscles and vasoconstriction to non-active organs.
Step 2
(i) What is meant by the term ‘muscular hypertrophy’?
Answer
‘Muscular hypertrophy’ refers to the increase in the size of muscle fibers as a result of resistance training or physical activity. This process enhances the muscle's ability to generate force, leading to greater overall muscle power and strength.
Step 3
(ii) Describe other muscular benefits the six month training programme might have for the swimmer.
Answer
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Increased Power and Strength: Regular training enhances muscle power, enabling faster swimmers who can exert more force when pushing off the water.
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Improved Endurance: The training will increase muscular endurance, allowing the swimmer to sustain activity for longer periods without fatigue.
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Enhanced Flexibility and Range of Motion: The program may incorporate flexibility training, which can improve the swimmer's range of motion during strokes.
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Decreased Injury Risk: Strengthening the muscles can lead to better support structures around joints, reducing the likelihood of injuries.