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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 occur in both the heart and the blood:
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Increased Heart Rate: As the swimmer engages in intense activity, the heart rate rises to supply more oxygen to the working muscles.
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Increased Stroke Volume: The amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat increases, facilitating enhanced blood circulation.
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Increased Cardiac Output: This is the total volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, which increases significantly during exercise to meet the metabolic demands.
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Enhanced Blood Flow to Working Muscles: Blood is redirected from non-essential organs to the muscles engaged in swimming, improving performance.
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Increased Blood Pressure: Due to the heart working harder, systolic blood pressure rises to enhance blood flow.
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Improved Oxygen Delivery: More oxygen is delivered to muscles due to increased heart activity and blood flow.
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Increased Lactate Levels: As the intensity of the exercise rises, lactic acid builds up in the muscles due to anaerobic respiration, contributing to fatigue.
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Vascular Shunt: There is a temporary redirection of blood flow towards active muscles, ensuring they receive sufficient nutrients and oxygen during the activity.
Step 2
What is meant by the term ‘muscular hypertrophy’?
Answer
Muscular hypertrophy refers to the increase in size or cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle fibers. This condition occurs when an individual engages in resistance training or other forms of physical conditioning that create microtrauma to muscle fibers, prompting the body to adapt by repairing and enlarging the muscle tissue.
Step 3
Describe other muscular benefits the six month training programme might have for the swimmer.
Answer
A six-month training programme can provide various muscular benefits for a swimmer:
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Increased Power and Strength: Through consistent resistance training, swimmers can improve muscle power which translates into better swimming performance.
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Increased Endurance: Training enhances both aerobic and anaerobic endurance, allowing the swimmer to perform longer without fatigue.
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Enhanced Flexibility: Regular stretching and strength training contribute to improved flexibility, allowing for a more effective stroke technique.
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Improved Muscle Recovery: Enhanced blood flow and nutrient delivery support quicker recovery from intense training sessions.
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Better Muscle Coordination: Training improves neuromuscular connections, enhancing overall coordination and technique in swimming.