Long-Term effects of Exercise

Cardiovascular System

• Resting heart rate and blood pressure will drop as the system becomes more efficient.

• Cardiac hypertrophy will take place as the cardiac muscle of the heart becomes larger and stronger.

• Stroke volume and cardiac output will increase because the heart will be able to contract with more power.

• Capillarisation will take place resulting in an increased surface area in the body where the exchange of gases, nutrients and removal of waste products occurs.

Muscular Skeletal System

• Bone density levels will increase in the body.

• Bone strength will increase in the body.

• Muscle elasticity will increase which increases the mobility or range of movement at the joint, and reduces the likelihood of the sports performer suffering a muscle injury due to their improved flexibility.

Cardiorespiratory System

• Minute ventilation (amount of air being breathed in and out per minute) will increase.

• Breathing rate or breathing frequency (number of breaths per minute) will decrease.

• Tidal volume (the amount of air that passes in and out of the lungs during breathing) will increase.

• Hypertrophy of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles will take place.

Energy Systems

• The energy systems will become more efficient meaning they can produce more energy in exercise.

• Energy systems will demonstrate an increased tolerance to lactic acid, meaning the athlete can exercise for longer, at a higher intensity, before suffering from fatigue.

• An increased surface area in energy system thresholds meaning an athlete can operate for longer in the training zone for each system before fatigue causes them to stop exercising.