Effects of exercise on the muscles

Effects of exercise on the muscles

1. Short Term Effects

   • Increase in muscle temperature
     • Due to the chemical reactions producing heat.
     • Warms up your muscles in preparation for exercise.
     • Reduces chances of injury.
   • Fatigue
     • Ability to use oxygen is less efficient.
     • Muscles demand more oxygen to finction.
   • Build up of lactic acid
     • Due to oxygen debt.
     • Stored on the working muscles.
     • Causes fatigue.
     • During aerobic respiration.
   • Glycogen stores released
     • In the muscles from the liver.
     • Causes increase in glucose levels.
     • Increases energy availability.
   • Increased demand for oxygen
     • More oxygen is needed to produce glucose.
     • Can cause and oxygen debt.

2. Long Term Effects

   • Muscular Hypotrophy
     • Only with training.
     • Muscles get bigger and stronger.
     • Requires sustained exercise.
     • Requires adequate rest.
     • Beneficial in weightlifting to help lift heavier weights with ease and outlift competitors.
   • Improved muscular endurance
     • Requires sustained exercise.
     • Allows muscles to work for longer without fatigue.
     • Beneficial in long distance events as fatigue is offset for longer, allowing the runner to work harder for longer.
   • Strengthening of areas around joints
     • Such as tendons.
     • Decreases risk of injury.
     • Allows harder training sessions.
   • Increased myoglobin stores
     • Gives more protein to the muscles.
     • Aids the transportation of oxygen.
     • Benefits marathon runners, better supply of oxygen to the muscles offsetting the chance of oxygen debt and lactic acid.