During the recording of the practical, I noticed that Lisa's pulse rate before the exercise was 65bpm which was a healthy adult resting rate. 5 minutes after exercising, her pulse rate increased to 100bpm, and 5 minutes prior to the end of the exercises, her pulse rate went up from 100bpm to 130bpm then to 150bpm, this was due to the fact that the exercise has speed up venous return and stroke volume and also the demand for oxygenated blood to the tissues of the body for energy release as well as to remove the built up of carbon dioxide which is the by-product of energy release.
In relation to the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, when an individual undertakes a strenuous exercise, more energy is demanded than can be provided by aerobic respiration since oxygen cannot be obtained rapidly enough. Some energy is temporarily obtained by anaerobic respiration which overdraws its energy supply. (GCSE Biology 1999). Also an increase in pulmonary ventilation rate is needed to supply the extra energy.
Pulmonary Ventilation Rate= Tidal Volume x Rate of Breathing:.
It was recorded 30 minutes after she stopped the exercises that her pulse reading went down to 95bpm and to 62bpm after 60 minutes. This was because after an individual stops exercising, the process of high demand for oxygenated blood starts to reverse; the blood vessel constricts to resume a normal flow of blood, the muscles stops demanding oxygen and stops creating metabolic waste. The heart rate and the pulse rate reduce to normal, and the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline also decreases the heart rate and the stroke volume. That was why Lisa's pulse rate returned to normal after she stopped exercising.
Lisa's breathing rate increased too because there was a huge demand of oxygen because oxygen is required for the release of ATP in the cell mitochondria, and the exhaling of carbon dioxide. Her sweating also increased because her body temperature was high due to the heat generated by the muscle contraction and release of energy from the body cells which enables the superficial blood vessels to dilate thereby getting rid of excess heat.
