Effects of Exercise

EFFECTS OF EXERCISE

When a person takes part in exercise, their body systems provide energy for these activities. After regular exercise participation, these systems adapt to improve exercise performance.

There are two elements to analyse when looking at effects of exercise.


Immediate/short term effects of exercise relates to what happens to your body systems as soon as you start exercising and shortly after.


Long term effects of exercise relates to what happens to your body systems over a period of time. For example your 8 week personal fitness programme.

Short term effects of exercise

cardiovascular system

  • Stroke Volume Increases
  • Cardiac Output Increases
  • Heart Rate Increases
  • Blood Pressure Changes

muscular system

  • Muscle Elasticity Increases
  • Increase In Temperature Within The Muscle
  • Muscle Fatigue
  • DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)

respiratory system

  • Breathing Rate Increases
  • Tidal Volume Increases
  • Minute Ventilation Increases
  • Gaseous Exchange Increases

skeletal system

  • Joint Mobility Improves Through Warming Up

long term effects of exercise

Adaptation: The changes experienced in the body's systems as a result of long term training.

cardiovascular system

  • Heart becomes bigger and stronger (cardiac hypertrophy), and can therefore pump more blood around the body
  • Resting Heart Rate decreases
  • Recovery Time decreases
  • Maximum Cardiac Output Increases
  • Resting Stroke Volume Increases

muscular system

  • Muscular Hypertrophy
  • Muscular Strength Increases
  • Muscular Endurance Increases

respiratory system

  • Maximum Tidal Volume Increases
  • Maximum Minute Volume Increases
  • VO2 Max Increases
  • Vital Capacity Increases

skeletal system

  • Bones become denser and stronger
  • Weight Bearing Exercise Reduces the Risk of Osteoporosis
  • Tendons and Ligaments Become Stronger