An Olympic sprinter has prepared for his event at 1.7km above sea level by train

Question

An Olympic sprinter has prepared for his event at 1.7km above sea level by training for 4 weeks at this altitude. Describe the ways the body will adjust its oxygen carrying capacity and efficiency in this athlete during the training time. Describe in detail how carbon dioxide produced in his quadriceps muscle during the race is transported in the blood and go on to describe the route from the muscle to the point where carbon dioxide is ultimately exhaled into the atmosphere. When he has completed the 200m race (at sea level) you measure his blood pressure over the course of 30 minutes immediately after the race, and find that it eventually goes back to normal levels. Explain why his blood pressure would have increased and why it would return back to normal levels, go on to comment on what factors would regulate these changes.

Explanation / Answer

Most of the sprinters practice at high altitudes before the competition. This results in increased mass of red blood cells and hemoglobin or alters muscle metabolism. The high concentration of RBC remains constant for 10 to 14 days, thus this condition advantageous for sprinters during competition at lower altitudes.

The high concentration of RBC increases the oxygen carrying capacity. The increased oxygen helps to degrade more glucose and produce ATP that supports the sprinter during competition. The produced carbon dioxide in the quadriceps muscle is released into atmosphere by the hemoglobin.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.