Applied anatomy and physiology
What's covered
Key facts
Blood
Blood doping artificially raises red blood cell count and haematocrit (e.g. via reinfusion or EPO), boosting the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.
Cardiovascular system
The lower aerobic training threshold is about 60% of maximum heart rate; 60% of a 200 bpm max HR is 120 bpm.
Energy systems
A 400 m race is fuelled mainly by the anaerobic systems, largely the lactic acid system.
Muscular system
The abdominal muscles flex the trunk and stabilise the core.
Respiratory system
Air travels nose/mouth → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli.
Skeleton and joints
Abduction is movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
Blood
Blood has four main components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.
Cardiovascular system
The aorta is the main artery carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.
Energy systems
For prolonged low-intensity exercise the aerobic system uses primarily fats (fatty acids), with some glucose.
Muscular system
During elbow flexion the biceps is the agonist (prime mover): it contracts and shortens to bend the elbow.
Practice questions with answers
A taste of the 157 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
What are the four main components of blood?
- •Arteries, veins, capillaries and plasma
- •Haemoglobin, fibrin, plasma and lymph
- •Oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose and platelets
- ✓Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma
What is the formula for cardiac output?
- •MAP × TPR
- ✓SV × HR
- •TV × RR
- •VO2 max ÷ HR
What is the creatine phosphate system?
- •Aerobic system converting glucose to ATP using oxygen
- ✓High-intensity anaerobic system using stored creatine phosphate for energy
- •Lactic acid system producing ATP from glycolysis over several minutes
- •System using fat stores to generate ATP for low-intensity exercise
What is a fixator muscle?
- ✓A muscle that stabilises a joint so the agonist can work effectively
- •Muscle that assists the prime mover to produce movement
- •Opposing muscle that lengthens as the agonist contracts
- •Prime mover generating the main force during a joint action
Which muscles contract to draw air in during inspiration?
- •The abdominal muscles only
- ✓The diaphragm and external intercostals
- •The diaphragm and internal intercostals
- •The internal intercostals only
Which of the following is an example of a flat bone?
- •Carpals
- •Femur
- ✓Sternum
- •Vertebra
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