Pulmonary changes during exercise
2,933views
Pulmonary changes during exercise
Respiratory system
Airflow and gas exchange
Anatomy and physiology
Breathing mechanics
Gas transport
Lung volumes and capacities
Physiologic adaptations of the respiratory system
Regulation of breathing
Key Takeaways
During exercise, the body's demand for the oxygen needed in cellular respiration increases, and this requires the body to do some adjustments. The cardiac output and pulmonary blood flow increase, while the pulmonary vascular resistance decreases. The result is an increased space of the lung that is perfused, which decreases physiologic dead space and increases oxygen delivery to exercising tissues. Furthermore, due to an increase in acid production and temperature, the hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen decreases, which favors the delivery of oxygen to tissue in need.