Responses to Exercise

Sport Science Assignment


1. Briefly explain how each of the following may lead to fatigue:

• Lactic acid accumulation
• Restricted Blood Flow
• Redistribution of blood away from working muscles
• Depletion of energy stores

As more ATP is produced lactic acid accumulates in the muscle, making it feel tight and sore. Fatigue is caused by the lactic acid stopping the muscle contracting forcing a rapid drop in speed. The increased acidity from high levels of lactic acid interferes with the chemical reaction in the muscles, which produce energy. Lactic acid is toxic in large amounts. It is the primary cause of muscular fatigue in high-intensity activities. Build up of acid inside the muscle interferes with the contraction process.

Depletion of Carbohydrate energy stores leads to fatigue due to the body having to revert into its fat stores. More oxygen is required to convert fats into ATP, thus more energy is used and this results in fatig...