SKY VALLEY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SUBJECT- Physical Education

Class 12
Chapter 8- Physiology and Sports
Physiology
In physiology, we study how our organs, systems, tissues, cells and molecules within
cells work and how their functions are put together to maintain our
internarenvironment. “Physiology is the study of how the human body functions.”
Physiology is very essential to understand how to attain physical fitness in order to
enhance the performance in sports

Gender Differences In Physical Physiological Parameters

Physical Parameters Male Female

Shorte
Height Taller
r

Body Mass More Less

Body Fat More Less

Lean Body Mass Less More

Physical Fitness

Stronger
Less
due to
muscl
Strength greater
e
muscle
mass
mass

High due

to more

Endurance hemoglob Less

in and

VO2

Flexibility Less More

Coordination and Agility Less More

Muscular System
Muscle Mass More Less

Muscle Composition More Less 1

Longer,
Less
stronger
Bones and Ligaments strong
but poor
er
balance

but

better
Attachments
balanc

Cardiovascula

r System

Better Lower
Cardiac
cardiac cardiac
Output
output output
 Heart
Bigger Shorter
Size

Stroke
More Less
Volume

V02 Max More Less

Respiratory System

Lung
Bigger Smaller
Size

Tidal
More Less
Volume

Better due Lack in

Respirato
to more certain
ry
haemoglo paramete
Function
bin rs
 content

and VO2

Physiological Factors Determining Components of Physical Fitness

To understand the physiological factors, the components have to be understood.
The components of physical fitness are as follows

1. Muscular Strength One of the basic requirements for success in all

movements is muscular strength. It may be defined as the maximum force or
tension a muscle or a muscle group can exert against a resistance. The
development of strength is specific to the muscle or muscles involved in a
particular activity.
2. Power Power is the ability of the body to release maximum muscle contraction
in the shortest possible time.
3. Speed It is the rapidity with which one repeats successive movements of the
same pattern. It may also be defined as the ability of a person to move quickly
through a short distance.
4. Muscular Endurance It may be defined as the ability of a muscle or muscle
group to perform repeated contractions against a resistance / load or to
sustain contraction for an extended period of time with less discomfort and
more rapid recovery.
5. Agility It is the ability of the person to change direction while moving at or near
full speed. More specifically, agility is the ability of a person to change
direction or body position quickly (as fast as he can) and regain body control to
proceed with another movement.
6. Flexibility In general, flexibility is that quality of the muscles, ligaments and
tendons that enables the joints of the body to move easily through a complete
range of movement.
7. Size of the Muscle The size of the muscle determines the strength possessed
by an individual. Males have bigger and larger muscles due to which they have
more strength than females.
8. Body Weight There is a positive correlation between body weight and strength
among international weightlifters. So people who weigh heavier are stronger
and have more strength than people who are lighter.
9. Muscle Composition Muscles consist of two types of fibres i.e. fast twitch
fibres (white fibres) and slow twitch fibres (red fibres).
10. Intensity of the Nerve Impulse A muscle consists of many motor units. The
number of contracting motor units determines the total force.
11. Metabolic Power The metabolic power depends upon the energy supplied
through certain enzymes.
12. Aerobic Capacity The ability of a person to maintain adequate supply of
oxygen to the working muscles influences the endurance.
13. Joint Structure The joint structure of a person determines the range of
motions and hence level the flexibility of an individual.
 14. Age and Gender The age of a person as well as the gender determines the
level of flexibility. Flexibility decreases with advancement of age and females
are more flexible than males.

Effects of Exercise on Respiratory System

Many parameters of respiratory system get affected due to exercises. Effects of
exercise on respiratory system are

1. Lung Volume With endurance training, lung volume and lung capacity increase.
Vital capacity, which is maximal volume of air forcefully expelled is increased
after endurance training.
2. Breathing Frequency Breathing frequency is the number of breaths per minute.
After training, breathing frequency or respiratory rate is decreased.
3. Maximum Minute Ventilation Minute ventilation is the amount of air which is
inspired or expired in one minute. After training, maximum, as well as minute
ventilation is increased.
4. Tidal Volume Tidal volume, which is the amount of air inspired or expired per
breath, is – also increased as a result of endurance training,
5. Ventilatory Efficiency With physical exercises, particularly endurance training,
our ventilatory efficiency increases.
6. Pulmonary Diffusion Pulmonary diffusion is the exchange of gases taking
place in the alveoli (small air sacs in our lungs).

Long -Term Effects of Exercises

Exercises are good for the overall well-being of a person. The long-term effects of
exercises are as follows

• Increase in Heart Size

• Increase in Heart Rate
• Increase in Stroke Volume
• Decrease in Cholesterol Level
• Increase in Number and Efficiency of Capillaries
• Reduced Risk of Heart Diseases

Physiological Changes Due to Ageing

Some of the physiological changes accompanying the ageing process are

1. Muscle Size and Strength As an individual gets older, there is a decline in

muscle size. It is believed that this decline is due in part to a reduced amount
of protein as well as a decline in the number and size of muscle fibres. As
people get old, there is also a parallel decrease in the muscular strength.
2. Accumulation of Body Fat With advancing age, there is a general trend to
increase the accumulation of body fat. First of all, with advancing age there is
a decrease in one’s ability to release or mobilise stored fatty acids from
adipose tissues for energy.
3. Respiratory System There is good evidence to indicate that pulmonary
function is impaired with advancing age. The uptake and exchange of oxygen
reduces.
 4. Cardiovascular System A number of studies have shown that as individuals
get older, their overall heart size becomes, smaller. The left ventricular cavity
may especially decrease in size as a result of reduced activity and the reduced
physical demands of increased age.
5. Nervous System The nervous system is responsible for reactions and
movements. The brain’s weight, network of the nerves and blood flow
decrease with age due to which the reaction time and movement time also
slows down.
6. Bone Density Bone density decreases with increasing age, which means that
elderly people (especially those over 40 years of age) are much more prone to
bone injury than young people whose bones have reached full growth and
maturity.

Role of Physical Activity in Maintaining Function Fitness in Aged Population

Regular exercises are good to improve the efficiency of the body. It delays the onset
of fatigue, develops fitness levels and increases endurance. Regular physical activity
keeps the human body livelier, fitter and in better condition for long years before any
ageing sets in. Ageing is not a sudden, dramatic occurrence; rather it is a slow
process that prolongs over several decades. This process can be delayed with
regular physical activity.