Think back to Rose’s story about her transition from being barely able to run one mile, to eventually running a marathon. What physiological adaptations took place that made this athletic feat possible?

Answer 1

Consistent athletic training allows several physiologic adaptations that are beneficial to your health to occur within the body. Once an individual begins to exercise, the phenomenon called “overload” happens, and the muscles hypertrophy, growing in size and strength. If the person chooses an endurance activity, then their mitochondria will proliferate and increase in size, improving ATP production and aerobic metabolism. Oxygen-related physiologic adaptations of exercise that are beneficial to the athlete and nonathlete are an expansion of blood vessels that allows efficient oxygen delivery and increased muscle tolerance for lactate that allows them to exercise longer before fatigue sets in. In addition, a few other physiologic adaptations include: 1) increased ability of the muscles to metabolize fatty acids for energy; 2) conservation of cellular glucose; 3) increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max); and 4) lowered resting heart rates.