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Biology

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Anatomy and Physiology

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Blood Vessels and Circulation

How Exercise Changes Heart Function

Description

Exercise changes heart function and blood flow in several linked steps. Light to moderate activity starts with a small rise in heart rate before exercise begins. As skeletal muscles use more oxygen, blood vessels widen, peripheral resistance falls, capillary blood flow rises, and venous return speeds up. Venous return is the...

Transcript

Light to moderate physical activity starts a chain of interlinked cardiovascular responses in the body.

Initially, the heart rate slightly increases, preparing the body for physical strain. The increased oxygen demand by skeletal muscles causes vasodilation and a decrease in peripheral resistance.

This increases capillary blood flo...

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