Cardio-Respiratory System
The Cardio-Respiratory System
Understanding the Cardio-Respiratory System
- The cardio-respiratory system comprises two crucial systems of the human body – the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system.
- Cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, blood and blood vessels.
- Respiratory system includes parts that are involved in breathing like the nose, trachea, lungs and diaphragm.
- The primary function of the cardio-respiratory system is to transport oxygen, nutrients and hormones to cells throughout the body and eliminating waste products such as carbon dioxide.
Components of the Cardio-Respiratory System
- Heart - Acts as a pump, sending oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning deoxygenated blood back to the lungs.
- Blood Vessels - These include the arteries, veins and capillaries which act as the transport system for the blood around the body.
- Blood - It carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones and waste products.
- Lungs - Major organs responsible for oxygen intake and exchanging it for carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.
- Diaphragm - A muscle that contracts and relaxes to allow breathing, by changing the volume of the thoracic cavity.
Function of the Cardio-Respiratory System
- The cardio-respiratory system is responsible for delivering oxygen to muscles and the rest of the body, providing them with the energy to function.
- It also aids in removal of waste products, like carbon dioxide, AMMONIA and lactic acid, from the body.
- The cardio-respiratory system plays a vital role in maintaining body temperature by redistributing the heat produced during exercise.
- In the context of exercise and sport, the efficiency of the cardio-respiratory system becomes a vital factor in terms of endurance and performance levels.
Role of Cardio-Respiratory Fitness
- Good cardio-respiratory fitness ensures the efficient working of the heart and lungs.
- This can improve an individual's overall health, reducing the risk of developing conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
- It can also boost sports performance by allowing the body to use oxygen more effectively during periods of intense physical activity.
- Improved cardio-respiratory fitness can help in better recovery rate after bursts of exercise or matches.
- People with better cardio-respiratory fitness tend to have a lower resting heart rate and blood pressure.
Impact of Physical Activity on the Cardio-Respiratory System
- Regular physical activity can strengthen the cardio-respiratory system, build endurance and improve efficiency.
- Sport and exercise cause an increased need for oxygen in the muscles, which results in an increase in breathing and heart rate.
- Over time, repeated cardiovascular activity leads to a stronger heart, which improves heart efficiency and can lower resting heart rate.
- Physical activity also helps to maintain lung efficiency by forcing the respiratory system to work harder to meet the increased oxygen demand.