Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Physiology of Exercise and CPX Testing

Physiology of Exercise and CPX Testing
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the physiology of exercise including the role of cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the cardiovascular changes and respiratory changes that occur with exercise
• Explain the variety of respiratory changes that occur during exercise
• Explain the variety of energy sources used during exercise
• Recognise the integration between the body systems

Exercise is associated with major changes within the cardiovascular system (CVS), respiratory system (RS), neurohumoral and metabolic systems (Fig 1).

The CVS changes provide O2 delivery, CO2 removal and heat exchange. The respiratory changes ensure O2 uptake and CO2 removal, as the work rate increases (Fig 2).

Within muscle, the energy supply is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which can only support muscle contraction for a short time. Anaerobic glycolysis provides energy in the intermediate term, whilst aerobic glycolysis provides a long-term source of fuel.

Overall, increasing exercise results in a proportionally increased heart rate (HR), blood flow and respiratory rate which delivers oxygen and nutrients and removes waste products.