Analyse the relationship between training thresholds and TWO physiological adaptations. In your answer, provide examples of both aerobic and resistance training. (8 marks)
--- 24 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
Show Answers Only
Overview Statement:
- Training thresholds represent critical intensity levels that trigger specific physiological adaptations.
- Understanding how aerobic and resistance thresholds connect to metabolic and muscular changes can open up pathways to enhanced athletic performance.
Aerobic Threshold and Cardiovascular Adaptations:
- The aerobic training threshold occurs at approximately 70% of maximum heart rate. Training at this intensity influences fuel utilisation and cardiovascular function.
- This causes the body to shift from primarily using fat to using carbohydrates for energy. For example, a marathon runner training at 70% max heart rate stimulates this metabolic adaptation.
- The threshold also triggers increased stroke volume through enhanced left ventricle filling capacity. This relationship results in improved cardiac output and oxygen delivery to working muscles.
- Consequently, athletes sustain effort over extended periods with greater efficiency. This shows that aerobic threshold training enables both metabolic and cardiovascular improvements for endurance performance.
Resistance Threshold and Muscular Adaptations:
- Resistance training thresholds involve working at 70-85% of one-rep maximum with 6-12 repetitions. This intensity creates sufficient mechanical stress to stimulate muscle hypertrophy.
- For instance, a weightlifter performing squats at 80% of 1RM bmicroscopic muscle fibre damage. This initiates increased protein synthesis and muscle repair processes.
- The threshold works through progressive overload that leads to enlarged muscle fibres with increased actin and myosin filaments. As a result, greater force production capacity develops.
- The significance is that athletes gain strength and power output essential for explosive movements.
Implications and Synthesis:
- These thresholds work together as intensity markers that determine adaptation type. Aerobic thresholds influence metabolic and cardiovascular systems whilst resistance thresholds affect muscular structure.
- Therefore, coaches must apply appropriate threshold intensities to achieve specific performance goals. This reveals that training success depends on understanding the precise relationship between intensity levels and resulting physiological changes.
Show Worked Solution
Overview Statement:
- Training thresholds represent critical intensity levels that trigger specific physiological adaptations.
- Understanding how aerobic and resistance thresholds connect to metabolic and muscular changes can open up pathways to enhanced athletic performance.
Aerobic Threshold and Cardiovascular Adaptations:
- The aerobic training threshold occurs at approximately 70% of maximum heart rate. Training at this intensity influences fuel utilisation and cardiovascular function.
- This causes the body to shift from primarily using fat to using carbohydrates for energy. For example, a marathon runner training at 70% max heart rate stimulates this metabolic adaptation.
- The threshold also triggers increased stroke volume through enhanced left ventricle filling capacity. This relationship results in improved cardiac output and oxygen delivery to working muscles.
- Consequently, athletes sustain effort over extended periods with greater efficiency. This shows that aerobic threshold training enables both metabolic and cardiovascular improvements for endurance performance.
Resistance Threshold and Muscular Adaptations:
- Resistance training thresholds involve working at 70-85% of one-rep maximum with 6-12 repetitions. This intensity creates sufficient mechanical stress to stimulate muscle hypertrophy.
- For instance, a weightlifter performing squats at 80% of 1RM bmicroscopic muscle fibre damage. This initiates increased protein synthesis and muscle repair processes.
- The threshold works through progressive overload that leads to enlarged muscle fibres with increased actin and myosin filaments. As a result, greater force production capacity develops.
- The significance is that athletes gain strength and power output essential for explosive movements.
Implications and Synthesis:
- These thresholds work together as intensity markers that determine adaptation type. Aerobic thresholds influence metabolic and cardiovascular systems whilst resistance thresholds affect muscular structure.
- Therefore, coaches must apply appropriate threshold intensities to achieve specific performance goals. This reveals that training success depends on understanding the precise relationship between intensity levels and resulting physiological changes.
♦♦ Mean mark 36%.