GCSE Physical Education Blood, Stroke Volume and Cardiac Output

Safety/Risk in Sport Physical activity can be every beneficial to our long term health but we can also cause injury to ourselves during activity. We need to ensure we prepare properly, use proper equipment and follow the rules of an activity. Kit – Use the correct kit for the sport which is restrictive and helps performance. Protective Clothing – Vital in sports which have high risk. Equipment – Needs to be fit for use to ensure the equipment doesn’t hurt us or others. Facilities – The environment should be suitable for the activity and we should check for dangers within that environment continually.

The Blood Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. We have around 5.5. litres of blood circulating our bodies. The plasma is the liquid part of the blood which all the others travel in.

Red Blood Cells These are important to performers. They contain haemoglobin which allows us to carry oxygen around the body.

White Blood Cells These are also important to the performer. They seek out and destroy infections. They slide through the wall of blood vessels and attack bacteria. They keep us healthy.

Platelets They have a vital role in maintaining the health of sports performers. They aid/help with clotting. If you get a cut or a graze they put a plug in the whole of the skin to stop further bleeding.

Stroke Volume – The amount of blood pumped from the heart per a beat. This is the amount of blood pumped out by our ventricles in one beat. Our ventricles increase in size when we exercise and therefore stroke volume increases with exercise. Cardiac Output – The amount of blood pumped per a minute. Cardiac Output = HEART RATE X STROKE VOLUME