1. Immediate Effects of exercise on the Respiratory System
What happens to the respiratory system as soon as we start exercising?
Breathing quickens and deepens: This increases the amount of oxygen taken into the lungs with each breath AND increases the removal of carbon dioxide.
Tidal volume increases.
Oxygen Debt occurs.
(GCSE PE: Unit 1.2.1)

2. Long Term Effects of exercise on the Respiratory System
What happens to the respiratory system after lots of training sessions?
Improved efficiency of the lungs: Lungs become more effective and allow better delivery of oxygen through the lungs (and into the blood).
Number of alveoli increase: More alveoli are created meaning more oxygen can be breathed into the lungs with every breath.
Capillarisation: More blood vessels are created around the alveoli so more oxygen can be absorbed into the blood.
Increased Vital Capacity.
(GCSE PE: Unit 1.2.1)

3. KEY TERMS Effects of exercise on the Respiratory System
OXYGEN DEBT: happens when you work ANAEROBICALLY.
Oxygen is needed by the red blood cells to give working muscles energy.
Some activities happen so quickly (eg sprinting) that oxygen cannot be supplied quickly enough through breathing .
This means, when you stop, you need to make up for this lack of oxygen (the debt) by taking big, gasping breaths.
TIDAL VOLUME: is the amount you breathe in and out in one normal breath.
VITAL CAPACITY: is the maximum volume of air that can be breathed out, after a deep breath in.
(GCSE PE: Unit 1.2.1)

4. Effects of smoking on the Respiratory System
What happens to the respiratory system if someone smokes alot?
Potential lead to diseases such as: bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancer.
It damages the alveoli: The walls of the alveoli get broken down meaning less oxygen can be diffused into the capillaries with each breath.
Increases blood pressure.
Effects exercise: Because alveoli are damaged and less oxygen is diffused there is less oxygen to send to the working muscles. This means the performer becomes tired and is unable to perform to a high ability.
(GCSE PE: Unit 1.2.1)