In: Anatomy and Physiology
With reference to both the parasympathetic and sympathetic arms, comment on the autonomic nervous system activity changes that allow heart rate to rise from approximately 60 bpm at rest to >150 bpm during strenous exercise.
Autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
During exercise, heart rate increases due to increased stimulation of sympathetic system and decreased stimulation of parasympathetic system.
Increased stimulation of sympathetic system causes -
1)stimulation of heart - which causes increase in rhythmicity of sino-atrial node leading to increase in heart rate.
2)stimulation of adrenal medulla - which releases epinephrine and nor-epinephrine into the blood.
These epinephrine and nor-epinephrine causes increase in myocardial contraction which leads to increase in heart rate and stroke volume.
Decreased stimulation of parasympathetic system causes- decrease in vagal activity.
Normally, increase in vagal activity causes decrease in heart rate due to decrease in rate of impulse generation by sino-atrial node.
So, decreased vagal activity causes increase in heart rate.