Chapter 7 Notes

Fundamentals of Anatomy And

Physiology In Sports
Anatomy

Anatomy is a branch of biology that studies the human body structure. Anatomy
provides us with the details of human structure, its shape, and interrelationships
with various parts of the body.

It includes all body parts, starting with your head to your toes. It teaches about how
every part of your body works together. You have a brain that tells you what to do,
muscles for movement, bones to keep you strong, and many more.

Physiology

Physiology is the science that studies the functions of various organs and systems,
their relationship with other organs, and their effects. Physiology is the science of the
mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of human organs and cells.

It encompasses everything from how your muscles contract to your liver’s production
of bile. It is the study of heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and more.
Physiologists are scientists who study anatomy, bones, muscles, ligaments, organs,
joints, circulation systems, etc.

Importance of Anatomy And Physiology

 Both are important branches of biology and provide us knowledge of

our body.
 Anatomy helps us to understand our by structures properly
 Physiology helps to understand the functioning of various organs and
systems with their working
 These subjects help us to understand the role and functioning of
various organs
 Good understanding of these subject helps to overcome health
problems with their knowledge
  These subjects help the individual to improve the efficiency of various
systems
 These subjects help to understand the cause of health problems and
guide us to overcome

Importance of Anatomy And Physiology In

Exercise And Sports
1. Understanding anatomy helps athletes and fitness enthusiasts to know their
body’s structure, such as muscles, bones, and joints, which is vital for proper
movement and injury prevention during exercise and sports.

2. Knowledge of physiology is crucial as it explains how the body’s systems function

during physical activity, like how the cardiovascular system delivers oxygen to
muscles, and how the respiratory system supports breathing during intense
workouts.

3. Anatomy and physiology knowledge helps design effective training

programs tailored to individual needs and goals, optimizing performance and
minimizing the risk of injuries.

4. Athletes can identify weak areas and imbalances in their body through anatomical
knowledge, allowing them to focus on specific muscle groups and improve overall
strength and coordination.

5. Understanding the body’s physiological responses to exercise aids in enhancing

endurance, stamina, and recovery, leading to better sports performance and
prolonged fitness gains.

6. Injuries can be better managed and rehabilitated when athletes comprehend the
anatomical structures involved, leading to more efficient recovery and reduced
downtime.

7. Coaches and trainers can use anatomy and physiology principles to assess
athletes’ capabilities and provide targeted advice on technique and form, ensuring
safe and effective workouts.

8. Anatomy and physiology also play a role in understanding nutrition’s impact on

exercise and sports performance, as different nutrients support various physiological
functions during physical activity.
9. By grasping the connection between anatomy, physiology, and
exercise, individuals can maintain long-term health and well-being, making exercise
an integral part of a balanced lifestyle.

The Function of Skeleton System

Skeletal System

The skeletal system consists of bones and joints, which provide attachment to the
skeletal muscles. Proper functioning of skeletal and muscular systems improves the
efficiency of our body.

Functions of the Skeletal System

Protection: It protects our internal organs from injuries like the skull protects the
brain and the ribs protect the heart and lungs.

Movement: This system allows the body to move in many different ways.

Manufacture: Bone marrow, present inside of many bones, produces red blood cells,
white blood cells, and platelets.

Store: Bones store calcium, minerals, phosphorus, iron, potassium, which are very
important for bodily functions.

Support: Bones and cartilages provide support to our bodies.

Body shape: Skeletal system makes the correct shape for our body.

Act as a lever: Bones acts as a lever that provides movement of muscle

Classification of Bones
There are 206 bones present in our body. Bones are the hardest connective tissues
forming the skeletal.

Bones protect various organs of our body.

It produces red blood cells and white blood cells, stores many minerals. It also
provides structure and support to our body and enables movement.

Bones have different structures and size

 Long Bones: These bones are long and wide. They are found in legs and
arms, like the femur and humerous bones.
 Short Bones: They are short in size and cube-shaped. They are found in
wrist and phalanges.
 Flat Bones: Flat Bones have a broad surface, like scapula and sternum,
which protects our organs and attachments.
 Irregular Bones: These bones have an irregular shape like vertebrae,
skull, etc.
 Sesamoid Bones: These bones are embedded in tendons. They hold the
tendons like patella.
 Cartilaginous Bones: These bones are soft and flexible. They are found
in ears and nose.

Types Of Joints
Joints are the place where two or more bones meet at one point. Joints are three
types

Immovable or Fibrous Joint: These are fixed joints, there are no movements, like the
skull joint.

Slightly movable or Cartilaginous Joint: These joints are slightly movable like
vertebrae

Freely movable or Synovial Joints: These joints can move to a great extent. These
are covered by thin membranes and filled with synovial fluid which acts as a greasing
agent. These joints are of various types

 Ball and socket joint (Shoulder and Hip joint)

 Hinge joint (Elbow joint)
 Pivot joint (Neck joint)
 Gliding joint (Thumb joint)
 Sesamoid joint ( ball of the foot behind the big toe)
 Properties and Functions of Muscles
Properties of Muscles

Contractility: Every single movement of the body is a result of muscle contraction,

where muscle cells get shortened. Muscles can only pull, never push.

Excitability: It is the ability to respond to a stimulus, which is delivered from a motor

neuron or a hormone.

Extensibility: It is the ability of a muscle to be stretched, e.g. to flex the elbow, the
elbow extensor muscles must extend to allow flexion to occur.

Elasticity: It is the ability to bounce back to the muscle’s original length after being
stretched.

Functions of Muscles

 Provides Structure: Muscles provide the proper shape and structure of

individuals. It helps to maintain posture
 Provide effort: They worked as effort arm of the lever in body,
whereas bone act as Lever
 External movement: Muscles provide external movement to an
individual by contraction of skeletal muscles
 Help in fluid movement: Muscles also provide internal fluid movement
by contraction of smooth muscles
 Forceful actions: Muscles provide forceful movement of the body as
they help in strength, speed and endurance
 Provide protection: Skeletal muscles also protect our bones and other
internal organs
 Heart contraction: Cardiac muscle contracts the heart throughout life.

Respiratory System
Respiration is the process in which the exchange of gases takes place in the body.
Oxygen is brought into the body when we Inhale and carbon dioxide is given when
we exhale. Oxygen is essential for every cell and tissue in the body.
Parts of the Respiratory System

 Nose and nasal cavity

 Sinuses
 Mouth
 Throat (pharynx)
 Voicebox (larynx)
 Windpipe (trachea)
 Diaphragm
 Lungs
 Bronchial tubes/bronchi
 Bronchioles
 Air sacs (alveoli)
 Capillaries

Respiration is of two types:

External Respiration: Inhalation and exhalation are the processes of external

respiration. In this process, we inhale oxygen which goes to different parts of the
body, and exhale carbon dioxide which diffuses from the blood.

Internal Respiration: This process of respiration takes place in tissues and cells,
where oxygen gets used during energy production.

The metabolic reaction produces carbon dioxide which is carried away by the blood
to the lungs for purification through external respiration.

Mechanism of The Respiratory System

When we breathe in, muscles across the ribs contract, it pulls ribs upward and
sideward. At the same time, the muscles of the diaphragm contract and flatten.

Thus, the size of the lungs increases, and there is an increase in volume. Due to this
process, low pressure develops in the lungs, so air gets inside through the nose.

Breathing out occurs when the muscles of the diaphragm and ribs relax. By this
process, space is reduced and there is a decrease in volume of lungs, thus high
pressure develops in the lungs so air is pushed out.
 Structure And Functions of Circulatory System
And Heart
Structure of Circulatory System
The circulatory system consists of a heart, blood vessels, arteries, capillaries, veins,
and blood. The heart acts as a pumping organ and is located slightly on the left side
of the chest.

It is approximately a size of a fist. Our Heartbeats are about 72 times per minute at a
normal level in an adult. The heart has four chambers. In the upper two parts known
as auricles, there is a collection of blood.

In the lower two chambers known as ventricles, the blood is pumped out. This
complex organ works with the proper coordination of its valves like tricuspid,
bicuspid, aortic, pulmonary valves, etc.

The heart can respond immediately, during a physical workout. Maximum heartbeats
go up to 220 beats per minute during a physical workout.

Blood: Blood is a special kind of fluid, which acts as a medium of transporting

nutrients and gases from one part of a body to another.

It also acts as a means of communication by conveying chemical messages to various

organs and tissues.

Blood consists of Plasma, Red Blood cells, White Blood cells, Leukocytes,
Thrombocytes, and Platelets. There are approximately 5 liters of blood present in an
adult.

Heart Rate: It is the number of contractions in one minute, which is about 72 times
per minute.

Stroke Volume: It is the volume of blood pumped out in one beat, which is about 80
ml/beat in a normal adult.

Cardiac output: It is the amount of blood pumped out in one minute.

Blood Pressure: It is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of blood vessels. It
has two types:
Systolic: It is the upper pressure, which is 120mm/Hg in a normal adult.

Diastolic: It is the lower pressure, which is 80mm/Hg in a normal adult.

Structure And Functions of Heart

Structure of the Heart

 The heart is a muscular organ located in the chest cavity, slightly tilted
to the left.
 It is roughly the size of a closed fist and is protected by the ribcage.
 The heart consists of four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and
two ventricles (lower chambers).
 The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body
and pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation.
 The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and
pumps it to the rest of the body.

Functions of the Heart:

Pumping Blood:

The primary function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. The left
ventricle is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to various tissues and organs,
while the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.

Oxygenation:

The heart works in coordination with the lungs to ensure that oxygen is transported
from the lungs to the rest of the body. Oxygenated blood from the lungs enters the
left atrium and is then pumped to the body by the left ventricle.

Deoxygenation:

Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium and is pumped to the
lungs for oxygenation by the right ventricle.

Valves:
The heart has four valves – the tricuspid valve, the pulmonary valve, the mitral valve
(bicuspid valve), and the aortic valve. These valves prevent the backflow of blood and
ensure the one-way flow of blood through the heart.

Electrical Conduction:

The heart has its electrical conduction system that controls the heart’s rhythm. It
initiates and coordinates the contractions of the heart muscles, ensuring an
organized and efficient pumping action.

Circulation:

The heart is responsible for maintaining the continuous circulation of blood through
the circulatory system, providing oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells and
removing waste products.

Regulation:

The heart rate is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which adjusts the
heart’s speed and force of contraction based on the body’s needs and activities.

Blood Pressure:

The heart plays a role in regulating blood pressure by adjusting the force with which
blood is pumped into the arteries.

Overall, the heart’s structure and functions are vital for maintaining the body’s
oxygen supply, removing waste products, and ensuring the proper functioning of
various organs and tissues.

Equilibrium, Centre of Gravity

Equilibrium:

Equilibrium is a condition in which forces cancel one another. It is a condition in

which influences are canceled by others; resulting in a stable, balanced, or
unchanged system. Equilibrium provides balance and stability.

It is of two types:

Static Equilibrium: When the body is at rest or motionless

Dynamic Equilibrium: All applied forces acting on the moving body are in balance,
resulting in movement with unchanging speed or direction.

Centre of Gravity:

The stability of an athlete depends upon the center of gravity. It is exactly in the
middle of the body around which a body can rotate freely in any direction and where
the weight of the body is centered.

The Centre of gravity is located at the point along the midline of the body. Lower the
CG more is the stability.

Application in sports:

● In wrestling, a player who lowers his center of gravity by expanding his legs gets
more stability.

● In weightlifting, players widen their base by keeping feet apart, which provides
more stability and balance.

● During landing, the player bends their legs which provides fast control of stability,
this process also reduces the chances of injuries from the impact.