[Latest] Physiology And Injuries in Sports | Chapter 7 Notes 2026

Last updated on February 6th, 2026 at 01:24 pm

Physiology And Sports

Physiology and sports are about improving performance by knowing how our body works during exercise. By using scientific principles we can train our bodies in a better and effective way.

Our body has a complex function of various body systems. We need proper functioning of various systems, which makes us more efficient.

Physiology deals with the function of the body system and its effects. Through regular exercise, the physiological function of the body system can be improved and thus body efficiency increases a lot.

physiology and sports

Physiological Changes Determining Components of Fitness

Physiological Factors Determining Strength

Strength is the ability to overcome resistance.

  • Muscle Covering: The sarcolemma covering increases the muscle cross-sectional area and helps in the strength component
  • Size of the muscle: Every muscle is of different size. Long muscles have more potential to generate strength as compared to small muscles.
  • Muscular contraction: Concentric and Eccentric muscular contraction regulate our muscular action in a controlled manner
  • Neuromuscular response: Impulses produced by Nervous System controls muscle contraction.
  • White muscle fibers: White muscle fibers have more connective tissues and they bring fast and strong contraction
  • Age: Strength of muscles is maximum in age between 20- 40 years
  • Gender: Males have more strength as compared to females.

Physiological Factors Determining Endurance

Endurance is the ability to resist fatigue

  • Maximum Oxygen Intake ( VO2 Max ): More amount of oxygen taken up and utilized during exercise will improve endurance capacity
  • Pulmonary Diffusion: It is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood. More and faster this diffusion improves endurance
  • Cardiac Output: Ability of the heart to pump out in one minute. More output helps to circulate blood to working tissues, thus endurance is enhanced
  • Lactic acid tolerance: More lactic acid tolerance delays fatigue and tiredness, which improves endurance
  • Energy reserve: The endurance capacity depends upon the muscle glycogen and sugar level. More energy reserve enhances endurance capacity
  • Red muscle fiber: The red muscle fiber ( slow twitch muscle fiber) can carry more oxygen, thus helping Aerobic endurance.

Physiological Factors Determining Speed

Speed is the ability to do work at a faster rate

  • Fast twitch muscle fiber: The greater the percentage of fast twitch fiber faster the speed
  • Neuromuscular response: The higher and faster the neuromuscular response, the faster and stronger the muscular contraction, which increases the speed
  • Flexibility: The higher the range of movement determines the higher speed.
  • ATP energy store: The more ATP ( Phosphagen) stored, the faster the energy release, which helps to improve the speed

Physiological Factors Determining Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability of joints to move in the maximum range.

  • Joint structure: The Joint is attached to various muscles, ligaments, cartilages, and tendons, which makes the joint strong and flexible.
  • Ligament Elasticity: The ligament connects two bones.  More the elasticity of the ligament, the greater the flexibility of the joints
  • Age and gender: Flexibility decreases as the age progresses. Females are more flexible than males.
  • Diseases: Many types of diseases and injuries affect flexibility. 

Physiological Factors Determining Coordinative Ability

Coordination is the ability to perform smooth, accurate, and efficient movements. It involves:

  • Sensory input (information received from senses like vision and proprioception-awareness of body position)
  • Motor response (activation of muscles in response to sensory signals)
  • Balance (ability to maintain body position)
  • Rhythm (timing and flow of movement patterns)
  • Timing (execution of movement at the correct moment)

Coordination is essential in sports like gymnastics, badminton, and football, where precision, timing, and spatial awareness are critical.

Effect of exercises on various systems

Exercises are an integral part of our life. It increases various demands on our body, as a result, our body starts compensating demand by increasing muscle tissues and neural connections.

Exercises Physiology optimizes our body’s cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, muscular, and endocrine systems.

Effect On Cardiovascular System

  • Increase the size of the heart: With regular exercises enlargement of the heart takes place, as a result, stroke volume increases.
  • Increase Cardiac Output: Exercises increase the Cardiac output which increases the blood flow. More blood is pumped out
  • Resting Pulse Rate Decrease: Regular exercises decrease the resting Pulse Rate, and as a result heart gets more resting time
  • Increase in hemoglobin: Exercises increase hemoglobin content in blood, which can carry more oxygen
  • Decrease Blood Pressure: Regular exercises decrease blood pressure by up to 10mm Hg at rest
  • Faster healing: The increased blood circulation makes healing faster
  • Reduction in Cholesterol: Exercises reduce cholesterol levels in the blood which reduces heart attack risk
  • New Capillaries are formed: Regular exercises develop new Capillaries. This brings more blood to working tissues.
  • Return to normal pulse quickly: The pulse returns to normal quickly 

Effect on Respiratory System

  • Increase in tidal volume: With regular exercises tidal volume and vital capacity of the lung increase, by which more oxygen reaches working tissues.
  • Increase in Aerobic Endurance: With regular exercise less amount of lactic acid is produced which results from delayed fatigue
  • Decrease in rate of respiration: Regular exercises decrease respiration during rest
  • Improves Metabolic System: Exercises increase metabolic reaction for energy production with less consumption of oxygen.
  • Respiratory muscles become strong: The respiratory muscles become strong to work for a longer duration
  • Resistance power increases: Regular exercise improves our immune system, thus common health problems like colds, coughs, Asthma, etc can be prevented
  • Increase in Residual Air Volume: Residual Air is the amount of air left in the lungs after exhalation. Exercises increase Residual Air capacity.
  • Increase the number of Alveoli: Exercises increase the number of Alveoli and activate unused alveolus 

Effect on the Muscular System

  • Change in shape and size of muscle: Regular exercises change the shape and size of muscle, thus improving muscular capacity.
  • Faster recovery from injury: Trained muscle can recover from injury fast
  • Formation of more Capillaries: Exercises increase the number of Capillaries, which helps faster blood circulation
  • Delays fatigue: Regular exercises increase the ability of muscles to tolerate more lactic acid for a longer duration, which delays muscle tiredness.
  • Faster response: In trained muscle, the stimulus travels faster, thus muscle actions and responses are faster.
  • Efficient use of diet: Trained muscles can efficiently use all nutrients
  • Desired strength development: Systematic and scientific training can develop the desired strength and endurance
  • Better Neuromuscular Coordination: Regular exercises improve the neuromuscular coordination by which various skills can be performed efficiently
  • Increase in Aerobic and anaerobic endurance: Trained muscles have more Aerobic endurance, therefore, the capacity of muscles increases to work for a longer duration without fatigue

Physiological Changes Due to Aging

As we age, our bodies undergo several physiological changes that are a natural part of the aging process. These changes affect various systems and functions, leading to differences in how we feel and function as we get older. Here are some common physiological changes due to aging:

Cardiovascular system: The heart may pump less efficiently, and blood vessels can become less flexible, leading to decreased blood flow and potential increases in blood pressure.

Musculoskeletal system: Muscle mass and strength tend to decrease, while joints may become stiffer and less flexible, making movement more challenging.

Respiratory system: Lung capacity might decrease, leading to reduced overall lung function and possible shortness of breath during physical activities.

Nervous system: Nerve cells may decline in number, impacting cognitive functions such as memory and processing speed.

Digestive system: The digestive process might slow down, leading to potential issues with nutrient absorption and digestion.

Sensory systems: Vision and hearing can be affected, leading to changes in eyesight and difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds.

Immune system: The immune response might weaken over time, making older adults more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

Endocrine system: Hormone production and regulation can change, affecting various bodily functions and metabolism.

Skin: The skin becomes thinner and less elastic, leading to wrinkles, dryness, and an increased risk of skin injuries.

Sleep: Sleep patterns can change, with older adults experiencing more frequent awakenings during the night.

It’s important to note that while these changes are normal, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and staying mentally and socially active, can help mitigate some of the effects of aging and promote overall well-being.

Sports Injuries

physiology and sports

In sports, injuries are common and they can occur to anyone and at any time. Injury causes damage to any internal and external parts, which affects the health of individuals. It can be classified as:

Soft Tissue Injuries: Skin injuries and muscle injuries

Hard Tissue Injuries: Fracture and dislocation

Soft Tissue Injuries

A soft tissue injury is damage to the body’s connective tissues-muscles, tendons. ligaments, and skin-caused by trauma, overuse, or sudden movement during physical activity.

a. Abrasion

Superficial skin damage due to friction or scraping. Example: Sliding on rough ground during football

Symptoms: Redness, raw skin, minor bleeding 

Treatment: Clean wound, apply antiseptic, cover with sterile dressing

b. Contusion

Deep tear in the skin caused by blunt trauma with irregular, jagged wound edges.  Example: Injury from falling onto a sharp-edged hurdle during athletics

Symptoms: Bleeding, visible tissue damage, irregular wound edges

Treatment: Clean thoroughly, apply antiseptic, stitches if deep, sterile dressing

d. Laceration

Deep, irregular tear in skin caused by blunt equipment injury trauma. Example: Fallon uneven surface or field

Symptoms: Bleeding, jagged wound edges, tissue damage

Treatment: Clean thoroughly, apply dressing or stitches if needed

Note: Lacerations often involve more tissue damage than incisions

e. Incision

Clean, straight cut caused by sharp object. Example: Injury from sports gear or surgical procedure

Symptoms: Bleeding, neat wound edges

Treatment: Sterilization, suturing, sterile dressing

Note: Incisions are cleaner and easier to treat than lacerations

f. Sprain

Stretching or tearing of ligaments (connect bones at joints). Example: Twisting ankle during landing

Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, limited movement.

Grades: Grade I: Mild stretch, Grade II: Partial tear, Grade III: Complete tear 

Treatment: PRICE protocol, physiotherapy, bracing

f. Strain

Stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons (connect muscles to bones). Example: Overexertion during sprinting or lifting

Symptoms: Muscle pain, spasms, weakness 

Grades: Grade I: Mild pull, Grade II: Partial tear, Grade III: Complete rupture

Treatment: Rest, ice, gentle stretching, rehabilitation

First Aid and Management of Soft Tissue Injuries

Fitness

The treatment referred to as PRICER

P = Protection, R = Rest, I = Ice, C= Compression,

E = Elevation, R= Rehabilitation

Protection: Protect the injured area from further damage. This might involve stopping the activity that caused the injury, or using crutches, a sling, or a brace to support the injured limb.

Rest: Limit movement and rest the injured area. While complete immobilization is generally not recommended for prolonged periods, initial rest helps prevent further injury and allows the healing process to begin.

Ice: Apply ice to the injured area for 10-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, for the first 48-72 hours. Use a barrier (like a cloth) between the ice and skin to prevent ice burns. Ice helps reduce pain and swelling.

Compression: Apply an elastic bandage or compression wrap to the injured area. This helps to control swelling. Ensure the bandage is snug but not too tight, as it should not cut off circulation.

Elevation: Elevate the injured limb above the level of the heart whenever possible. This uses gravity to help reduce swelling by promoting fluid drainage away from the injury site.

Rehabilitation: Perform some exercise to regain strength

Hard Tissue Injuries

( Bones and joint injuries)

Dislocation

It is a joint injury. In this injury, the ends of bones are forced out from the normal position. This type of injury is very painful, it temporarily deforms and immobilizes your joints. Dislocation is most common in the shoulders and fingers.

A dislocation occurs in contact sports or sports which involves falls like gymnastics, wrestling, football, etc.

  • Dislocation of the Shoulder joint: Dislocation of the Shoulder joint may occur due to a sudden jerk or fall on a hard surface. The end of the numerous comes out from the socket.
  • Dislocation of Wrist: A miscalculated landing can cause a dislocated wrist, especially when a person uses his hand to stop his fall.

Fracture

A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. Fracture types include:

a. Greenstick Fracture

Incomplete fracture where the bone bends and cracks, common in children.

Example: Fall during gymnastics.

Symptoms: Pain, swelling, limited movement.

Treatment: Immobilization, casting.

b. Comminuted Fracture

Bone breaks into three or more pieces.

Example: High-impact trauma in contact sports.

Symptoms: Severe pain, swelling, instability.

Treatment: Surgery, fixation, rehabilitation.

c. Transverse Fracture

Straight horizontal break across the bone.

Example: Direct blow during hockey or football.

Symptoms: Sharp pain, swelling, visible deformity.

Treatment: Casting, rest, physiotherapy.

d. Oblique Fracture

Diagonal break across the bone. Example: Twisting injury during running or pivoting.

Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising.

Treatment: Immobilization, possible surgery.

e. Impacted Fracture

One bone fragment is driven into another. Example: Fail from height or collision.

Symptoms: Shortened limb, pain, swelling.

Treatment: Surgical intervention, traction, rehabilitation

First Aid

First aid is the first help that is given to the wounded or accidental victim before taking him to the hospital. It is temporary and immediate care given to a victim of an accident or sudden illness.

Objectives of First Aid

To preserve life: Every possible effort is made to save the life of a wounded person with the help of First Aid.

To Alleviate pain: The major objective is to reduce unbear pain

To prevent the condition from worsening: It provides to prevent the condition from worsening before he gets the help of a doctor

To promote recovery: It is given to start the process of recovery as early as possible

Final Words:

From the above article, you have learned about physiology and sports injuries and their management. All topics related to physiology and injuries in sports chapter 7, are very informative, short, and crisp. Hope the above topics will help you to get good marks in your upcoming exam.

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