FITNESS FAQ 2 - All About Physical Fitness
By Dr. Myles H. Bader
WHAT ARE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES IN ATHLETES BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUALITY
One of the most obvious and important differences between the sexes in regard to sports performance and fitness is the ratio of strength to weight, which after puberty is greater in the male. This factor is important in activities in which the weight is supported by the relatively small muscles of the arms and shoulder girdles as in gymnastics. It must also he considered in exercises where the mass of the body must be rapidly accelerated, as in jumping.
Digestive System: Exercise acts as a release mechanism, cutting down the risk of an ulcer being produced. Conditioned people generally produce less stomach acid and thus reduced peak levels of over-acidity. Exercise aids the muscles of the digestive tract in moving waste material, thus increasing activity of the bowels and reducing the possibility of constipation. As a rule of thumb exercise, which produces no discomfort helps digestion, and exercise, which promotes discomfort delays it.
Heart: Two areas are affected: The heart tissue and the heart rate. Increased vascularization is one of the most important benefits of training and fitness. The conditioned heart will beat more slowly because it pumps more blood with each stroke. Also, the conditioned heart will hold near maximum rates for longer periods of time before fatigue sets in. In addition, there is a built-in degree of protection against uncontrolled emotional crisis by increasing the heart’s reserve power to meet emergency needs.
Urinary System: Strenuous exercise shunts the blood to the actively working muscles and skin. This affects the circulation of blood in the kidneys. If exercise is very vigorous, it may cause reduced oxygen supply to the kidney cells beyond that seen in normal functioning kidneys. Severe exercise exerts an anti-diuretic effect. ie: a decrease in urine output.
Vigorous exercise causes an increase in temperature, perspiration, and respiratory loss of water. Thus, to keep the electrolyte balance, the kidneys will limit its output.
Lymphatic System: This system works through tubes, which have a series of one-way valves. Since this system has no pump (such as the heart), it is necessary to activate this system through proper exercise. With toxins and poisons removed via the functioning of the lymphatic system through proper exercise, cells of the body are free to function as they art supposed to function.
Musculoskelatal System: Exercise improves the circulation in the muscles. As a result, the muscles become well nourished and developed. Well-developed muscles are more able to resist severe stresses and fatigue. The greatest protection to ligaments and joints is afforded by the strength of the muscles. With exercise, the ligaments become stronger and the joints are more flexible. The resistance to movement can be significantly reduced in both the old and the young. Bones develop more strongly with stress and pressure stimulation exerted by the muscles.
The reason for the poorer strength-weight ratio is the smaller proportion of muscle in relation to a larger amount of fat tissue in the female. The larger stores of fatty tissue, however, result in better buoyancy for swimming and lesser heat losses to cold water, which is an advantage the female has over the male.
Not only are the proportions of various tissues different in the female, but even the chemical constituents within each tissue are different. A structural difference that has important physiological implications for athletic performance is the difference in the ratio of heart weight to body weight in the sexes. From the age of 10 to 60, the average value for women is only 85% of the value for men. After age 60 the average value for women and men is about the same.
Blood Constituents: Men have been noted to have about 15% more hemoglobin per 100 ml of blood and about 6X more red blood cells per cubic mm. This combination tends toward greater oxygen carrying capacity for men.
Microcirculation: When the reddening of the skin in reaction to ultraviolet radiations is used as a measure of capillary function, men were found superior throughout the entire age range. The resistance of the capillary wall to breakdown from mechanical manipulation was also found to be greater in the male. This is probably a reason for greater susceptibility to bruises in the female.
