Metabolism and Exercise

Anaerobic metabolism has vast effects on the body during exercise. At 90-100% oxygen consumption the body burns mostly carbohydrates and very little fat. This is why extreme anaerobic exercises are not recommended for burning fat. Fat is primarily burned at about 20% oxygen consumption. As movement and exercise intensity increases the body’s core and peripheral systems go through very different changes. The core systems stay consistent while the peripheral system is compromised. Blood pH stays at 7.4 until about 90% oxygen consumption. Ventilation steadily increases with oxygen consumption linearly until about 80% where it rises rapidly. Venous oxygen tends to decrease gradually as oxygen consumption increases while arterial oxygen stays consistent the entire time. The distribution of oxygen also changes when exercising. At rest a vast majority of the blood goes to the brain and the kidneys. Meanwhile during activity 85% of the blood supply goes to skeletal muscles.