Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 3

Outline the cardiac cycle and the associated electrical activity recorded via the electrocardiogram.

Step 1 of 3

The repeating pattern of contraction and relaxation of the heart is called cardiac cycle. The heart has a two step pumping action. The right and left atria contract simultaneously to pump the blood into the ventricles. Followed by the atrial contraction, the ventricles also contract to pump the blood into pulmonary and systemic circuits.