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

Exercise 6

Discuss respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis. What would happen to blood pH if an individual began to hyperventilate at rest? Why?

Step 1 of 2

During high intensity exercise and bouts of exercise, the body produces a large amount of H+ ions through its metabolic activities. Repeated bouts may lower the blood pH to 6.8, the condition is called metabolic acidosis.

The intracellular proteins of the muscles account for about 60% of the buffering activity, and the remaining from the bicarbonate and phosphate buffers. However, the buffering ability of the muscle is limited and relies on other mechanisms to resist changes in pH.