Final answer:
The acute response to exercise involves activation of different energy systems for ATP production, depending on the intensity and duration of the activity. It also elicits an autonomic nervous system response that shares similarities with the fight-or-flight response. These responses are essential for adaptation to the energy requirements and for maintaining homeostasis during physical exertion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acute response to exercise involves different energy systems that produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of cells. For instance, a sprinter relies on a rapid energy system that quickly generates ATP without oxygen (anaerobic metabolism), such as the phosphagen system. In contrast, a marathon runner depends on a slower, more sustainable energy system that requires oxygen (aerobic metabolism), like the oxidative phosphorylation system.
During exercise, the autonomic nervous system also prompts various physiological changes. These include an increase in heart rate, deeper breathing, activation of sweat glands, and reduced digestive activity. Such changes are characteristic of the fight-or-flight response, albeit triggered by the exercise instead of a threat. Physical exercises engage both anabolic (building up) and catabolic (breaking down) processes, central to maintaining homeostasis and adapting to physical demands.
Examples of different types of tissues that respond to the nervous system during exercise on a treadmill include: skeletal muscle tissue contracting to move limbs, cardiac muscle working harder to pump blood, and smooth muscle in blood vessels reacting to regulate blood flow. These responses illustrate how the body's energy systems and autonomic nervous system adapt to the demands of physical exercise.