Final answer:
Acute responses to a single bout of exercise include increases in heart rate, breathing rate, and the fight-or-flight response that provide a burst of energy. Improvements in cognitive functions post-exercise and potential delayed onset muscle soreness with over-intense activities are also immediate responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examples of acute responses to a single bout of exercise include physiological changes that occur immediately during or after physical activity. During physical exercise such as running and swimming, your body undergoes various reactions. There is an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate to pump more oxygenated blood to the muscles and remove carbon dioxide and other byproducts like lactic acid. The fight-or-flight response can also be triggered, releasing adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that increase blood flow to muscles, elevate blood glucose, and sharpen mental focus, providing a burst of energy for the body to cope with a perceived threat or any life-or-death scenario. This physiological state is essential in situations requiring sudden action.
Regarding cognition, a single bout of aerobic exercise can lead to transient improvements in executive functions like attention, working memory, and problem-solving. These effects, however, are temporary and typically last for a period of up to 2 hours post-exercise. On the other hand, if exercise is too intense and not balanced with adequate rest, it can lead to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) characterized by microscopic tears in the muscles. Additionally, a consistent routine of aerobic exercise has beneficial effects on cognitive function and the immune system, representing the body's acclimatization to regular physical stressors as opposed to acute responses.