Final answer:
Decreased pH of the blood will dramatically reduce exercise time, VO2 peak, and potentially produce abnormal nervous and endocrine responses. This condition can cause muscle fatigue and impair health, aligning with the importance of proper exercise patterns. Performance-enhancing drugs are unethical and prohibited due to their harmful effects on health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the impact of certain physiological factors on exercise time, VO2 peak (a measure of the maximum volume of oxygen that an individual can use), and nervous and endocrine system responses. The correct answer is b. decreased pH of the blood, which usually indicates increased acid levels in the body, often from the accumulation of lactic acid during intense exercise. This state, known as acidosis, can lead to reduced muscle performance and disrupt normal physiological functions. Aerobic exercise is known to boost endorphin production, contributing to the 'runner's high,' and it's beneficial for health, as it is aligned with humans' evolutionary patterns.
The use of performance-enhancing drugs is widely considered unethical and is prohibited by organizations like the International Olympic Committee. These substances can disrupt the normal functioning of the body and lead to maladjustment in health. Proper exercise and training can improve anaerobic activity effectiveness and ameliorate the effects of by-products like lactate, which were once thought to be detrimental in high concentrations.
If cardiac muscle cells were impeded from undergoing aerobic metabolism, they would struggle to meet energy demands and suffer dysfunction or failure without the energy supplied from this process. Therefore, in the context of the given options, decreased pH of the blood would most significantly reduce exercise performance and lead to possible abnormal nervous and endocrine responses.