The cardiovascular and respiratory systems work together to maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. The respiratory system adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the blood, while the cardiovascular system transports oxygenated blood and nutrients to tissues (Powers & Howley, 2012, p. 189). Exercise increases the demand on these systems, as contracting muscles require more oxygen and nutrients, produce more waste, and generate more heat (Powers & Howley, 2012, p. 207). The cardiovascular system is comprised of the heart, blood and the blood vessels. In order to meet the increased metabolic need caused by exercise, the heart pumps at a faster rate, as demonstrated in Figure 1, thereby boosting the flow of oxygenated
