Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education Additional Supports ...

Violence and Risk Taking Behaviour
Public Profile
Unit #3 Activity #6
Teaching Learning Strategy #3
Teacher Resource (Background Information)
Catholic Profile
Unit #2 Activity #4
Teaching Learning Strategy N/A
How the Body Reacts to Stress
The body's initial response to stress is the Òfight or flight responseÓ. If the problem is
solved, the response is released and all is well. If the problem persists without resolution,
the result can be great damage to oneÕs health.
INCREASED ACTIVITY DECREASED ACIVITY
Pupils-dilate
Lungs-need to take in more air,
to provide extra oxygen for tense
muscles, and need to get rid of
more carbon dioxide, so
breathing speeds up.
Heart-pumps more vigorously to
get blood to tense muscles.
Increased heart rate also causes
high blood pressure.
Liver-releases stored glucose to
provide necessary fuel for
muscles. It may also
overproduce cholesterol,
discharging excess into the blood
stream.
Skin-sweats to prepare to cool
down in anticipation of
overheating. Blood is diverted to
the muscles and skin capillaries
constrict, leaving skin pale.
Muscles-give off lactic acid,
increasing the amount of lactic
acid in the blood and heightening
anxiety.
Saliva-salivary gland stops
producing saliva and the mouth
dries up.
Kidneys-blood vessels in the
kidney constrict.
Digestive System-slows down or
stops. Stomach and intestines stop
working.
Rectum-sphincter muscles at the
end of the rectum close, to prevent
urination or defecation. Sometimes
the opposite occurs, where
involuntary urination or defecation
results. This results from overreactivity
of the parasympathetic
nerves.
Immune System-subdued in its
normal active state.
Grade 11 Healthy Active Living Education (PPL30), Module #3 Violence and Risk Taking Behaviour
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