Blood Distribution at Rest vs During Exercise
Let's dive into how our body cleverly redistributes blood between different organs and tissues depending on whether we're lounging on the couch or running a marathon!
Blood Distribution at Rest
When we're at rest, our body prioritizes blood flow to maintain basic functions:
- Liver and Digestive System: ~25% of blood flow
- Supports digestion and metabolism
- Helps with detoxification processes
- Kidneys: ~20% of blood flow
- Maintains fluid balance
- Filters blood and removes waste products
- Skeletal Muscles: ~20% of blood flow
- Supports basic muscle maintenance
- Maintains muscle tone
- Brain: ~15% of blood flow
- Ensures constant oxygen supply
- Maintains cognitive function
- Skin and Other Organs: ~20% of blood flow
- Temperature regulation
- Basic organ function maintenance
At rest, our body maintains a relatively even distribution of blood flow to ensure all organs receive adequate oxygen and nutrients for basic functions.
Blood Redistribution During Exercise
During exercise, our body dramatically shifts blood flow to meet new demands:
- Skeletal Muscles: Increases to ~80% of blood flow
- Supports increased oxygen demand
- Removes waste products
- Delivers more nutrients
- Skin: Increases to ~15% of blood flow
