ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What is the role of epinephrine in the body during exercise?

1. A hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels

2. A hormone released as part of the sympathetic response

3. A protein involved in muscle repair

4. A neurotransmitter that affects mood

The correct answer is: A hormone released as part of the sympathetic response

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, plays a crucial role during exercise as it is released from the adrenal glands in response to stress, including physical exertion. This hormone is central to the body's "fight or flight" response, which is part of the sympathetic nervous system. When exercising, the body requires an increase in heart rate, blood flow, and energy availability; epinephrine facilitates these changes. As part of the sympathetic response, epinephrine helps to dilate the airways, allowing for increased oxygen intake, and it stimulates the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver, providing a quick source of energy. Furthermore, it enhances blood flow to essential muscles while redirecting blood away from non-essential functions, which is particularly important during intense physical activity. The other roles suggested in the other choices do not align with the primary function of epinephrine during exercise. Regulating blood sugar levels is more closely related to insulin and glucagon. Muscle repair involves processes that go beyond the effects of epinephrine and include other hormones and nutrients. Mood regulation is typically associated with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, rather than epinephrine itself. Thus, the correct answer accurately captures the vital role of epinephrine during exercise