Energy systems -
Response of energy systems to physical activity
Rate of ATP production =
How quickly ATP is resynthesised
Yield =
How much ATP is resynthesised
ATP
A chemical compound called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is responsible for producing energy for movement
When ATP is broken down energy is released
ATP —> ADP + Pi (inorganic)
Fuels required for resynthesis of ATP
What is ATP
ATP-CP energy system
An immediate energy system that does not require oxygen
Fuel: uses a combination of stored ATP + the stored creatine phosphate
Intensity: maximum efforts >95% max HR
Duration: short duration (fuel depleted after 10 secs)
Rate of resynthesis: very fast
Yield: low
ATP-CP advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- high intensity exercises
- rate of resysnthesis
- stored in muscles
Disadvantages:
- low yield
- duration
Anaerobic glycolysis system (lactic acid)
Relies on breakdown of glycogen, in the absence of oxygen, to produce energy
Fuel: carbohydrates
Intensity: 80-95% max HR
Duration: will take over as predominant system when ATP-CP system fatigues (PC stores depleted at around 5 - 10 secs) predominant 10-6- second events. Peak power is usually reached between 5-15 secs)
Rate of resynthesis: fast
Yield: low - medium - 2ATP
Anaerobic glycolysis system advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- intensity
- rate
Disadvantages:
- lactic acid - cramps
- low yield
- slow recovery (if lactic acid present)
Glycolysis
Takes place in the cytoplasm, where the enzymes required are present
Glycolysis is to destroy or break down glucose
Because oxygen is not present, the glycogen is not totally broken down and a by-product called lactic acid (lactate + hydrogen ions) is formed
Lactic acid
Use of the anaerobic glycolysis system results in the production of lactic acid.
What happens when we accumulate lactic acid?
Aerobic system (fuel, …
Fuel: carbohydrates, fat and protein (depending on intensity, duration)
Intensity: during rest and at sub-maximal intensities <80% HR max
Duration: gradual increase in contribution as O2 becomes available. Predominant energy after 30-60sec ((2 min <) depending on intensity)
Rate of Resynthesis: slow
Yield: very high (36 -38 ATP)
Aerobic system advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- high yield
- longer duration
- no by products that effects fatigue
Disadvantages:
- low intensity
- slow rate of resynthesis
Aerobic glycolysis
The breakdown of glycogen in the presence of oxygen to produce energy, carbon dioxide, water and heat
Once O2 becomes available to the muscle cell a different chemical reaction known as aerobic glycolysis takes place
The aerobic system takes a while to get going because a number of processes need to occur:
Aerobic system (2)
This system has the greatest capacity to produce ATP but is the slowest to do so (high yield but low rate)
The fuel source used by the aerobic system (carbohydrates and fats) depends on the intensity and ration of the activity
- Carbohydrates for the first 90 minutes then fats up till 4 hours
- CHO are the preferred energy source during high intensity exercise as fats can produce more ATP than CHO but they require more oxygen to produce an equivalent amount of ATP
Steady state exercise
Oxygen deficit
Oxygen deficit = oxygen consumption, O2 usage
- what your breathing in compared to what your body’s
The bodies systems will adjustments to increase oxygen supply.
EPOC stands for
Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption
(Oxygen debt)
EPOC
EPOC is the amount of oxygen consumed during the recovery period (after the end of the activity).
It’s an increased rate of oxygen consumption above that is required during rest
Oxygen can be viewed as the ‘currency’ the body uses in order to ‘purchase’ (resynthesise) ATP.
In other words, oxygen must be used in order for ATP to be produced.
After the cessation of exercise, oxygen uptake or consumption does not immediately return to resting levels, despite the fact that the demand from ATP resynthsis decreases dramatically. Rather, oxygen consumption remains temporarily elevated. This elevated oxygen consumption, which exceed that normally experienced at rest, is referred to as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC)
The purpose of EPOC is to: