ENERGY SYSTEMS Flashcards
FORCE-FATIGABILITY CURVE
3
(1) Demonstrates the inherent tradeoff between the production of maximum force & power and the ability to sustain it.
(2) Sports that produce maximum levels of force have extremely low durations (shot put, powerlifting)
(3) At the other end of the spectrum are sports that take place over longer duration with a relatively low level of force (i.e.. long-distance running)
What are the primary causes of the tradeoff between the level of force and the ability to sustain it?
Boils down to how your body produces energy
What are the two different ways the body can produce energy?
(1) Aerobically (with oxygen)
2) Anaerobically (without oxygen
How are the energy pathways fueled? (2)
(1) By the macronutrients that come from your food.
(2) Every cell in your body requires energy, and in response to exercise, the energy demand increases.
THE ENERGY CYCLE
(1) The body takes the foods you eat (i.e. proteins, carbs, fats) and turns them into fuel that cells, tissues, and muscles, can use.
(2) Each of these nutrients is then either (a) utilized in the bloodstream, or (b) stored to be mobilized and used as needed.
3 MAIN ENERGY SYSTEMS
(1) Phosphocreatine System
(2) Anaerobic Glycolysis System
(3) Aerobic System
The power output generated by the 3 main systems differs dramatically
(1) Phosphocreatine - highest power output, short duration (10-15 secs)
(2) Anaerobic Glycolysis - high power output, moderate duration (30-90 secs)
(3) Aerobic System - lowest power output, long duration (majority of energy production for exercise lasting more than 60 secs)
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AEROBIC & TWO OTHER ANAEROBIC SYSTEMS
(2)
(1) Govern the amount of power your body can generate
(2) Which one of these systems you choose to develop or emphasize will depend on your goals and the demands of your sport.
AEROBIC FITNESS (3)
(1) Provides the majority of energy production for any activity lasting longer than 60 seconds, regardless of the intensity level
(2) Drives the restoration of homeostasis within the cellular environment following anaerobic energy production
(3) Produces the ATP necessary to support life 24/7 throughout your entire life
3 MAIN STAGES OF AEROBIC ENERGY PRODUCTION
(1) Glycolysis
(2) The Krebs Cycle
(3) The electron transport & chemiosmosis
WHY DOES EVERYONE NEED AEROBIC FITNESS?
2
(1) A number of important prospective studies have shown VO2 Max is the most important predictor of all-cause mortality
(2) Risk of cardiovascular disease decreases linearly with increases in aerobic fitness
Even though the aerobic process is longer than those involved in the other two systems, why is it more efficient?
It produces more molecules of ATP per molecule of substrate, making it more efficient.
Why is the aerobic system the most “metabolically adaptable”?
It can produce ATP from multiple energy sources
- carbs
- fats
- proteins
Why is the aerobic system the most adaptable system when it comes to room for improvement?
Since there are so many components to the system, there are many ways in which each of these components can be promoted such that overall aerobic fitness increases.
3 KEYS TO IMPROVING AEROBIC FITNESS
(1) Increase Functional capacity of the heart itself
(2) Build a bigger vascular network
(3) Increase the number of mitochondria
Increase Functional capacity of the heart itself
To deliver more oxygen to working muscles and supporting tissues (i.e. hypertrophy, contractile, elasticity)
Build a bigger vascular network (2)
(1) To be able to deliver more blood & oxygen throughout the body.
(2) This means more blood vessels and capillaries.
Increase the number of mitochondria
As well as their ability to function, in order to improve how well tissues can utilize oxygen that gets delivered to them
Training the aerobic system involves stimulating what 2 kinds of adaptations? (2)
(1) Cardiovascular & skeletal muscle
(2) Promoting either of these 2 components leads to increased blood flow and oxygen delivery extraction
Training for aerobic adaptations requires what three things regarding aerobic programming?
(1) A variety of volumes & intensities
(2) A high training frequency
(3) Sport-specific movements
A variety of volumes & intensities
To maximally develop aerobic fitness, a variety of volumes and intensities must be used - not just high intensity
A high training frequency (2)
(1) 4 - 6 days a week because there is a high turnover of mitochondria
(2) 2 - 3 days per week of training is not enough for long-term aerobic development
Sport-specific movements
More important for developing oxygen utilization (i.e. muscles, than for improving oxygen supply)
Explain lactate as a fuel source
Is an important fuel source for many tissues, including the heart itself