Energy Systems Flashcards
Structure of ATP
ATP Adenosine Triphosphate is a compound consisting of one adenosine molecule and a chain of three phosphate molecules bound by high-energy bonds (A-P-P-P).
Role of ATP
The breakdown of ATP provides energy for muscular contraction.
Conversion of ATP to ADP.
- The bond formed between the second and third phosphate of the ATP molecule is broken
- When the third phosphate breaks off this releases energy
- The energy released is the energy that provides the energy for muscular contraction
- The ATP molecule is now converted into an ADP (A-P-P) molecule and a free phosphate molecule (Pi)
Food fuel sources + food examples.
Carbohydrates - found in pasta and bread.
Fats - found in nuts, dairy, and oil.
Protein - found in lean meat, chicken, and lentils.
Bodily breakdown and storage of food fuels.
Carbohydrates - transported as glucose, stored in muscle and liver as glycogen.
Fats - transported as free fatty acids, stored in muscle and adipose tissue as triglycerides.
Proteins - transported as amino acids, stored in skeletal muscle as it is used to build muscle tissue.
ATP production at rest and during exercise.
Which energy pathway, anaerobic or aerobic, is used to resynthesize ATP is determined by:
- Activity duration,
- Activity intensity,
- individual level of aerobic fitness,
- amount of recovery.
During rest and sub-maximal exercise, the body resynthesises ATP aerobically.
During maximal exercise, the body resynthesises ATP anaerobically.
Fuel contribution at rest and during exercise.
At rest carbohydrates contribute approximately 1/3 of the food fuels required and fats contribute 2/3.
As exercise begins carbohydrates increase contribution, contributing approximately 2/3 at sub-maximal intensity, while fats provide 1/3.
Advantages and disadvantages of carbs and fats as a food fuel.
Carbohydrates
Advantages:
- Easily broken down.
- Requires little/no oxygen.
- Can be used by both anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis systems.
Disadvantages:
- Does not provide a large energy yield.
- Can result in fatiguing by-products.
Fats
Advantages:
- Provides a larger yield of ATP than carbohydrates.
- Does not produce fatiguing by-products.
Disadvantages:
- Requires a larger amount of oxygen to be broken down.
- Slow rate of ATP resynthesis.
Describe the characteristics of the ATP-CP system.
Fuel: Creatine Phosphate (CP)
Duration: Short (10 seconds)
Intensity: High/Explosive (>95% MHR)
Yield: Low
Rate: Fast
Limiting factors:
- Limited CP stores can only supply ATP for 10 seconds.
- Requires 3-5 minutes passive recovery to replenish CP stores.
Examples of activities that predominantly use ATP-CP system.
- 100 metre sprint
- 50 metre freestyle sprint.
- High jump.
- Shot put.
- Soccer goal keeper saving a penalty.
- Spike in volleyball.
Advantages + Disadvantages of ATP-CP system.
Advantages:
- Resynthesises ATP without presence of oxygen.
- Fast rate of ATP resynthesis.
- Used at high intensities.
Disadvantages:
- Small ATP yield.
- Limited CP stores (max 10 seconds)
- Requires 3-5 minutes to replenish CP.
Characteristics of Anaerobic Glycolysis Energy System.
Fuel: Glycogen
Duration: Short (10-60 seconds)
Intensity: High/Repeated (85-95% MHR)
Yield: Low
Rate: Fast
Limiting factors:
- Accumulation of fatiguing metabolic by-products.
Examples of activities that use predominantly Anaerobic Glycolysis Energy System.
- 400 metre sprint.
- 100 metre freestyle sprint.
- Track cycling.
- Gymnastics floor routine.
- Repeated sprints with insufficient recovery time.
Advantages + Disadvantages Anaerobic Glycolysis Energy System.
Advantages:
- Resynthesises ATP without presence of oxygen.
- High rate of ATP production.
- High exercise intensity.
Disadvantages:
- production of fatiguing metabolic by-products
- low yield / duration
