Energy Systems

Question 1

What happens in the ATP PC system?

Answer 1

• ATP is broken down into ADP + P + Energy by ATPase
• Energy is used for muscle contractions
• Creatine Kinase breaks down PC into P + C + Energy
• Energy is used to resynthesise x1 ATP

Question 2

What intensity/duration is the ATP PC system used at?

Answer 2

• Maximal intensity
• 5-8s (e.g 100m sprint)

Question 3

What are the advantages of the ATP PC system?

Answer 3

• ATP is resynthesised rapidly
• No fatiguing by products
• Can be improved by Creatine supplements

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of the ATP PC system?

Answer 4

• Limited supply of PC in muscle cells
• Quick release (8s) but long recovery (3 mins)

Question 5

What occurs in the Anaerobic Glycolytic System?

Answer 5

• Glycogen is broken down into glucose by GPP which releases 2 ATP
• Glucose is broken down into Pyruvic Acid by PFK
• Pyruvic Acid converts to Lactic Acid due to the absence of oxygen

Question 6

What intensity/duration is the Anaerobic Glycolytic System used at?

Answer 6

• High intensity
• For 3 minutes max (e.g. 400m)

Question 7

What are the advantages of the Anaerobic Glycolytic System?

Answer 7

• Lasts longer than ATP PC system
• Can be used to provide extra boost of energy (at the end of a race)

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of the Anaerobic Glycolytic System?

Answer 8

• Lactic Acid denatures enzymes which prevents chemical reactions
• Glycogen doesn’t release as much energy as it would aerobically

Question 9

What happens in Stage 1 of the Aerobic System? (Glycolysis)

Answer 9

• Glycogen is broken down into glucose by GPP, releasing energy for 2 ATP
• Glucose is broken down by PFK to produce Pyruvic Acid

Question 10

What happens in stage 2 of the aerobic system? (Krebs Cycle)

Answer 10

• Pyruvic acid is oxidised to produce Acetyl CoA
• Beta oxidation breaks down fatty acids into Acetyl CoA
• Acetyl CoA combines with oxaloacetic acid to make citric acid
• Citric acid is oxidised to remove H+ ions and move them to the electron transport chain

Question 11

What happens in stage 3 of the Aerobic System (Electron Transport Chain)

Answer 11

• Hydrogen is carried into the electron transport chain
• Hydrogen splits into hydrogen ions and hydrogen electrons
• Both ions and electrons are charged with energy
• Ions are oxidised to produce water
• Electrons produce energy for x34 ATP

Question 12

What are the advantages of the Aerobic System?

Answer 12

• More ATP is produced (36-38)
• No fatiguing by products
• High stores of glycogen and triglycerides

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of the Aerobic System?

Answer 13

• No rapid release of energy due to the number of reactions
• 15% more oxygen required to break down glycogen

Question 14

What is EPOC?

Answer 14

• Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption
• The amount of oxygen used during recovery that wouldn’t be used at the same time during rest

Question 15

What is the Fast Component of EPOC?

Answer 15

• Alactacid Component
• Uses extra oxygen to restore ATP and PC stores (50% = 30s, 100% = 3 mins)
• Gives some oxygen to myoglobin
• Uses 2-3 litres of Oxygen

Question 16

What is the Slow Component of EPOC?

Answer 16

• Lactacid Component
• Oxidises Lactic Acid to produce water (which is sweated/urinated out)
• Can be converted into protein
• Can be converted to glucose in the Cori Cycle (occurs in the liver)
• Lasts up to 1hr
• Uses 5-6 litres of oxygen