energy systems and physiology

Question 1

How many energy systems can work at once? Explain and give an example using a sport.

Answer 1

All three energy systems begin to work at the start of exercise, meaning no system works by itself to contribute energy. However the level of contribution changes depending on the intensity and duration of the activity. For example in running your ATP-PC system begins and after 10s.

Question 2

Does the anaerobic glycolysis system use O2 to create ATP? What is the consequence of this?

Answer 2

The anaerobic glycolysis system does not use oxygen to create ATP. The system uses glycogen and glucose to produce ATP and the consequence of no oxygen leads to lactic acid being produced.

Question 3

List the three energy systems

Answer 3

a) ATP-PC (Anaerobic without oxygen)
b) Anaerobic Glycolysis (Anaerobic without oxygen)
c) Aerobic (Aerobic with oxygen)

Question 4

ATP-PC (Anaerobic without oxygen)

Answer 4

a) What fuel is used - PC (Phosphate creatine)
b) The muscle fibres involved - White fibres
c) The time period it lasts for - (0-10s)
d) Intensity of exercise - (greater than 95% intensity)
- muscles have ATP stored, this will last for 1 to 2 seconds.
- the creatine phosphate (CP) stored in muscles is then used to produce ATP.

Question 5

Anaerobic Glycolysis (Anaerobic without oxygen)

Answer 5

a) What fuel is used - Glucose
b) The muscle fibres involved - Pink fibres
c) The time period it lasts for - (10-60s)
d) Intensity of exercise - (85–95% intensity)
- uses glycogen stored in muscles for fuel
- creates Lactic Acid as a by-product

Question 6

Aerobic (Aerobic with oxygen)

Answer 6

a) What fuel is used - Glycogen and Triglyceride
b) The muscle fibres involved - Red fibres
c) The time period it lasts for - (60s+)
d) Intensity of exercise - (less than 85% intensity)
- uses carbohydrates, fats and proteins as sources of fuel

Question 7

what is anaerobic threshold

Answer 7

anaerobic threshold is when the body switches from anaerobic to aerobic

Question 8

interplay

Answer 8

At no stage does one energy system work independently of the others. They are interrelated and constantly overlap in order for players to meet the energy demands.

Question 9

White Muscle Fibres (Fast twitch)

Answer 9

Used for power, speed and strength. Eg: sprinting, jumping, throwing

Contract rapidly with lots of force

Question 10

Red Muscle Fibres ( Slow twitch)

Answer 10

Used for longer duration activities. Eg: continuous swimming, running, cycling

Contract slowly but for long periods of time