Enhancing Fitness: The Energy Systems Flashcards
What is ATP?
Adenosine Tri-Phosphate
Chemical vital for muscle contraction
Without ATP muscle contraction can’t go on
Body has enough ATP fro 1 explosive act - after this no ATP left, muscle contraction can’t take place, so physical activity can’t continue unless body finds means of recycling ATP
Structure of ATP is: Adenosine P-P-P
It’s body’s job to transfer chemical energy stored in food we eat into usable energy found in ATP
Energy released when ATP broken down & energy required to resynthesise it
Breakdown of ATP releases Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) & Phosphate (P)
What is the initial breakdown of ATP?
ATP must be broken down into usable form to give off energy
When body needs energy enzyme ATPase release which breaks down ATP
Breakdown of 1 ATP only gives off enough energy to last max of 3 secs
Body must look at sources of energy to recycle ATP & depending on type of exercise what system will be most efficient to use
What sources do ATP come from?
Phosphocreatine
Glycogen
Triglycerides
Proteins
How can the sources of fuel be used to resynthesise ATP?
Aerobic (oxidate) system
Lactic acid/lactate anaerobic system
ATP PC system
What are the anaerobic energy systems?
Phosphocreatine (PC) energy system/ATP-PC system
Lactate Anaerobic/Lactic Acid system
What is the Lactate Anaerobic system?
Most activities last longer than 10 second threshold of ATP-PC system
Strenuous exercise required to continue ATP must be resynthesised from another fuel sources
Body switches to glycogen to fuel working muscles once PCr been depleted
Involves partial breakdown of glycogen giving off 2 ATP
What is the Aerobic Energy system?
In presence of oxygen, molecules of glycogen, glucose & fats may be completely broken down
Carbs & fats made from elements carbon, hydrogen & oxygen
Complete breakdown of these chemicals using oxygen will produce carbon & oxygen (Carbon Diox) & hydrogen & water (H2O) whilst at same time releasing energy fro ATP resynthesis
Initial stages of aerobic system same as lactic acid system
What are advantages of the Aerobic system?
Significantly more ATP can be resynthesised under aerobic conditions
Body has substantial stores of muscle glycogen & fatty acids to enable exercise last several hours
Oxidation of glycogen & fatty acids don’t produce fatiguing by-products
What factors determine which energy system you will use during exercise?
Intensity
Duration
Level of fitness
What energy system is used for each duration?
1-2 secs - anaerobic - ATP
2-5 secs - anaerobic - ATP & PC
5-8 secs - anaerobic - mostly PC
8-45 secs - anaerobic/lactic - PC & Glycogen & Lactic
45 - 4 mins - aerobic & anaerobic - Glycogen & Lactic acid
4 mins + - aerobic - Glycogen & Fatty acids
