THE ENERGY CONTINUUM

Question 1

What is the energy continuum?

Answer 1

The energy continuum is the relative contribution of each energy system to overall energy production, depending on intensity and duration of performance.

Question 2

What percentage of anaerobic energy would be used at each time point?

Answer 2

10 seconds –> 90% anaerobic
30 seconds –> 80% anaerobic
60 seconds –> 70% anaerobic

2 minutes –> 50% anaerobic
4 minutes –> 35% anaerobic
10 minutes –> 15% anaerobic

30 minutes –> 5% anaerobic
60 minutes –> 2% anaerobic
120 minutes –> 1 % anaerobic

Question 3

What is intermittent exercise?

Answer 3

1. Intermittent exercise is when athletes are required to alternate between various modes of activity, such as walking, jogging and sprinting
   E.g. rugby player sprinting, tackling and jumping
2. This type of exercise has varying physiological demands as they switch from one energy system predominance to another
3. The threshold of any energy system is the point at which it is unable to provide energy and therefore switches to another system
   E.g. 10 seconds for ATP-PC system

Question 4

What do recovery periods do?

Answer 4

1. Aid recovery through time outs and quarter/half time breaks
2. Allow for rehydration and glycogen replacement.

Question 5

What is fitness level?

Answer 5

1. Once blood lactate value goes above 4mmol, OBLA has been reached
2. This point will vary depending on the aerobic fitness of the performer
3. In untrained individuals, this may occur at 50% of their VO2 max, whereas in trained individuals this may occur at 85% of VO2 max
4. This is due to increased ability to tolerate lactic acid and remove waste products and supply oxygen to working muscles.