Running head: CARBOHYDRATES

Kaplan University
NS425-01
William B C E Doss
Unit 3 Carbohydrates
Nov 13, 2014

Running head: CARBOHYDRATES

The energy that is required for the normal functioning (muscle contraction,
conduction of nervous impulses, hormone synthesis, etc.) of all living cells in the
human body is produced by chemical reactions. These chemical reactions are
either aerobic (occurring in the presence of oxygen) or anaerobic (without
oxygen). An individual must continually produce energy or the various tissues
and organs in the body will cease to function. It would be akin to pulling the plug
of an appliance from the electrical outlet. To clarify the relationship between food
consumption and energy production, individuals should think of the human body
as a factory. The body must process different raw materials to make its final
product energy. This energy is used by every cell of the body. The three basic
raw materials the body uses to produce energy are oxygen, carbohydrates (sugar
and starches) and fat. These materials essentially are available in an unlimited
supply. Since humans live in a veritable sea of oxygen, an adequate supply is
generally not a problem. When individuals eat food, carbohydrates and fat are
replenished. Muscles involved in exercise produce a significant amount of energy
by combining foodstuffs with oxygen. As the oxygen needs of an individuals
exercising muscles increase, the lungs supply more oxygen to the blood. The
heart, in turn, pumps more oxygenated blood to the working muscles. If a steady
supply of oxygen is not produced to meet the energy demands of an activity, then

Running head: CARBOHYDRATES

An energy imbalance develops, blood lactate (LA) levels rise, blood pH levels
decrease and fatigue occurs. An individuals ability to engage in sustained high
levels of physical activity without significant fatigue is determined by the bodys
ability to deliver oxygenated blood to the muscles, and the ability of the muscles
to extract the oxygen from the blood and utilize it for the production of energy in
the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). A fundamental knowledge of how the
body works during different types of exercise is necessary for understanding
both the basic concepts of energy production and the physiological adjustments
made by the body to meet the energy requirements of exercising skeletal
muscles. Since the amount of energy required at rest is so small, the human body
does not consume much oxygen. Accordingly, the resting energy needs are
easily met by the aerobic system. During the initial stages of exercise, however,
the situation changes. When the work demands placed on an individuals body
increase, the body needs extra energy immediately. Unfortunately, the rate of
aerobic energy production is sluggish (i.e., oxygen must be breathed in,
transferred from the lungs to the blood, carried to the heart and then pumped to
the muscles where it actually is needed). Thus, a delay exists in the delivery of
oxygen from the outside. If a sudden demand for more energy arises, an
emergency back-up system must exist that will permit the body to function until
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The aerobic assembly line speeds up its production. The anaerobic energy
system serves this function. Now Anaerobic During anaerobic (without oxygen)
work, involving maximum effort, the body is working so hard that the demands
for oxygen and fuel exceed the rate of supply and the muscles have to rely on the
stored reserves of fuel. The muscles, being starved of oxygen, take the body into
a state known as oxygen debt and lactic starts to accumulate in the muscles. This
point is known as the lactic threshold or anaerobic threshold or onset of blood
lactate accumulation (OBLA). Activity will not be resumed until the lactic acid is
removed and the oxygen debt repaid. The body can resume limited activity after a
small proportion of the oxygen debt has been repaid. Since lactic acid is
introduced, the correct term for this pathway is lactic anaerobic energy pathway.
The lactic anaerobic pathway is when the body is working anaerobically but
without the production of lactic acid. This pathway depends on the fuel stored in
the muscle which lasts for approximately 4 seconds at maximum effort.
Anaerobic endurance can be developed by using repetition methods of high
intensity work with limited recovery. Both are important one requires less energy
and one requires more.
Running head: CARBOHYDRATES
REFERENCES
http://runnersconnect.net/running-tips/aerobic-vs-anaerobic-training/
http://www.hhp.txstate.edu/hper/faculty/pankey/1310/smch8.pdf
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/pdhpe/core2/focus2/focus1/4007/2-1-2/fac2_1_2.htm