PSL 303 Advanced Human Physiology

Energy Physiology Overview

Greg D. Wells, Ph.D.

The University of Toronto
www.per4m.ca

All Slides © Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2009), All Rights Reserved

Web: www.per4m.ca Email: greg.wells@utoronto.ca Tel: 416-710-4618
 Class Agenda
•  Neuromuscular Review
•  Energy Systems Overview
•  Aerobic Metabolism and Training
•  Anaerobic Metabolism and Training
•  High Energy Phosphate Metabolism and Training

2
Neuro-Muscular Review

3
Neuro-Muscular Review

4
Neuro-Muscular Review

5
ATP: The Muscle’s
Energy Source

6
 ATP: Sources via nutrition
•  ATP is provided via:
–  Initial intra-muscular stores of ATP & PCr
–  Anaerobic breakdown of glycogen & glucose (CHO’s)
–  Aerobic oxidation of fats & carbohydrates

7
 Energy Systems Overview
•  3 Energy Systems
–  Aerobic
–  Anaerobic
–  High Energy Phosphate
•  Purpose: To supply sufficient ATP at the rate
that is required to perform the event.

8
 Energy Systems Overview
•  3 Energy Systems
–  Aerobic Slow
–  Anaerobic Medium
–  High Energy Phosphate Fast
•  Purpose: To supply sufficient ATP at the rate
that is required to perform the event.

9
 Energy Systems Overview
•  3 Energy Systems
–  Aerobic Slow Long
–  Anaerobic Medium Medium
–  High Energy Phosphate Fast Short
•  Purpose: To supply sufficient ATP at the rate
that is required to perform the event.

10
 Energy Systems: Aerobic Oxidative
Low power
Energy/Power Output Very high capacity
Time to peak power (~180s)
Peak power (~3 – 5min)
Power capacity (extensive / hours)

10 s 30 s 60 s 3 min 15 min+

Time
12
© S. Esau, University of Calgary
 Blood Glucose

Blood (capillaries)

Glycogenolysis / Muscle (myofibres)

Gluconeogenesis
Anaerobic Fat Metabolism & Protein Metabolism
Glycolysis
ß-Oxidation

4 ATP Mitochondria

Pyruvate Aerobic Oxidation

Lactic Acid Acetyl-CoA Krebs Cycle

32 ATP

ATPase

Creatine Kinase
© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)
Energy Systems: Anaerobic Glycolytic
High Power
Energy/Power Output Limited Capacity
Time to peak power (~8s)
Peak power (~40 – 70s)
Power capacity (~90 – 120s)

10 s 30 s 60 s 3 min 15 min+

Time
© S. Esau, University of Calgary
 Blood Glucose
Anaerobic Glycolysis
Blood (capillaries)

Glycogenolysis / Muscle (myofibres)

Gluconeogenesis
Anaerobic Fat Metabolism & Protein Metabolism
Glycolysis
ß-Oxidation

4 ATP Mitochondria

Pyruvate Aerobic Oxidation

Lactic Acid Acetyl-CoA Krebs Cycle

32 ATP

ATPase

Creatine Kinase
Fibre Utilisation as a Function of Intensity

© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)

Lactate vs. Ventilation

© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)

Web: www.per4m.ca Email: greg@per4m.ca Tel: 416-710-4618
Energy Systems: High Energy Phosphate
Very high power ATP-CP
Energy/Power Output Very low capacity
Time to peak power (ms)
Peak power & capacity (~7 – 10s?)

10 s 30 s 60 s 3 min 15 min+

Time
© S. Esau, University of Calgary
 Blood Glucose

Blood (capillaries)

Glycogenolysis / Muscle (myofibres)

Gluconeogenesis
Anaerobic Fat Metabolism & Protein Metabolism
Glycolysis
ß-Oxidation

4 ATP Mitochondria

Pyruvate Aerobic Oxidation

Lactic Acid Acetyl-CoA Krebs Cycle

32 ATP

ATPase

Creatine Kinase
 Sport Science Application
•  Monitoring of ATP / PCr depletion by cycle rate
(strokes or cycles or strides / min)

Canada 4 x 100 m Relay 1996

© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)

© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)
MRI & MRS Results at Rest
Pi PCr ATPy ATPa ATPb

pH

© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)

 At Rest After Exercise
4.3*105 2.9*105

1.2*105

0.4*105

pH: 7.15 pH: 6.75

© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)

 CP Metabolism
16-32
mmol /kg
stored PCr
(CP)
 ATP Metabolism

4-8 mmol /
kg of stored
ATP

7-10 kcal /
mol ATP
ATP &Pcr Recovery Time

© Greg D. Wells, Ph.D. (2008)

Web: www.per4m.ca Email: greg@per4m.ca Tel: 416-710-4618
During chemiosmosis in eukaryotes, H+ ions are pumped across an organelle membrane into a confined space
(bounded by membranes) that contains numerous hydrogen ions. The energy for the pumping comes from the
coupled oxidation-reduction reactions in the electron transport chain. Electrons are passed from one membrane-
bound enzyme to another, losing some energy with each transfer (as per the second law of thermodynamics). This
"lost" energy allows for the pumping of hydrogen ions against the concentration gradient (there are fewer hydrogen
ions outside the confined space than there are inside the confined space). The confined hydrogen cannot pass back
through the membrane. Their only exit is through the ATP synthesizing enzyme that is located in the confining
membrane. As the hydrogen passes through the ATP synthesizing enzyme, energy from the enzyme is used to attach a
third phosphate to ADP, converting it to ATP.
 Characteristic High energy phosphate Anaerobic glycolytic Aerobic oxidative
Fuel source(s) stored ATP, stored glycogen, blood glycogen, glucose, fats,
phosphocreatine (PCr) glucose proteins
Enzyme sytem used in ATPase HK, PFK, LDH, PDH, CS, MDH, SDH,
breakdown others others
Muscle fibre type(s) Type I, Type IIa, Type Type I, Type IIa, Type Type I, Type IIa
recruited IIb IIb
Power output high moderate - high low - moderate
requirement
Metbolic byproducts ADP, P, Cr lactic acid CO2, H2O
maximum rate of ATP 3.6 1.6 1
production (mmol/min)
Time to maximal ATP 1 sec 5-10 sec 2-3 min
production
Maintenance time of 6-10 sec 20-30 sec 3 min
maximal ATP
production
Time to exhaustion of 12-15 sec 45-90 sec theoretically unlimited
system
Ultimate limiting Depletion of ATP / PCr Lactic acid Depletion of
factor(s) stores accumulation carbohydrate stores,
insufficient oxygen,
heat accumulation
Time for total recovery 3 min 1-2 hr 30-60 min
(sec)
Time for one half 20-30 sec 15-20 min 5-10 min
recovery (sec)

Relative % ATP 50 35 15
contribution to efforts
of 10 sec
Relative % ATP 15 65 20
contribution to efforts
of 30 sec
Relative % ATP 4 46 50
contribution to efforts
of 2 min
Relative % ATP 1 9 90 30
contribution to efforts
of 10 min