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Suzy Louie

Measurement of Techniques for Anerobic Performance Lab

Physiology of Exercise

4 October 2019
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Introduction:

The Measurement of Techniques for Anaerobic Performance Lab demonstrated the

anaerobic capacity in students. The purpose of the lab was to analyze anaerobic fitness and apply

what we learned in class to understand what’s going on inside of our bodies during exercise and

which pathways are being used. Additionally, it demonstrated the relationship between force,

power, and work and the importance of building muscular strength to generate power allowing

for successful completion of activity (Cola, 2019). Four different tests were utilized including the

vertical jump, 60-yard sprint, and 300-yard shuttle which assess anaerobic capacity, as well as a

12 minute run geared towards anaerobic endurance.

In this report, we will discuss the three main energy systems the body uses during

exercise: ATP-PCr, glycolytic and oxidative. Simply put, the ATP-PCr system is for activities of

short duration and high intensity such as the vertical jump or 60-yard sprint. The glycolytic

system kicks in during short duration, moderate intensity exercise, and the oxidative system

comes into play for those of long duration and low intensity. The 300-yard shuttle and 12-minute

run apply to the last two systems, respectively. How do we know which exercises fit into each

system? After performing the above tests, we can observe our own breathing, heart rate, and

feeling in the legs to get an idea of how hard we worked. The more laboured breathing, increased

heart rate and heavy legs are all indicators of a high intensity workout.

While different activities utilize a specific system for its primary source of fuel, all three

systems are constantly working together, just in different ratios. The reason the human body has

multiple systems is because no single pathway can sustain energy needs infinitely. The ATP-PCr

system is utilized in the first moments of any muscular movement as it is readily available in

small amounts. According to Hultman, “it is probable that carbohydrate depletion results in the
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inability of skeletal muscle to maintain the required rate of ATP resynthesis and therefore, the

work intensity must be reduced for exercise to continue” (Hultman 361). As the duration of

exercise lengthens to about 2 or 3 minutes, glycolysis will contribute as a source of energy as

glycogen is transformed to ATP. It is here that lactic acid build up and the presence of hydrogen

ions will result in a heavy, burning sensation in the legs. If activity continues beyond that time

frame, the oxidative system takes over and relies on the body’s fat storage to maintain the rate of

ATP production.

Before any tests of anaerobic fitness were tested, we can hypothesize which systems

would be used. We know a vertical jump takes less than a second and requires a lot of muscle

force to generate an explosive movement. It is clear that the ATP-PCr system would be utilized

since the characteristics associated with it align. Similarly, the 60yd sprint would also be fueled

by this system despite the longer duration. If the world’s fastest man can run 100m in 9-seconds,

then we can roughly estimate the time it would take for an average person to run 54.9m which

puts us at 10-15 seconds top. The amount of time this test takes falls into the zone in which the

ATP-PCr system can still adequately cover. Thinking about the 300m shuttle, most people would

not try to go as fast as they did during the sprint, in an attempt to elongate their energy for the

longer distance. This would be classified as moderate intensity that the glycolytic system would

cover. Finally, the 12-minute run is the longest test, by far. Knowing that the oxidative system is

used for long duration and low intensity, we can easily associate the two.

Methods:

The following procedure was performed on September 20th, 2019 outside of the

Preakness Hall Kinesiology Lab. The vertical jump experiment had been based on predetermined
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data and calculations to decide vertical power while applying the ATP-PCr system. Using a

Vertec vertical jump testing tool, the subject jumped and reached to dislodge as many horizontal

veins as possible. The individual performed two trials with a few seconds in between. To

calculate the average power output, the Lewis formula was used to determine watts. The

sprinting performance also took place on September 20th, 2019 on the William Paterson Football

Field. The subject had to run 60 yards or 54.9 meters. The runner ran as quickly as possible

while times were recorded at 10, 40, 50, and 60 yards by classmates using the stopwatch feature

on their smartphones. After a rest time of about 5 minutes, trial 2 took place and was measured

the same way. The times for each measured yard mark was to be used to calculate velocity,

power, and acceleration.

The following tests were performed on September 27th, 2019 on the William Paterson

Track and Field. The 300-yard shuttle tests anaerobic power by using the glycolytic system. The

subject ran from the end line to the 25-yard line, there and back, making 6 round trips to add up

to 300 yards while being timed by their partner with an iPhone. After a 5 minute rest, the subject

started the 12-minute run. The individual's aerobic capacity was tested by the use of the

oxidative pathway. The subject started on the innermost lane on the track and consecutively

jogged and walked for 12 minutes. The number of laps completed was timed and documented.

Results:

When looking at the results of the vertical jump, as shown in table 1, the subject’s trial 1

and 2 was significantly different. With a 3 inch difference in jump distance, it is evident that the

average power in watts went up. Based on the results displayed in Table 3, the subjects times and

velocities for both trial 1 and trial 2 were comparable. When being compared to Table 2, a
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relative average percentile ranks based on gender and age range, the runner is in the 30th

percentile. With the mean of Table 2 being 6.11, this shows that the subject is closer to average

velocity power. After trial 1 of the 36.6 m Sprint, the subject’s muscles felt shock. After trial 2,

the subject’s body felt fatigue in the muscles. When compared to the rest of the subjects class,

this subject was faster than most. When being put in a competition against a classmate, the two

individuals tied, with none of their personal times drastically improving. When at the start up

line for the competition, the subject felt their breathing go out of hand and was full of adrenalin.

In the 300 yard shuttle run, the subject was unaware as to sprint or pace themselves during the

event. After the run had commenced, the runner’s whole body felt fatigued and dropped to the

ground. The runner practiced deep breathing to bring more oxygen to the muscles. Compared to

the people in the subjects heat, the subject was faster than most. After the 300 shuttle run, the 12

minute run occurred. The subject completed 4.24 laps in 12 minutes, while the range in the class

was from over 6 laps to 3 laps. The subject felt fatigued and out of breath after the first lap and a

half, so they walked. Throughout the 12 minutes, the subject alternated between speed walking

and jogging. By the end of the 12 minutes, the subject felt great and did not feel any fatigue

whatsoever.

Discussion:

Bioenergetics is the process of creating and breaking substrates to convert them into

usable forms of energy. Energy does not come directly from food; it must be transformed into

chemical energy followed by kinetic energy which allows for movement. Adenosine

triphosphate, ATP, consists of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and an inorganic phosphate held

together by a hydrogen bond. When these bonds are broken, energy is released. Substrates are
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the sources from which our bodies get fuel and can make energy, ATP, from. Such substrates

include carbohydrates, fat, and protein. All of the body’s cells need glucose which is most easily

decomposed from carbohydrates, making it the first source of energy. Carbohydrates are used for

exercises requiring high intensity for a short duration of time. Excess of this substrate is stored in

muscles and the liver as glycogen, ready to be used if the body is not refuelled. Fat is used for

long-duration, low-intensity exercises due to its slow ATP production. As it must be reduced

from triglyceride to glycerol and free fatty acids, they are not as readily available as

carbohydrates. However, once the body reaches the fat burning stage, it produces ATP at a very

efficient rate. Protein is the last resort, only used as an energy source in extreme cases such as

starvation or disease.

The first two exercises that were measured were the vertical jump and the 60-yard sprint.

In both of these exercises, the body utilizes the ATP-PCr system. This pathway is mainly used to

reassemble ADP into ATP because the body’s ATP stores are limited. This system is known as a

substrate level metabolism with an inverse relationship. This is because if ADP levels are high,

creatine kinase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for this system, will cause dephosphorylation

of creatine phosphate and transfer that phosphate to an ADP molecule to create ATP. Basically,

all this system is doing is breaking down creatine phosphate to create ATP. This system works

very fast and is always working because our body is constantly using ATP. Because the body’s

ATP stores are limited, during exercise, we can only utilize this system for about 15 seconds. So,

the ATP-PCr system is used in exercises with a short duration but high intensity. This is why we

use this system for both the vertical jump and the 60 yd sprint. The vertical jump uses explosive

movement to create power. The sprint is less intense and a longer duration than the vertical jump,

however, seen in the results, this exercise does not cross that 15-second threshold.
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The next exercise is the 300 yd shuttle. In this particular exercise, we utilize the

glycolytic system. The glycolytic system is the system used after ATP stores are depleted in the

ATP-PCr system. This system is mainly utilized in the 15 seconds to two-minute threshold. In

the glycolytic system, the substrates used are either glucose or glycogen. Both substrates must be

converted to glucose 6-phosphate. From there glucose 6-phosphate is split and turned into 2

pyruvates. Throughout this reaction, ATP is generated. Depending on the substrate this system

can create either 2 or 3 net ATP gain. If glycogen is used, there is a net gain of 3 ATP. If glucose

is used, there is a net gain of 2 ATP. This is because, in order for glucose to be converted into

glucose 6-phosphate, glucose undergoes a hexokinase reaction, which costs 1 ATP. Glycogen

does not undergo this same reaction. This pathway can either end here or continue under certain

circumstances. If oxygen is available, pyruvate goes into the krebs cycle, this is known as slow

glycolysis. However, if oxygen is not available, the reaction ends and we are left with a net gain

of 2 or 3 ATP, this is called fast glycolysis. In the case of the 300-yard shuttle, the body is

utilizing fast glycolysis. This is because the results are within the time threshold of 15 seconds to

2 minutes.

The final exercise is a 12-minute run. In this exercise, the body uses the oxidative system.

Keep in mind that the body is always using these three systems, but there will always be one

used more than the other two. After the ATP-PCr and glycolytic systems have worked to their

maximal effort, the oxidative system finally kicks in with its great weapon of slow glycolysis.

Slow glycolysis an aerobic process which uses oxygen to oxidize the glucose our bodies have.

This system is for low intensity, long-duration exercise and unlike the other two systems, it uses

fat stored in the body to obtain much more ATP. Now that oxygen is available, the oxygen

molecules transform the pyruvate into acetyl-CoA instead of becoming lactic acid. For every one
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molecule of glucose, two pyruvate is formed. Two acetyl-CoA are formed from the pyruvate

molecules and enter the Krebs cycle located in the mitochondria. The Krebs cycle is a complex

process with many steps, but its main job is to make more ATP. This cycle must spin once for

each acetyl-CoA, so at the end of the two cycles, we are left with 2 ATP, CO2, and H+. The CO2

and H+ were broken down from CHO. Six NAD molecules and two FAD molecules are also

products at the end of the two cycles. These NAD and FAD molecules are carriers for the H+.

Once these molecules find the H+, they attach to them, now changing them to NADH and

FADH. After the H+ are picked up, they are brought to the Electron Transport Chain (ETC).

Upon arriving at the ETC, NADH and FADH release their H+ and it travels down a chain of

coenzymes. These coenzymes pass the H+ from one to another where eventually it will combine

with O2 to form water. The leftover O2 works with the electrons to form the finished product,

ATP. Per NADH, the yield is 2.5 ATP, while one FADH produces 1.5 ATP. The Krebs Cycle

works with negative feedback, kind of like a thermostat. When it’s ATP tank gets low, it’s rate-

limiting enzyme, IDH, tells it to start going through this process. This whole chain of events is

repeated several times to supply the body with the ATP it needs to take on this 12-minute run. It

is slow to turn on, but once it does, it supplies the body with way more ATP than the other two

systems can. Lucky for us oxygen is everywhere, so with enough exercise and patience, you can

utilize the oxidative system as much as you like and for a good amount of time too.

Conclusion:

The human body is always looking for the most efficient way to do things. Whether

walking, running, sprinting, or jumping; our body has it covered. The three main energy systems

the body turns to are the ATP-PCr system, glycolytic system, and the oxidative system. These
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three systems are always working, but depending on the specific activity being performed, one

will be working harder than the others, serving as the primary pathway. Adenosine Triphosphate

(ATP) is the main goal of these systems and they all function via negative feedback. Food does

not directly give us energy or ATP, but our bodies use food as substrates to make ATP and allow

for muscle contraction. In the first moments of up to 15 seconds of activity, the ATP-PCr system

gives a quick energy response to the sudden explosive exercise. The vertical jump and sprint

were supplied by this system due to their high intensity over a short period of time. Day two of

collecting data consisted of a 300-yard shuttle and a 12-minute run. Most participants finished

their shuttle in less than two minutes. The ATP-PCr system helped in the beginning but was soon

depleted as time went on. The glycolytic system starts after the ATP-PCr system can’t keep up

anymore and needs some help. This system is the breakdown of glucose for ATP and lasts

roughly two minutes. Observing the class, it was clear that people were more out of breath after

doing the shuttle than the vertical jumping or sprints. This is because we depleted our ATP-PCr

system, glycolytic system, but didn’t continue exercising long enough to have our third system

take over. The oxidative system is the last and most energy-yielding system the body has to keep

us moving when exercising for a longer period of time. During the twelve-minute run, we went

through the first two systems and then relied on the oxidative system to keep us going in the

remaining minutes. Utilizing oxygen to make ATP is an extremely efficient way for the body to

maintain energy and gives us the potential to run across the entire country if our heart so desires.
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Table 1:

Trial 1 Trial 2

Reach Height 77 in 77 in

Jump Height 91 in 94 in

Verticle Height 14 in 17 in

Average Power 569.34 watts 627.76 watts

Table 1 shows the raw data for two trials of the vertical jump test for one subject.

Verticle Height = Jump Height - Reach Height

Average Power (Watts) = √ 4.9 x body mass (kg) x √ jump-reach score

(m) x 9.81

Table 2

Table 2 shows the percent ranks for the average male and female runners participating in the

36.6 m Spring Distance.

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Table 3:

9.14 m Sprint

Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity (m.s-1)

Trial 1 9.14 1.87 4.88

Trial 2 9.14 1.88 4.86

Mean 1.88 4.87

36.6 m Sprint

Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity (m.s-1)

Trial 1 36.6 5.82 6.28

Trial 2 36.6 5.73 6.38

Mean 5.77 6.33

45.7 m Sprint

Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity (m.s-1)

Trial 1 45.7 7.08 6.45

Trial 2 45.7 7.07 6.46

Mean 7.08 6.46

54.9 m Sprint
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Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity (m.s-1)

Trial 1 54.9 8.16 6.72

Trial 2 54.9 8.20 6.69

Mean 8.18 6.70

Table 3 shows the data for one subject’s distance, time, and velocity in the 60 yard sprint.

Velocity (m.s-1) = distance (m) / time (s)

Table 4:

Distance Body Mass Velocity Power

(N) (m.s-1) (N.m.s-1)

9.14 431.577 x 4.87 = 2,101.779

36.6 431.577 x 6.33 = 2,731.882

45.7 431.577 x 6.46 = 2,787.987

54.9 431.577 x 6.70 = 2,891.565

Table 4 shows the subjects horizontal power calculations and results.

Body Mass (N) = weight (kg) x 9.81N.kg

Power (N.m.s-1) = force x velocity = body mass (N) x velocity (m.s-1)

Table 5:
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Interval Acceleration calculation Acceleration (m.s-2)

Acceleration from 4.87 ( m.s-1) - 0 ( m.s-1) / 1.88 s 2.59 m.s-2

0-9.14 m

Acceleration 6.33 ( m.s-1) - 4.87 ( m.s-1)/ 3.89 s 0.38 m.s-2

from 9.14 -36.6m

Acceleration 6.46 ( m.s-1) - 6.33 ( m.s-1)/ 1.31 s 0.10 m.s-2

from 36.6-45.7 m

Acceleration 6.70 ( m.s-1) - 6.46 ( m.s-1)/ 1.1 s 0.22 m.s-2

from 45.5-54.9m

Acceleration 6.33 ( m.s-1) - 0 ( m.s-1)/ 5.77 s 1.10 m.s-2

from 0-36.6 m

Acceleration 6.46 ( m.s-1) - 0 ( m.s-1)/ 7.08 s 0.91 m.s-2

from 0-45.7 m

Acceleration 6.70 ( m.s-1) - 0 ( m.s-1)/ 8.18 s 0.82 m.s-2

from 0-54.9 m

Table 4 shows the acceleration from start to finish with the intervals. The acceleration towards

the end of the sprint gets smaller.

Table 5:
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Distance Time (min)

300 yd. 1:08.72

Table 5 shows the time it took the subject to complete the 300-yard shuttle.

Table 6:

Time Distance (laps)

12 min 4.25

Table 6 shows how much distance, in terms of track laps, the subject covered within 12 minutes.

4.25 laps are converted to about 1700 meters.

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References

1. Department of Kinesiology. (2019, Fall). Measurement techniques for anaerobic

performance. Wayne, New Jersey: William Paterson University.

2. Hultman, E., & Greenhaff, P. (1991). Skeletal muscle energy metabolism and fatigue

during intense exercise in man. Science Progress (1933- ), 75(3/4 (298)), 361-370.

Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43421278

3. Kenney, W. L., Wilmore, J. H., & Costill, D. L. (2015). Physiology of sport and exercise.

Human kinetics.