Energy Transfer During Physical Activity

Chapter 7
Energy Transfer During

Physical Activity
Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chapter Objectives
Identify the three energy system and describe
their contribution for intensity and duration
of specific physical activities
Describe the lactate threshold
Describe lactate threshold differences between
sedentary and endurance-trained individuals
Describe the pattern oxygen uptake during
progressive increments of exercise intensities to
maximum
Differentiate between type I and type II muscle
fibers
Chapter Objectives, cont.
Discuss differences in recovery oxygen uptake

from light, moderate, and intense exercise
List three factors that account for excess
postexercise oxygen uptake
Outline optimal recovery procedures from
steady-rate and non-steady-rate exercise
Discuss the rationale for intermittent exercise
applied to interval training

ATP-PCr Energy System
High-intensity exercise of short duration (<10 s)

requires immediate energy from intramuscular
ATP and PCr
Each kg of skeletal muscle contains 3 to 8 mmol
of ATP and 4 to 5 times more PCr
Although all movements require high-energy
phosphates as an energy source, some rely
almost exclusively on this energy transfer
system

Short-Term Glycolytic (Lactate-Forming)
Energy System
Energy to phosphorylate ADP during intense,

short-duration exercise comes mainly from
stored muscle glycogen breakdown via anaerobic
glycolysis with resulting lactate formation
Rapid and large accumulation of blood lactate
occurs during maximal exercise of 60 to 180 s
Decreasing exercise intensity to extend duration
depresses lactate accumulation rate and final
blood lactate levels

Lactate Accumulation
Blood lactate does not accumulate at all

exercise levels
During light and moderate exercise
(<50% aerobic capacity), blood lactate
production equals lactate disappearance,
with oxygen-consuming reactions adequately
meeting exercise energy demands
For healthy, untrained persons, blood lactate
begins to accumulate and rise in an
exponential fashion at about 50 to 55% of
maximal capacity for aerobic metabolism

Blood Lactate Concentration for Trained
and Untrained at Different Exercise Levels

Blood Lactate Threshold
Blood lactate threshold occurs when muscle cells
can neither meet energy demands aerobically
nor oxidize lactate at its rate of formation
Occurs at a higher percentage of the trained
aerobic capacity compared to the untrained
Trained persons perform steady-rate aerobic exercise
at 80 to 90% of maximum aerobic capacity due to:
- Specific genetic endowment
- Specific local training adaptations that favor less
lactate production
- More rapid rate of lactate removal at any exercise
intensity

Lactate-Producing Capacity
Producing high blood lactate levels during

maximal exercise increases with specific
sprint-power anaerobic training and decreases
when training ceases due to three factors:
1. Improved motivation during training
2. Increased intramuscular glycogen stores with
training
3. Training-induced increase in glycolytic-related
enzymes

Long-Term Energy: The Aerobic System
Aerobic metabolism provides nearly all of

the energy transfer when intense exercise
continues beyond several minutes
Oxygen uptake during exercise initially rises
exponentially before it plateaus, and then
remains in steady-rate for the duration of effort
Steady-rate aerobic metabolism reflects a
balance between energy required by working
muscles and ATP production in aerobic reactions
No appreciable blood lactate accumulates under
steady-rate metabolic conditions
Time Course
of Oxygen
Consumption
During
Steady-Rate
Exercise

Limits of Steady-Rate Aerobic Metabolism
Steady-rate exercise could theoretically

progress indefinitely, assuming that steady-
rate aerobic metabolism determines the
capacity to sustain submaximal exercise
Two steady-rate limiting factors:
Fluid loss and electrolyte depletion
Maintaining adequate reserves of both liver
glycogen for central nervous system function
and muscle glycogen to power exercise

Many Levels of Steady-Rate
Individuals possess many steady-rate levels
during exercise depending on training level
Two factors help to explain athletes high
steady-rate levels:
1. High capacity of the central circulation to
deliver oxygen to working muscles
2. High capacity of the active muscles to
use available oxygen

Oxygen Deficit
Difference between total oxygen consumed during
exercise and the total that would have been consumed
had steady-rate oxygen uptake been achieved at the
start of exercise
Represents immediate anaerobic energy transfer from
the hydrolysis of intramuscular high-energy phosphates
and glycolysis until steady-rate energy transfer meets
current energy demands
Energy for exercise does not simply occur from
activating a series of energy systems that switch on
and switch off, but rather from smooth blending
with considerable overlap of one mode of energy
transfer to another

Relationship
Between O2 Deficit
and Energy
Contribution from
ATP-PCr and Lactate
Energy Systems

Oxygen Deficit in Trained and Untrained
Endurance-trained individuals reach steady

rate more rapidly, with a smaller oxygen
deficit, than sprint-power athletes, cardiac
patients, older adults, or untrained individuals
A faster aerobic kinetic response allows
the trained person to consume a greater
total amount of oxygen during steady-rate
exercise and makes the anaerobic component
of exercise energy transfer proportionately
smaller

Oxygen Deficit in Trained and Untrained,
cont.
Three aerobic training adaptations facilitate the

rate of aerobic metabolism when exercise begins:
1. More rapid increase in muscle bioenergetics
2. More rapid increase in overall blood flow
3. Disproportionately large regional blood flow to
active muscle complemented by cellular
adaptations
These three adaptations increase an individuals
total capacity to generate ATP aerobically

Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max)
VO2max occurs when oxygen uptake plateaus or

increases only slightly with additional
increases in exercise intensity
Provides a quantitative measure of a persons
capacity for sustained aerobic ATP resynthesis
Indicates ability to maintain intense exercise
for longer than 4 or 5 min

Attainment of VO2max

A High VO2max
Requires integrated
and high-level
responses of
five diverse
physiologic
support systems

Fast- and Slow-Twitch Muscle Fiber Types
Fast-twitch (type II)
Rapid contraction speed and high capacity for
anaerobic ATP production in glycolysis; highly
active in change-of-pace and stop-and-go activities
Type IIa: High aerobic capacity
Slow-twitch (type I)
Generates energy through aerobic pathways
- slower contraction speed than fast-twitch
- active in continuous activities requiring steady-
rate aerobic energy transfer
Fast- and Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers, cont.
Athletes who excel in different sporting

events (high-power versus endurance
activities) usually have a large percentage
of the specific muscle fiber type that
supports the sports energy demands
Most sports require relatively slow, sustained
muscle actions interspersed with short bursts
of powerful effort. This requires activation of
both muscle fiber types

Differences in Muscle Fibers of Different
Athletes
Swim champion Endurance cyclist

with 80% type II with 80% type I
fibers fibers

Energy Spectrum of Physical Activity
Energy for physical activity from each energy
transfer form progresses along a continuum
In intense, brief exercise the intramuscular
high-energy phosphates supply almost all of
the energy for exercise. The ATP-PCr and
lactic acid systems supply about half the
energy for intense exercise lasting 2 min with
aerobic reactions supplying the remainder
Long duration endurance exercise requires
a constant aerobic energy supply with little
reliance on energy transfer from anaerobic
sources

Energy Spectrum of Physical Activity, cont.
Energy for physical activity from each
energy transfer form progresses along a
continuum
Exercise training should analyze an activity
for its specific energy components, and
then formulate training strategies to ensure
optimal adaptations in physiologic and
metabolic function

Relative
Contribution of
Aerobic and
Anaerobic Energy
Metabolism
During Maximal
Effort of Varying
Durations

Oxygen Consumption During Recovery
Following physical activity, bodily processes
do not immediately return to resting levels

Recovery VO2 follows a logarithmic curve, decreasing
by about 50% over each subsequent 30 s period until
reaching the pre-exercise level

Light activity with rapid steady-rate VO2 attainment
produces a small O2 deficit
with rapid recovery VO2
Moderate-to-intense aerobic activity requires a longer
time to achieve steady rate VO2. This creates a larger
O2 deficit with a longer recovery time for the VO2 to
restore resting levels
Oxygen Consumption
During Recovery

Recovery Oxygen Consumption (EPOC)
EPOC (sometimes referred to as the oxygen debt)

EPOC = total recovery VO2 minus total VO2 theoretically
consumed at rest during the recovery
Restores the body to its pre-exercise condition

In short-duration, light-to-moderate activity, recovery VO2
replenishes high-energy phosphates depleted during
activity
In longer-duration, intense

aerobic exercise
(>60 min), recovery VO2 remains elevated for a longer
duration
In exhaustive exercise with lactate accumulation,
a small portion of EPOC resynthesizes lactate to glycogen
Recovery Oxygen Consumption, cont.

Two factors impact recovery VO2
1. Level of anaerobic metabolism during activity
2. Respiratory, circulatory, hormonal, ionic, and
thermal adjustments that elevate metabolism
during recovery

Total EPOC
During
Different
Recovery
Intervals

Factors Contributing to EPOC
Following Exhaustive Exercise

Implications of EPOC for
Exercise and Recovery
No appreciable lactate accumulates with
steady-rate aerobic exercise or brief 5- to 10-s
bouts of all-out effort. Recovery progresses
rapidly and exercise can begin again with only
a brief rest period and passive recovery
Lactate buildup occurs during prolonged

anaerobic exercise so recovery VO2 takes longer
to return to baseline
Athletes who attain a high level of anaerobic
metabolism during exercise may not fully recover
during brief intermittent (rest) intervals of less-
intense exercise
Implications of EPOC for
Exercise and Recovery, cont.
Procedures for speeding recovery include active
or passive methods:
Active recovery (cooling-down or tapering-off)
that includes submaximal exercise may prevent
muscle cramps and stiffness and facilitate overall
recovery
Passive recovery: individual lies down with
minimal energy expenditure (which is believed to
reduce recovery energy requirements and thus
free oxygen to fuel the recovery process);
modifications include massage, cold showers,
specific body positions, and consuming cold liquids
Blood Lactate
Concentration
Following
Maximal Exercise
with Passive and
Active Recovery

Optimal Recovery from
Steady-Rate Exercise
Steady-rate exercise recovery involves
resynthesis of high-energy phosphates;
replenishment of O2 in blood, bodily fluids,
and muscle myoglobin; and a small energy
cost to sustain elevated circulation and
ventilation
Passive procedures facilitate recovery because
any additional exercise only serves to elevate
total metabolism and delay recovery

Optimal Recovery from
Non-Steady-Rate Exercise
When exercise intensity exceeds maximum
steady-rate, lactate formation in muscle exceeds
its removal rate and blood lactate accumulates
Performing aerobic exercise in recovery
accelerates blood lactate removal from:
- increased blood perfusion through the
liver, heart, and ventilatory muscles
- increased blood flow through skeletal muscles
in active recovery
If left to their own choice, most individuals select
their optimal recovery exercise intensity
Intermittent (Interval) Physical Activity
Application of different work-to-rest intervals

with supermaximal exercise to overload a
specific energy transfer system
Produces rapid recovery and enables
subsequent intense exercise to begin
following a brief recovery
Manipulating the duration of exercise
and rest intervals can effectively overload
an energy-transfer system of choice

Summary
1. Intensity and duration of physical effort impact
the relative contribution of the pathways for ATP
production
2. Intramuscular stores of ATP and PCr (immediate
energy system) provide the energy for brief,
intense physical activity
3. For less intense activity of longer duration (1 to 2
min), anaerobic reactions of glycolysis (short-term,
lactate-forming energy system) generate the energy.
4. The aerobic system (long-term energy system)
predominates as physical activity progresses
beyond several minutes.
Summary, cont.
5. Humans possess two distinct muscle fiber types,
each with unique metabolic and contractile properties:
low glycolytichigh oxidative, slow-twitch fibers (type I)
and low oxidative-high glycolytic, fast-twitch (type II)
6. A steady rate of oxygen consumption represents a
balance between the energy requirements of the
active muscles and aerobic ATP resynthesis

7. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) quantitatively
defines a persons maximum capacity
to resynthesize ATP aerobically
8. Recovery oxygen consumption reflects the metabolic
demands of exercise, including the exercise-induced
physiologic imbalances for maintenance in recovery
Summary, cont.
9. Moderate physical activity following intense
effort (referred to as active recovery) facilitates
recovery compared with passive procedures.
10. Proper spacing of the work-to-rest intervals
provides a way to enhance physical effort at an
intensity that would normally prove fatiguing if
performed continuously.

Image Sources
Slide 15: Adapted with permission from Karlsson J. Muscle ATP, PCr and lactate in
submaximal and maximal exercise. In: Pernow B, Saltin B, eds. Muscle Metabolism
During Exercise. New York: Plenum Press, 1971.
Slide 20: Lung and heart images adapted with permission from Moore KL, Dalley
AF, Agur AMR. Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 7th ed., as used with permission from
Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Grants Atlas of Anatomy. 13th Ed. Baltimore: Wolters Kluwer
Health, 2013.
Slide 23: Photos and photomicrographs courtesy of Dr. R. Billeter, School of Life
Sciences, University of Nottingham, Great Britain.
Slide 26: Adapted with permission from strand PO, Rodahl K. Textbook of Work
Physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977.
Slide 28: Adapted with permission from McArdle WD, Katch FI, Katch VL. Sports
and Exercise Nutrition. 4th Ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, 2013.
Slide 31: Adapted with permission from Quinn TJ, et al. Postexercise oxygen
consumption in trained females: effect of exercise duration. Med Sci Sports Exerc
1994;26:908.
Slide 35: Adapted with permission from Dodd S, et al. Blood lactate disappearance
at various intensities of recovery exercise. J Appl Physiol: Respir Environ Exerc
Physiol 1984;57:1462.

Energy Transfer During Physical Activity

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Energy Transfer During Physical Activity

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Chapter 7

Energy Transfer During

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Discuss differences in recovery oxygen uptake

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

High-intensity exercise of short duration (<10 s)

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Energy to phosphorylate ADP during intense,

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Blood lactate does not accumulate at all

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Producing high blood lactate levels during

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Aerobic metabolism provides nearly all of

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Steady-rate exercise could theoretically

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Endurance-trained individuals reach steady

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Three aerobic training adaptations facilitate the

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

VO2max occurs when oxygen uptake plateaus or

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Athletes who excel in different sporting

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Swim champion Endurance cyclist

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Application of different work-to-rest intervals

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Copyright 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

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