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However, unlike a car that carries fuel around in its tank – the body’s energy is stored I
chemical bonds that joins atoms and is released only as needed.
The transformation of food (chemical energy) to energy that the muscles can use
(mechanical energy) is the role od the energy systems.
FOOD & ENERGY
Energy provided by food is measured in kilojoules (kJ)
When food is digested, it breaks down to sugars, amino acids and fatty acids –
substances that become available as a usable form of energy
From these, ATP or adenosine triphosphate is produced and represents the most
important substance in energy production.
ATP can be likened to a spark plug in an engine as it enables the release of energy
where all other functions are possible.
ATP COMPOUND
The ATP compound consists of a large molecule called adenosine (A) and
three smaller molecules called phosphates (P). Each of the phosphates is held
together by high energy bonds. The chemical structure of ATP is shown below
ATP COMPOUND
When the last phosphate is detached, energy stored in bonds between the
phosphates becomes available and this is transferred to the cells. The process
is like flicking a switch. The light will not work until the current flows and
provides energy to light the globe. In muscle cells, the energy from ATP allows
the fibres to contract and make movement possible.
ATP COMPOUND
However, ATP now has only two phosphates attached. In this state it is
referred to as ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and is powerless to provide
energy.
ATP COMPOUND
Unlike food, used ATP does not become a waste product that is discharged
from the body. Instead, it has the ability to quickly rebuild and or resynthesise,
allowing us to continue to function on limited stores.
These systems are commonly called energy pathways because they eachy
supply ATP but use different processes to do so. Each system has their own
way of resynthesising – how well the system resynthesises ATP determines its
efficiency in energy production.
ALACTACID SYSTEM (ATP/PC)
• Supplies of ATP I the body are very limited.
• We have sufficient supply for only ONE explosive muscular contraction,
for example, a standing long jump or sprint start.
• Lasting 1-2 seconds
• An explosive movement causes ATP molecule to ‘split’ providing energy
for muscular contraction.
ALACTACID SYSTEM (ATP/PC)
• Further muscular work relies on creatine phosphate (CP)
breaking down to creatine and phosphate, and releasing energy
in the process. The energy is used to drive the ‘free’ phosphate
back to ADP so it can once again become triple phosphate.
• Once reformed, ATP can break down again – and the process
goes on.
• The problem is, however, is that CP supplies are exhausted
with 10-12 minutes and then takes 2 minutes to be restored.
SOURCE OF FUEL
• We have 90 grams (same weight as a large egg) of ATP in our body
• This is sufficient to power the muscles required in one explosive
movement such as a jump, start or throw.
• Allows for 1-2 seconds of hard work
• Following that, we rely on 120 grams of reserve fuel, CP, stored in our
cells
• Creatine phosphate, then, is the fuel of the ATP/PC system
EFFICIENCY OF ATP PRODUCTION
• The alactacid system function to ATP rapidly available. Occurs whether
or not oxygen is available.
• This is primarily possible by a concentration of CP within muscle cells
that is approximately 5 times greater than that of ATP.
• Supply of ATP is very limited if the demand is high, sustained, near
maximal or maximal.
• But the system can recover quickly.
• That is why it is integral to short, explosive movements such as weight-
lifting, discus throwing and sprint starts.
DURATION OF SYSTEM
• ATP supplies are exhausted after, 1-2 seconds of hard work
• CP supplies are exhausted in a further 10-15 seconds
• At rest, CP supplies are almost fully restored in 2 mins.
CAUSE OF FATIGUE
• Fatigue is caused by inability of system to continually resynthesise ADP
from CP because CP supplies are quickly exhausted.
• This is why we are unable to run at maximal effort for distances longer
than 100m.
BY-PRODUCTS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION
• No fatiguing by-products but hear is produced during muscle
contraction
RATE OF RECOVERY
• ATP/PC system recovers quickly from exercise. Within 2 minutes, most
ATP and CP supplies have been fully restored, with 50% of CP
replenishment occuring in first 30 seconds of rest recovery.
• This is why high jumpers, weight lifters and discus throwers can ‘back
up’ almost immediately after their 1st and 2nd attempts
For example, 200 metre sprint, 400 metre running, 800 metre running, 200 metre
freestyle and gymnastic routines
CAUSE OF FATIGUE
Fatigue occurs when lactic acid build up within the muscle cells. Although, it is not
directly lactic acid that hinders performance, rather it’s the rate of removal – this
varies on an individual basis.
Lactic acid is produced whenever the body uses carbohydrate as a fuel, and this
occurs most of the time, even at rest. Lactic acid is produced because the
carbohydrate is being metabolised.
The speed of lactic acid production depends on exercise intensity.The faster you
work, the more rapidly lactic acid accumulates.
CAUSE OF FATIGUE
Excessively high levels of lactic acid prevent muscle fibres from contracting and
result in rapid deterioration in performance. However, while lactic acid levels cause
fatigue, tolerable levels can enhance performance because lactate is a fuel source.
Finding a balance and building a tolerance, comes with training, as do removal rates.
WORK SHEET
Relationship between lactic acid and fatigue.
RATE OF RECOVERY
During the post-exercise period, lactic acid diffuses from the muscle
and into the bloodstream where its use as a by-product is important.
In the liver, lactic acid is reconverted to glycogen and can once again
be used as a source of fuel .The process takes about 30 minutes to an
hour.
The body has virtually unlimited supplies of fat and this is used as a fuel
source as glycogen supplies are depleted. In well-trained athletes, the body
mixes carbohydrate and fat in endurance events. This process, called glycogen
sparing, results in some fat fuel being used earlier so that glycogen can be
available at a later stage, such as for a sprint finish. These fuels used jointly, yet
sparingly, ensure that the body can operate using this system for long periods
of time.
DURATION OF THE SYSTEM
The aerobic system is the predominant system for use during extended
endurance events such as marathons and low demand activities such as
walking, sitting and reading.
BUT HOW DOES IT WORK EXACTLY?
During endurance work, slow-twitch muscle fibres will do most of the work.
These fibres have many capillaries and a rich oxygen supply. Before a run,
these fibres may be saturated with glucose. However, activity beyond an hour
or so results in depletion of fuel and, although some is replaced from the liver,
glycogen is exhausted. Glycogen is premium fuel for muscles. When it runs
out, the body tires.
CAUSE OF FATIGUE
A second cause of fatigue is the exhaustion of carbohydrate and subsequent
reliance on the secondary fuel, fat. Although fat is much higher in energy than
carbohydrate, its use as a sole fuel can cause problems. Fatigue occurs because
fat requires more oxygen for metabolism than does carbohydrate. This
increases the runner’s body temperature and rate of respiration.
BY-PRODUCTS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION
During aerobic activity, oxygen is required to burn the fuels in the body
(carbohydrate and fat). As with most fuels that are burnt, by-products are
produced, in this case, carbon dioxide and water.
The carbon dioxide is breathed out through the process of respiration and
the water is available to the cells. These by-products are not harmful to
performance.
RATE OF RECOVERY
The recovery rate of the aerobic system depends on the duration of use. If
used for a short period of time, the system recovers quickly because glycogen
stores have not been depleted. However, if used for hours, glycogen storage
areas could well be exhausted. In this case, it may take days to fully replenish
glycogen reserves.
ENERGY SYSTEMS SUMMARY
The energy systems should not be thought of as individual metabolic units
that operate independently of one another. Although the systems have been
referred to individually, they actually function together (see figure 5.15). This
gives rise to the term predominant energy system, or the system that is being most
utilised at that point in time. This concept is further illustrated in figure 5.15,
where, after 120 seconds of running time, the ATP/PC system is contributing
little to energy supply and the lactic acid system is in decline, although still
assisting to some extent. The contribution of the aerobic system at this point is
predominant and rising gradually.
APPLYING THE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Split into the following groups and work together to complete your assigned task,
groups will need to report back to class with their findings.
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Sham Ulia Luke
Ferah So’o Nahren
Pisu Derek Vinnie
Jerod Chantelle Katerina
Jazz Billy Janita
Haani Vaoesea Adrian