Energy Systems

Created by

Henry Johnson

Cards (64)

Adenosine Triphosphate  
The only usable form of chemical energy in the body
Gained from broken down food which releases energy to form it
ATPase  
The enzyme which is used to break down ATP
Creates Adenosine Diphosphate, phosphate and energy
Phosphocreatine  
Found in the muscles
Often used to fuel chemical reactions
ATP-PC System  
Used for maximal intensity exercise
Can only be replenished or resynthesized in a low-intensity environment when
Can only be replenished in the presence of oxygen
ATP-PC System (Molecular Level) 
Fuelled by Phosphocreatine
Reaction occurs in the sarcoplasm of the muscle
Uses the enzyme creatine kinase
Yield of 1:1 without by products
Examples of ATP-PC sports  
100m sprint
Long jump
50m swimming
Advantages of ATP-PC System  
Quick process
Phosphocreatine stores can be quickly resynthesized (30 seconds - 3 minutes)
No harmful waste products
Creatine supplements can extent the process
Disadvantages of ATP-PC System  
Limited supply of Phosphocreatine to muscles
Only yields 1 molecule of ATP for one molecule of Phosphocreatine
Can only be resynthesized in the presence of oxygen
Anaerobic Glycolytic System  
Provides energy in high-intensity situations for longer than the ATP-PC system
Length of use depends on natural fitness levels
Gains fuel from breakdown of glycogen into glucose
Anaerobic Glycolytic System Pathway 
Glycogen is broken down into glucose from glycogen phosphorylase
Glucose breakdown by phosphofructokinase with glycolysis forms 2 ATP molecules
The process forms Pyruvic Acid which is broken down to form lactic acid through lactate dehydrogenase
Anaerobic Glycolytic System (Molecular Level) 
Fuelled by muscle or liver glycogen
Reaction occurs in the sarcoplasm of the muscle
Uses the enzymes of: glycogen phosphorylase, phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase
Yield of 1 Glycogen to 2 ATP
Produces Lactic Acid as a waste product
Advantages of Anaerobic Glycolytic  
ATP can be quickly regenerated
Lactic Acid can be removed in the presence of oxygen
Offers the opportunity for an extra burst of energy
Disadvantages of Anaerobic Glycolytic  
Lactic Acid is a harmful by-product
Only small amount of energy released from glycogen in anaerobic conditions
Examples of Anaerobic Glycolytic sports  
Velodrome cycling
400m sprint
Basketball (Team sports in general)
Aerobic System  
Occurs when at a low level of intensity and a high level of oxygen is present
Split into: Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle and Electron Transport Chain
Can produce up to 38 ATP molecules
Glycolysis (Aerobic System) 
Occurs in the sarcoplasm of the muscle cell
The breakdown of glucose to pyruvic acid in the present of oxygen
2 ATP molecules are resynthesized
Krebs Cycle (Anaerobic System) 
Acetyl-coenzyme A diffuses into the mitochondria
Mixes with oxaloacetic acid to form citric acid
Citric acid is broken down to release carbon and hydrogen
The carbon forms carbon dioxide and is breathed out while hydrogen goes to the Electron Transport Chain
2 ATP molecules are produced
Electron Transport Chain (Aerobic System) 
Occurs in the mitochondria
The Krebs cycle hydrogen is moved by hydrogen carriers to the Electron Transport Chain
Hydrogen splits into hydrogen ions and electrons
The process produces 34 ATP molecules
Beta Oxidation  
Stored fats are broken down into glycerol and three fatty acids
The fat is transported by the blood into the muscle cell
Converted to Acetyl-coenzyme A by beta oxidation which enters the Krebs Cycle
Advantages to Beta Oxidisation  
More ATP is produced per molecule of fatty acid than molecule of glucose
Good at long durations and low intensity
Fatty acids are the main source and help lose stores of fat
Disadvantage of Beta Oxidation  
Depends on the fitness levels of the performer
Advantages of Aerobic System  
38 ATP molecules are produced
No fatiguing by-products and only CO2 and water is produced
Lots of natural glycogen stores mean exercise can last a long duration
Disadvantages of Aerobic System  
Highly complicated system
Oxygen availability needed to meet the demands of activity
Glycogen and fatty acids must be broken down
Fatty acid transportation is low which means 15% more oxygen is required to be broken down
Examples of Aerobic System sports 
Marathon running
Tour de France (predominantly)
Long distance / endurance swimming
Energy Continuum's 
One type of energy system is the predominant energy provider
Determined by the intensity and duration of the activity
Energy Threshold 
The point at which an athlete moves from one energy store to another
ATP-PC / Anaerobic Glycolytic Threshold  
10 seconds
Anaerobic Glycolytic / Aerobic Threshold  
3 minutes
ATP Generation in Slow Twitch Fibres  
Main pathway occurs in the aerobic system
Produces the maximum amount of ATP from each glucose molecule
Production is slow but fibres are endurance based so don't fatigue
ATP Generation in Fast Twitch Fibres  
ATP production in the absence of oxygen is not efficient as only produces 2 ATP molecules per glucose
Main pathway for ATP production is through glycolysis
Production of ATP is fast but unable to last as they fatigue quickly
Fats VS Carbs for ATP 
Fat usage becomes limited at intensity
More oxygen than glucose is required in the breakdown
Continued exercise sees the need for fat as energy drop
Oxygen Consumption During Exercise  
Oxygen Consumption = amount of oxygen needed to produce ATP
Referred to as VO2 Max
Consume an average of 0.3 to 0.4 litres of oxygen per minute
VO2 Max 
Maximum volume of oxygen that can be taken up by the muscles per minute
Sub-Maximal Deficit  
Energy is provided anaerobically to satisfy the increase in demand for energy until the body is able to cope
Maximum Oxygen Deficit  
Gives an indication of anaerobic capacity
Bigger during maximal exercise as they have to work anaerobically
Oxygen Consumption during Recovery 
Involves returning the body to its pre-existing levels
Oxygen consumption remains high when compared to rest
Depends on duration and intensity of exercise
Excess Post-Oxygen Consumption 
The extra amount of oxygen consumed during recovery compared to rest
Fast Component (EPOC) 
Known as the alactacid component
Complete restoration takes up to 3 minutes
50% of stores take 30 seconds
Oxygen stores in the myoglobin are limited
Removal of Lactic Acid (EPOC)
Pyruvic Acid to enter Krebs Cycle = 65%
Transported into the liver to convert blood glucose = 25%
Converted into protein = 10%
Removed in sweat and urine = Minor Amount
Maintenance of Breathing and Heart Rates  
Extra oxygen is required to fuel the demands of the muscles
Aims to restore the body to a level of rest or pre-existing state