Lactic Acid System

• Lactic acid system


  An anaerobic energy system that uses glucose as its fuel
• Glucose


  The fuel of the lactic acid system
• Glycogen


  Stored energy that is broken down into glucose
• Glycolysis


  The breaking down of glucose to produce 2 ATP and pyruvic acid/pyruvate
• Pyruvic acid/Pyruvate


  A weak, mild acid produced as a byproduct of glycolysis
• Conversion of pyruvate to lactic acid/lactate


  Occurs in the absence of oxygen, releasing H+ that causes pain, soreness and fatigue
• Lactic acid system


  • An anaerobic energy system
  • Provides energy for 1-2 minutes of maximum intensity exercise
• Lactic acid/lactate production


  Inhibits enzymes like PFK, ATPase and CPK, causing performance to decline
• Athletes who use the lactic acid system

  • 400m runners
  • 800m runners
  • 200m swimmers
  • 200m runners
• The lactic acid system provides short-term bursts of power during high intensity exercise lasting between 5 to 30 seconds.