energy continuum

• what is an energy continuum used for ?

  • an energy continuum is used to consider the contribution that different energy systems make to production of energy, dependent on intensity and duration
  • you can identify predominant energy system based on time of activity
  • however there's times when performer switch between systems during an activity depending on intensity & duration
• which system used for different times and intensity

  1 ) less than 10 sec and very high intensity = ATP-PC

  2 ) 8 - 90 seconds , high - very high = ATP-PC & glycolytic

  3) 90 sec - 3 min, high intensity = glycolytic and aerobic

  4) over 3 min, low intensity = aerobic
• describe systems used by marathon runner

  • predominantly AEROBIC as race last 2hrs plus
  • majority of race involves running with pack at constant pace
  • HOWEVER when pace increases ( sprint finish ) the anaerobic system will be mainly used
• describe systems of a 100m sprinter

  predominantly ATP-PC system used due to short duration but relies on anaerobic glycolytic system towards end of race as it lasts over 10 seconds and PC stores deplete
• systems used in team games

  • predominantly aerobic due to extended length of game e.g 90min involving periods of low intensity jogging
  • HOWEVER, games are intermittent and more energy demanding than continuous activities
  • may involve high intensity extended sprints down the wing in football over 10 secs ( glycolytic system ) & short sprints whilst receiving centre pass in netball ( ATP-PC )
• comparison between football v basketball systems used

  • SIMILARITIES:
  • both mainly aerobic ( 90 min v 40 min )
  • times when ATP-PC used ( explosive sprints, jumps)
  • times when glycolytic used ( sprints down the wing, fast breaks over 10 sec )
  • DIFFERENCES:
  • basketball played at higher intensity than football so has more anaerobic elements than football
  • basketballers will build up lactate at a faster rate
  • basketball has smaller playing area and all players have to cover full court
  • however they have time outs in bball to aid recovery
• comparison between systems used by GK v Football midfielder

  • SIMILARITIES:
  • both positions predominantly use aerobic due to length of game
  • DIFFERENCES:
  • midfielder more energy demanding than GK as player must switch between different energy systems
  • midfielders more likely to use anaerobic glycolytic system more than GK as they must execute extended sprints
  • a GK may use ATP-PC system more than anaerobic glycolytic as they must react quickly and use explosive muscle contractions to dive jump save etc
• SLOW twitch TYPE 1 more suited to producing ATP aerobically as:

  • high number of mitochondria
  • high levels of myoglobin
  • high capillary density
  • high aerobic capacity
  • high fatigability
  • production is slow but fibres don't fatigue easily
• FAST twitch TYPE 2X more suited to producing ATP anaerobically as:

  • high ATPase activity
  • high PC + glycogen stores
  • high force productions
  • fast contraction speed
  • production is very fast but fibres fatigue very quickly