Know the different types of energy systems Assessment 1.

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There are three energy systems that I will look at, firstly I will talk about energy systems and their importance in everyday life and sporting situations. Energy is what is needed for almost all body movements and functions to take place, this could include growth and repair of cells or muscles contractions. All energy originates from the sun as light, plants use this light to convert the energy by a process of photosynthesis. We either eat plants directly, or eat animals that have eaten plants. The energy is then stored as carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The body will have to cope with the demands we put on it, activities that we do that require short bursts of energy such as jumping to catch a netball will need more energy over a shorter period of time. Cycling or marathon running requires the body to produce energy continuously over a long period of time. Our body has the ability to use the energy from the food we eat and transfer it into something the body can use to produce movement. It also allows a wide range of different sports to be performed with the variety of duration and at different levels of intensity. ATP is made up of adenosine and three (tri) inorganic phosphate groups. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that when added with water, a bond is broken and energy is created (this reaction is called a hydrolysis reaction). ATP can also store energy,

this happens when a bond is made by the removal of water (condensation reaction). There are two ways energy systems can work, with oxygen (aerobically) or without oxygen (anaerobically). Quick movements that involve sudden burst of energy can function anaerobically. Long lasting continuous activities will need to work aerobically. The energy produced is needed in order for muscle contractions to take place. When carbohydrate is broken down, it forms a simple sugar known as Glucose. If this sugar is not required immediately it can be stored as Glycogen in the liver and muscles. Fats are broken down into free fatty acids. When these are broken down in the muscle cell, ATP is formed. ATP can be made in three ways: 1. Creatine Phosphate energy system 2. Lactic acid energy system 3. Aerobic energy system Creatine Phosphate energy system is the intermediate energy system. The ATP-PCr energy system can operate with or without oxygen but because it doesnt rely on the presence of oxygen it is anaerobic. During the first 5 seconds of exercise, the ATP-PCr is relied on almost exclusively. ATP concentrations last only a few seconds with PCr (5-8 seconds). Combined, the ATP-PCr system can last 3-15 seconds. If activity continues beyond this immediate stage, the body must rely on another energy system to produce ATP.
1)

Lactic acid energy system is the short term energy system. It works during the higher intensity periods over a longer period of time, this may be a 400 meter race or during some game situations. The lactic acid energy system uses the stored glycogen and glucose as an energy source and can partially break them down. This energy system can work for
2)

about 1 minute 1 minutes at maximum intensity and works anaerobically (without oxygen). When we look at the lactic acid energy system we need to look at anaerobic glycolysis and lactic acid production. Anaerobic glycolysis We already looked at how the carbohydrates we eat supply the body with glucose, which can be stored as glycogen in the muscles or liver for later use. Glycolysis literally means the breakdown (lysis) of glucose. When the ATP-PCr system can no longer be used (after about 10 seconds) anaerobic glycolysis takes place, this is when our systems break down glycogen stores from the liver and muscles, without oxygen. Lactic acid production This is a product that is produced due to the lack of oxygen, it diffuses into the blood and tissue fluid. It then needs to be removed through the circulatory system, if it isnt removed then it will stay in the muscle tissue and slow down muscle contraction and can cause discomfort in the affected muscles.

3) Aerobic energy system is the long term energy system. It uses oxygen to convert nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and protein) to ATP. This system is a bit slower than the anaerobic systems because it relies on the circulatory system to transport oxygen to the working muscles before it creates ATP. Aerobic metabolism is used mainly during endurance activities, which are less intense and last for longer durations. Due to the increase in breathing and heart rate, there is more oxygen and the process can continue to work aerobically. Amounts of ATP produced. This varies depending on the energy system being used, different products break down to form different amounts of ATP. 1. 2. Creatine phosphate energy system: ADP + creatine phosphate = ATP + creatine Lactic acid energy system: Glucose = 2 ATP + 2 lactic acid + heat Glycogen= 3 ATP + 2 lactic acid + heat 3. Aerobic energy system: Glucose + oxygen = 38 ATP + carbon dioxide + water + heat

Fatty acids + oxygen = 129 ATP + carbon dioxide + water + heat We can see the variation of the amount of energy produced in each energy system.

Types of sports and the energy systems used. We have to remember that it is not just one energy system we use during exercise but it is a combination of all three. Here is a break down of the energy systems used and at what percentage. Sport
Basketball Fencing Field events Golf swing Gymnastics Hockey Rowing Running (distance) Skiing Football

ATP-PCr
60 90 90 95 80 50 20 10 33 50

Lactic acid
20 10 10 5 15 20 30 20 33 20

Aerobic
20 0 0 0 5 30 50 70 33 30

Swimming (distance) Swimming (50m) Tennis Volley ball

10 40 70 80

20 55 20 5

70 5 10 15

Recovery periods. Recovery periods are very important, during exercise your body is put under a large amount of stress. The higher the intensity and duration period the more stress your body will have been under. During the recovery period you must try to restore your bodys natural balance, this includes the removal of the lactic acid and restoration of the muscle glycogen. The creatine phosphate system can be restored very quickly, almost as quickly as the energy is released from the system, this means as a result it is possible to repeat these short quick bursts of energy again and again for a few times without the onset of muscle fatigue. Once lactic acid is produced it will remain in the system for 45-60 minutes. If you can get the correct balance of training methods, recovery periods and diet (including carbohydrates) it is likely that it will impact performance and help achieve optimal sports performance. Each energy system has positives and negatives, some produce by-products but the body has a very good system to try to meet the demands we put on it. It adapts to the sports we take part in and supplies use with energy suited for the intensity and duration.

www.google.co.uk www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/energysystems.html Advanced PE and Sport Third edition John Honeybourne, Michael Hill and Helen Moors Sport Level 3 BTEC Book 1 Mark Adams, Ray Barker, Adam Gledhill, Chris Lydon, Chris Mulligan, Pam Phillippo and Louise Sutton Physical Education and the study of sport Fourth edition Bob Davis, Ros Bull, Jan Roscoe, Dennis Roscoe