Know The Different Types Of Energy Systems 5.

Will Batcup

Introduction Energy Systems The body extracts energy from different types of food. It is then transferred to the contractile proteins in the muscles determines your capacity to exercise for different durations at differing intensities. There are thousands of complex chemicals which react that cause these chemical reactions which results in energy transfer. The body maintains a continuous supply of energy through the use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) this is often referred to as the energy currency of the body. ATP consists of a base and three phosphate groups. It is formed by a reaction between an adenosine diphosphate molecule and a phosphate (Btec Sport, 2010) TP is a versatile molecule that can be used for many things. Energy is stored in the chemical bonds in the molecules. When a bond is broken, energy is then released. When a bond is made, energy is then stored. When ADP binds with another phosphate, energy is stored for later use. When a molecule of ATP is combined with water, the last group splits off and energy is released The energy systems of the body can function aerobically which means with oxygen and anaerobically which means without oxygen. Movements that require sudden burst of effort are powered by energy systems that do not require oxygen such as a snatch in weight lifting. This would require a short burst of energy in order to perform the movement. Anaerobic systems require oxygen as this energy system is suited for prolonged activities such as Marathon running. Energy is required in order to make the muscle fibres contract. It is obtained from the oxidation of foods in the diet, the main foods that give the body the most energy are Carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrate- is broken down to a simple sugar known as glucose, which if not required immediately by your body will be converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles Fat is broken down to form free fatty acids. When these substances are burned in the muscles cell, ATP is formed. When ATP is broken down, it gives energy for muscles contraction. It is the only molecule that can supply the energy used in contraction of muscle fibres and can be made in three ways which I am going to go on and explain.

Creatine phosphate energy system Phosphocreatine provides the means of regenerating small quantities of ATP extremely rapidly, so boosting short duration activities. Muscles are much less prone to fatigue and the capacity to undertake demanding exercise is increased. Activities such as weight training short sprints shot put Jumping

The creatine phosphate molecule can be broken down quickly and is used to turn ADP back into ATP. The phosphate system is suitable for single or continuous short bursts of energy of around 10 seconds (as soon as ATP is broken down to ADP is it restored to ATP). The amount of creatine phosphate in muscles is limited, which is why athletes often use creatine phosphate supplements. This system is also called the ATP/PC system, the Alactate Anaerobic System and the ATP + CP system
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Below is a table showing the duration of the exercise and what energy systems are used: Duration 1 to 4 seconds 4 to 10 seconds 10 to 45 seconds 45 to 120 seconds 120 to 240 seconds 240 to 600 seconds Classification Anaerobic Anaerobic Anaerobic Anaerobic, Lactic Aerobic + Anaerobic Aerobic Energy Supplied By ATP (in muscles) ATP + CP ATP + CP + Muscle glycogen Muscle glycogen Muscle glycogen + lactic acid Muscle glycogen + fatty acids

Lactic Acid Energy System This is a short term energy system. To meet energy requirements of higher intensity over a longer period, such as a 400 metre race, ATP can be made by the partial breakdown of glucose and glycogen which is broken down from mainly carbohydrates. This is an anaerobic process that does not require oxygen and there for is not sustainable over a long duration. Around 60-90 seconds of maximal work is possible using this system. The lactic acid system is capable of releasing energy to resynthesise ATP without the involvement of oxygen and is called anaerobic glycolysis. When the atp-cp system begins to fade at around 10 seconds, the process of anaerobic glycolysis begins. This system breaks down liver and muscle glycogen stores without the presence of oxygen, which produces lactic acid as a by-product. The word Lactic acid is commonly used by athletes when they are feeling discomfort in their muscles after exercise Lactic acid is the limiting factor of the anaerobic system. It accumulates and diffuses into the tissue fluid and blood. If this substance is not removed by the circulatory system, it builds up to impede muscles contraction and cause fatigue. You may have experienced this as an uncomfortable burning sensation in your muscles during intense exercise(Btec sport, 2010)

Aerobic energy system This is the long-term energy system. This requires oxygen so if plenty of oxygen is available, as it is during everyday movements and light exercise, glycogen and fatty acids break down to provide large amounts of ATP. This produces carbon dioxide and water, which do not affect the ability of muscles to contract. aerobic energy production occurs in the mitochondria of the cells. These re the power stations of the cells, responsible for converting food into energy. The production of energy within the aerobic system is slow to engage because it takes a few minutes for the heart to deliver oxygenated blood to working muscles. Long, continuous and moderate exercise produces energy using this system (Btec Sport, 2010) Many people think that each energy system is used individually depending on what type of exercise you are taking part in, this is not the case as all three energy systems are being used at once. However, the emphasis changes depending on the intensity of the activity relative to the efficiency of your aerobic fitness I e your ability to deliver and utilise oxygen.

How the contribute to sports and exercise As mentioned above all energy systems are active at any time depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise. They burn off ATP in about 3 seconds. The Phosphocreatine system usually takes over at about 8-10 seconds which is suited for a sprinter. If the exercise is continuous then the lactic acid system would be used, this is usually at around 400m running. If the exercise is even more prolonged then the aerobic system would kick in and oxygen would be needed. Below is a table showing different energy systems which would be used for different sports: Sport Archery Basketball Hockey Netball Football Distance Events Jumping events Sprinting events Throwing events Creatine phosphate Lactic Acid Energy Aerobic Energy system System system high high high high high high high high low moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate Moderate/high low high low high high -

Sporting example. I am now going to compare a sprinter and a marathon runner and identify the different energy systems used, and why these energy systems are used for each exercise. Sprinter- The energy system which is mainly used in this exercise is the phosphocreatine system. This energy system is used as the exercise is a high intensity so creatine phosphate is stored in the muscles and is broken down to provide energy to make ATP. In this process ATP is usually made without the presence of oxygen. Explosive work can be achieved, but only lasts up to about 10 seconds at maximum intensity. The lactic acid system is also used in this exercise as the foods which have been broken down into glucose and glycogen, ATP will be made from these. Marathon- This energy system requires oxygen, it is similar to the lactic acid system as ATP is also made from glycogen and fatty acids. As a marathon is a prolonged exercise the production of energy within the aerobic system is slow to engage as it takes a few minutes for the heart to deliver oxygenated blood to the working muscles this is ideal as this cycle is continuous so the runner will keep getting a supply of energy from the oxygenated blood which has been delivered into the working muscles.