Advantages & Disadvantages of the Energy Systems
The Alactic Energy System
Advantages
Very Fast reaction speed
Can create energy very very fast for quick burst of maximal effort
No Bi-Products
O2 not required so no delay
Phospho Creatine resynthesisis quickly and recover time is very quick
Very few steps in reaction
High intensity energy for high intensity exercise
Disadvantages
Only lasts for 10 seconds
Small amount of Phospho Creatine
One molecule of ATP resynthesised for one molecule of Phospho Creatine
The Lactic Acid System
Advantages
Has a fast speed of reaction for fast work
Does not require O2
Few chemical reactions
Large amount provides more ATP than the Alactic Energy System
Disadvantages
Lowers PH in muscle which prevents enzymes from working so glucose and
glycogen cannot be broken down, this results in fatigue and muscle spasms
Creates Pyruvic Acid which turns into Lactic Acid
Aerobic Energy System
Advantages
Can work continually from 2 minutes onwards and can last for a very long
period of time.
Breaks down potential fat energy
Bi-Products aren’t harmful and can be breathed and perspired from the body
Large amounts of ATP 38 Molecules for 1 Glycogen
Disadvantages
Can only work in sub-maximal work
Endurance work can cause dehydration and boredom
Cannot resynthesise ATP immediately
Short delay for O2 to transport from lungs to working muscles
Cannot provide ATP while working at higher intensities because of the time
taken to get to the working muscles
Muscles have to be fully saturated with oxygen before the energy system can
take effect
, Aerobic Energy System
Site of Reaction – Mitochondria, Sarcoplasm
Presence of O2 - Yes
Fuel Used – Carbohydrates, Glucose, Glycogen, Fats
Active Enzyme – Glycogen Phosphorylase, Phosphofructokinase, Lipoprotein
Lipase
Speed of Reaction – Slow
Threshold – 2 Mins +
Biproducts – CO2 & H20
Effects of Biproducts – None
Energy Yield –
Stage 1 – 2 ATP (Lactic Acid System)
Stage 2 – 2 ATP
Stage 3 – 34 ATP
Enzyme Inhibited by – Insulin inhibits the breakdown of fat, insulin is secreted in
large amounts to counteract high levels of blood sugar, It accelerates the diffusion of
glucose into the cells from the blood.
Enzyme Activated by – Presence of Lactic Acid, levels of activity reduced,
increased amount of O2 taken in. Enzymes work better and will completely
breakdown glucose, to produce large amounts of ATP.
Brief Outline
Stage 1 - Glycolysis – The breakdown of Glucose/ Glycogen
Stage 2 - Crebs Cycle/ Citric Acid Cycle
Stage 3 - Electron Transfer Chain
Practical Application of the Aerobic Energy System
Endurance type activities
Sub-maximal work
Marathon Runners
Triathlon
Dehydration can negatively affect performance as well as boredom.
, Alactic Energy System
Adenosine TriPhosphate /PhosphoCreatine System
Site of Reaction – Sarcoplasm
Presence of O2 - None
Fuel Used – Phosphocreatine
Active Enzyme – Creatine Kinase
Speed of Reaction – Very Fast
Threshold – 10 Seconds
Biproducts – None
Effects of Biproducts – None
Energy Yield – 1 Phosphocreatine / 1 ATP molecule
Enzyme Inhibited by – High levels of ATP
Enzyme Activated by – Increase in Adenosine DiPhosphate levels.
There are two reactions to re-synthesise ATP, they are IMMEDIATW &
CONSECUTIVE
These two reactions are known as a COUPLED REACTION
EXOTHERMIC REACTION
PC P + C + Energy
Creatine Kinase
ENDOTHERMIC REACTION
Energy + ADP + P ATP
Practical Application
A 100 metre race would be a good example for the ATP/PC system
In the 100m race the body cannot maintain maximum speed for longer than 6
seconds
The runner may actually be slowing down in the later part of the race
In such activities the quantities of intromusclar phosphate (CP) may
significantly influence a performers ability to regenerate intense energy for
short durations
Quantities of intromuscular phosphate (CP) is linked to appropriate dietary
intake and specific aerobic training
The Alactic Energy System
Advantages
Very Fast reaction speed
Can create energy very very fast for quick burst of maximal effort
No Bi-Products
O2 not required so no delay
Phospho Creatine resynthesisis quickly and recover time is very quick
Very few steps in reaction
High intensity energy for high intensity exercise
Disadvantages
Only lasts for 10 seconds
Small amount of Phospho Creatine
One molecule of ATP resynthesised for one molecule of Phospho Creatine
The Lactic Acid System
Advantages
Has a fast speed of reaction for fast work
Does not require O2
Few chemical reactions
Large amount provides more ATP than the Alactic Energy System
Disadvantages
Lowers PH in muscle which prevents enzymes from working so glucose and
glycogen cannot be broken down, this results in fatigue and muscle spasms
Creates Pyruvic Acid which turns into Lactic Acid
Aerobic Energy System
Advantages
Can work continually from 2 minutes onwards and can last for a very long
period of time.
Breaks down potential fat energy
Bi-Products aren’t harmful and can be breathed and perspired from the body
Large amounts of ATP 38 Molecules for 1 Glycogen
Disadvantages
Can only work in sub-maximal work
Endurance work can cause dehydration and boredom
Cannot resynthesise ATP immediately
Short delay for O2 to transport from lungs to working muscles
Cannot provide ATP while working at higher intensities because of the time
taken to get to the working muscles
Muscles have to be fully saturated with oxygen before the energy system can
take effect
, Aerobic Energy System
Site of Reaction – Mitochondria, Sarcoplasm
Presence of O2 - Yes
Fuel Used – Carbohydrates, Glucose, Glycogen, Fats
Active Enzyme – Glycogen Phosphorylase, Phosphofructokinase, Lipoprotein
Lipase
Speed of Reaction – Slow
Threshold – 2 Mins +
Biproducts – CO2 & H20
Effects of Biproducts – None
Energy Yield –
Stage 1 – 2 ATP (Lactic Acid System)
Stage 2 – 2 ATP
Stage 3 – 34 ATP
Enzyme Inhibited by – Insulin inhibits the breakdown of fat, insulin is secreted in
large amounts to counteract high levels of blood sugar, It accelerates the diffusion of
glucose into the cells from the blood.
Enzyme Activated by – Presence of Lactic Acid, levels of activity reduced,
increased amount of O2 taken in. Enzymes work better and will completely
breakdown glucose, to produce large amounts of ATP.
Brief Outline
Stage 1 - Glycolysis – The breakdown of Glucose/ Glycogen
Stage 2 - Crebs Cycle/ Citric Acid Cycle
Stage 3 - Electron Transfer Chain
Practical Application of the Aerobic Energy System
Endurance type activities
Sub-maximal work
Marathon Runners
Triathlon
Dehydration can negatively affect performance as well as boredom.
, Alactic Energy System
Adenosine TriPhosphate /PhosphoCreatine System
Site of Reaction – Sarcoplasm
Presence of O2 - None
Fuel Used – Phosphocreatine
Active Enzyme – Creatine Kinase
Speed of Reaction – Very Fast
Threshold – 10 Seconds
Biproducts – None
Effects of Biproducts – None
Energy Yield – 1 Phosphocreatine / 1 ATP molecule
Enzyme Inhibited by – High levels of ATP
Enzyme Activated by – Increase in Adenosine DiPhosphate levels.
There are two reactions to re-synthesise ATP, they are IMMEDIATW &
CONSECUTIVE
These two reactions are known as a COUPLED REACTION
EXOTHERMIC REACTION
PC P + C + Energy
Creatine Kinase
ENDOTHERMIC REACTION
Energy + ADP + P ATP
Practical Application
A 100 metre race would be a good example for the ATP/PC system
In the 100m race the body cannot maintain maximum speed for longer than 6
seconds
The runner may actually be slowing down in the later part of the race
In such activities the quantities of intromusclar phosphate (CP) may
significantly influence a performers ability to regenerate intense energy for
short durations
Quantities of intromuscular phosphate (CP) is linked to appropriate dietary
intake and specific aerobic training
