PED Ch6 - Energy Systems

Chemical fuels

PC and glycogen

Food fuels

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins

Phosphocreatine characteristics

Fastest rate, lowest yield, short duration explosive activity

Carbohydrate characteristics

Fast rate, medium yield, moderate intensity activity, can be broken down aerobically and anaerobically

Transport form of carbohydrates

Glucose

Storage form of carbohydrates

Glycogen in the muscles and liver

Simple carbohydrates

Made up of one or two glucose molecules and provide an immediate release of energy (e.g. watermelon, potatoes, lollies, fruit juice)

Complex carbohydrates

Made up of hundreds of glucose molecules and provide a gradual, sustained release of energy (e.g. pasta, grainy breads, most fruits and vegetables)

Fat characteristics

Slow rate, high yield, used at rest in an abundance of oxygen

Saturated fats

Contain cholesterol and are found in animal products (e.g. meat, milk, cheese)

Unsaturated fats

Contain essential fatty acids and lower cholesterol

Polyunsaturated fats examples

Found in oily fish and most vegetable oils (e.g. sunflower oil)

Mono-unsaturated fats examples

Found in olive oil, avocado and nuts

Transport form of fats

Free fatty acids

Storage form of fats

Triglyceride in muscles and adipose tissue

Protein characteristics

Slowest rate, only used in extreme conditions

Proteins containing amino acid examples

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products

Proteins without amino acid examples

Cereals, grains, lentils, beans and peas

Amino acids

The digested form of protein that is transported and stored in the body

ATP-PC system characteristics

Breaks down PC anaerobically. Fastest rate, lowest yield, maximal intensity explosive activity lasting 0-10 seconds

Anaerobic glycolysis system characteristics

Breaks down glycogen anaerobically. Fast rate, small yield, repeated high intensity efforts or surges above submaximal intensity lasting 10-90 seconds

Aerobic system characteristics (using glycogen)

Breaks down glycogen aerobically. Slow rate, high yield, submaximal intensity exercise

Aerobic system characteristics (using fat)

Breaks down triglycerides and free fatty acids aerobically. Slowest rate, highest yield, submaximal intensity endurance exercise

ATP demand

How much ATP is required and the rate at which it is expended, and therefore needs to be resynthesised

Two factors that determine ATP demand

Duration and intensity of the exercise

Rate

How quickly ATP is resynthesised

Yield

The total amount of ATP that is resynthesised during an exercise from a specific fuel