The energy continuum

The energy continuum (3)

• An energy continuum is used to consider the contribution that different energy systems make to the production of energy, depending on intensity and duration

• You can identify the PREDOMINANT ENERGY system based on the time of an

activity

• HOWEVER, there will be times when a performer will switch between the systems during an activity depending on INTENSITY & DURATION of the activity.

Which energy system is used in an activity that lasts less than 10 seconds and is very high intensity?

ATP-PC

Which 2 energy systems are used in an activity that lasts 8-90 seconds is very high to high intensity?

ATP-PC and anaerobic glycolytic

Which 2 energy systems are used in an activity that lasts 90 seconds - 3 minutes and is high intensity?

Anaerobic glycolytic and aerobic

Which energy system is used in an activity that lasts over 3 minutes and is medium to low intensity?

Aerobic

Energy systems used in a marathon (4)

• Predominantly aerobic

• Because the race lasts a long duration (2hrs+)

• Majority of the race involves running with the pack at a constant pace.

• HOWEVER, when the pace increases e.g. extended sprint finish, the anaerobic system will be mainly used

Energy systems used in team games (5)

• Predominantly aerobic

• Because of the extended length of games (e.g. 90mins) involving periods of low intensity jogging or walking

• However, games are intermittent and more energy demanding than continuous activities. They may involve:

• High intensity extended sprints down the wing in football lasting over 10s (anaerobic glycolytic system).

• Short sprints on whistle to receive centre pass in netball (ATP-PC system).

Energy systems used in a 100m sprint (2)

•Predominantly uses the ATP-PC system because the race lasts a short duration

• BUT relies on the anaerobic glycolytic system towards the end of the race as it lasts just over 10 seconds and PC stores deplete.

Similarity between energy system used for a football midfielder and goal keeper

Both systems will predominantly use the aerobic system due to the length of the game

Differences between energy systems used for a football midfielder and goal keeper (3)

• Midfield position will be more energy demanding than a GK because the player must switch between the different energy systems

• Midfield player is likely to use the anaerobic glycolytic system more than a GK because they must execute extended sprints

• A GK may use the ATP-PC system more than the anaerobic glycolytic system because they must react quickly and use explosive muscle contractions e.g. jump, dive, etc.

3 Similarities between energy systems used in football and basketball

•Both games are PREDOMINANTLY

AEROBIC (football 90mins+, basketball 40mins+) e.g. jogging, walking.

•HOWEVER, there are times when the ATP.

PC system will be used e.g. high intensity/explosive activities e.g. jumps, short sprints to get free.

•There are also times when the anaerobic glycolytic system will be used by players e.g. fast breaks, sprint down the wing.

4 Differences between energy systems used in football and basketball

• Basketball is played at a higher intensity than football so has more anaerobic elements than football.

•Basketball has a smaller playing area and all players have to cover the full court.

• Basketball plavers will build up lactate at a faster rate.

•However there are time outs in basketball to aid recovery.

ATP generation in slow twitch fibres (7)

• more suited to producing ATP aerobically because they have:

• high number of mitochondria

• high levels of myoglobin

• high capillary density

• high aerobic capacity

• high fatiguability

• production is slow but fibres don't fatigue easily

ATP generation in fast twitch fibres (6)

• More suites to producing ATP anaerobically because they have:

• high ATPase activity

• high PC + glycogen stores

• high glycogen stores

• high force production

• fast contraction speed

• production is very fast but the fibres fatigue very quickly