LACTIC ACID ENERGY SYSTEM

AND
AEROBIC ENERGY SYSTEM
LACTIC ACID ENERGY SYSTEM
Source of Fuel – The lactic acid energy system uses carbohydrates
(CHO) as its only source of fuel and relies on anaerobic glycolysis for its
production of ATP. Glycolysis is the breakdown of glucose to produce ATP. In
anaerobic glycolysis the glucose (sourced from glycogen in the muscle or
glucose in the blood) is turned into lactic acid as it produces ATP.
EFFICIENCY OF ATP PRODUCTION
This system produces ATP at a fast rate and can
produce a lot of ATP. The lactic acid system
produces 2 ATP for each glucose molecule it breaks
down, however, it also produces lactic acid in the
process.
DURATION THAT THE SYSTEM CAN OPERATE
The lactic acid system lasts between 30 seconds and 3
minutes depending on the intensity. The less intense the
activity the longer it will last, because it will be producing
lactic acid at a slower rate at the lower intensity levels.
CAUSE OF FATIGUE
The cause of fatigue in the lactic acid system is the build up of
pyruvic acid in the muscle. Pyruvic acid is made up of two molecules;
pyruvate and a hydrogen ion (H+). Without oxygen the body
converts the pyruvate and two H+ to lactate. This helps to reduce
the acidity of the muscle and allows anaerobic glycolysis to last
longer, as the lactate is removed from the muscle and taken to the
liver where it is converted to a useful fuel source such as glucose.
However, in continued high intensity activity the lactate cannot be
removed fast enough, which results in a build up of pyruvic acid. It is
specifically the build up of the H+ within the muscle that causes
fatigue. It does this by increasing the acidity of the muscle and
causing the enzymes needed for anaerobic glycolysis to slow down.
BY-PRODUCTS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION
The main by-product of the lactic acid system is
pyruvic acid (pyruvate and H+). This by-product is
then converted to lactate and transported out of the
muscle to the liver to be converted to glucose.
PROCESS AND RATE OF RECOVERY
The process of recovery once fatigue has occurred
requires oxygen. Pyruvic acid in the presence of oxygen
will be converted to acetyl coenzyme A, which is then
broken down through the Krebs cycle to produce more ATP.
Without oxygen it is converted to lactate and removed
from the muscle and taken to the liver to be converted into
glucose. This process can take anywhere between 30 and
60 min.
EXAMPLES
The lactic acid energy system is the dominant system in sports,
which require a high intensity for longer than 10 seconds. Sports
such as 200m or 400m run, or 50m and 100m swim are highly
reliant on the lactic acid system. Other times when it is used would
include repeated high intensity activities during other sports such as
tennis running back and forth with small breaks in-between,
repeated tackles in rugby or an extended piece of high intensity in
any other sport such as a full-back going forward in an attack and
then having to retreat in soccer.
AEROBIC ENERGY SYSTEM
Source of Fuel – The aerobic system can use CHO, fats, and protein as its
source of fuel, though protein is used sparingly. The aerobic system uses aerobic
glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain in its production of ATP. It
is the presence of oxygen, which allows this energy system to use these various fuel
sources.
EFFICIENCY OF ATP PRODUCTION –
The aerobic system is very efficient in producing
ATP. It produces 38 ATP molecules per glucose, but
the rate of production is medium and cannot cope
with the higher intensity levels.
DURATION THAT THE SYSTEM CAN OPERATE
This energy system can produce ATP continuously for well over an
hour. In fact, it may not have a limit as long as fuel sources can be
found (you will die if this energy system cannot be used). However,
your muscle glycogen will deplete after about an hour of exercise,
which will result in an increased need for oxygen as fats becomes
the dominant fuel source and uses more oxygen per ATP produced
than CHO.
CAUSE OF FATIGUE
Though this system does not need to stop, a reduction in
intensity will occur when CHO stores deplete. Since fats
require more oxygen to produce ATP than CHO, an athlete will
normally decrease their intensity when their main fuel source
switches from CHO to fats. This is often called hitting the wall.
If it is possible for the athlete to transport oxygen at a faster
rate than they are when their CHO run out, then their body will
adjust and bring the extra oxygen to the muscle. This will mean
an increase in respiration and possibly an increase in heart
rate and cardiac output, but it will allow the athlete to continue
to perform.
BY-PRODUCTS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION –
The aerobic system produces water and carbon dioxide as
by-products in its production of ATP. Water can build up in
the muscle and cause stiffness and a sort of “swelling” if
exercise is continued at a high enough intensity for long
enough, but generally it is transferred out of the muscle
and into the blood as water is being lost through sweat
during exercise. The carbon dioxide is taken out of the
muscle and expired by the lungs into the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide, if not removed can cause fatigue, but is
normally removed well.
PROCESS AND RATE OF RECOVERY
Recovery for the aerobic system is about restoring fuel
stores to their pre-exercise levels. This requires the
ingestion, digestion and transportation of the fuel and can
take between 12 and 48 hours depending on the intensity
and duration of the aerobic performance.
EXAMPLES
The aerobic system is the dominant system for any
sport or activity that lasts more than 3 minutes. This
includes most team sports such as netball, soccer,
rugby, and AFL as well as many individual sports
such as 1500m swimming, marathon running, cycling,
triathlons, tennis and iron mans.