D2 Energy Systems Analysis

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Energy Systems D2 After I analyse each aspect of the energy systems I will then explain why they are so vital in helping us when participating in sporting activities. First lets start by looking at what ATP is. Adenosine Triphoshate, better known as ATP is the energy our body uses willingly to create movement such as contractions in the muscles. ATP consists of one adenine and three phosphate molecules. It is produced through the breakdown of foods that we eat. It is then stored in our muscles, the only problem being it stores a small amount of ATP energy. For our bodies to keep producing the energy needed for an activity then ATP must be continually resythesised. To do this our body breaks down ATP using an enzyme so it becomes…show more content…
This is another effective method of resynthesizing ATP so that more energy can be released throughout the body to help carry out physical activities. This energy system is important because it comes into place immediately after creatine phosphate stores become depleted. Whilst the body recovers to re-establish CP the lactic acid system starts with the process anaerobic glycolysis. Due to lactic acid production, this energy system can only be predominant for up to 2 minutes. Therefore this substance needs to be removed from the body before it interferes with muscle contraction. Lactic acid is the limiting factor of this energy system. The acid is designed to build up and accumulate in the system. As exercise continues it diffuses through the blood and muscle tissues in the hope of impeding muscle contraction. This is what makes our working muscles stop because we feel an uncomfortable burning sensation in our muscles because the passageway of oxygen is being blocked by the lactic acid. This is why this system only lasts up to 2 minutes then it has to rely on the aerobic energy system. (We will come to this later…show more content…
Aerobic metabolism fuels most of the energy needed for long duration activity. It uses oxygen to convert nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and protein) to ATP. This happens in the mitochondria of the muscle cells it differs from the other two energy systems, as it requires oxygen to resythesize ATP. The aerobic energy system produces the largest amount of energy but it is mainly at its lowest intensity. When we start an exercise our bodies cannot deliver oxygen to the muscles fast enough therefore it heavily relying on the anaerobic processes for the initiating actions. The emphasis then goes on the aerobic system if the exercise is at low intensity. This system is a bit slower than the anaerobic systems because it relies on the circulatory system to transport oxygen to the working muscles before it creates ATP. The aerobic energy system works at moderate intensity as it works for longer duration of time; therefore the intensity is equal to the amount of time the activity lasts for. The aerobic system can only work when the energy demand is at the intensity for which the heart is able to provide the muscles with sufficient supply of
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