Anaerobic energy systems and the energy continuum

Overview

The ATP-PC system and coupled reactions, the anaerobic glycolytic system, their durations, advantages and disadvantages, the energy continuum and thresholds, and fibre types.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   How does the ATP-PC system resynthesise ATP?

   Model answer

   Creatine kinase breaks phosphocreatine down into phosphate and creatine, releasing energy. The released energy rebuilds ATP from ADP and phosphate.

2. 2

   What is a coupled reaction?

   Model answer

   A coupled reaction is one in which the energy from one reaction drives another. Energy from phosphocreatine breakdown drives the resynthesis of ATP.

3. 3

   How long can the ATP-PC system supply energy during maximal effort?

   Model answer

   The ATP-PC system can supply energy for up to about 10 seconds of maximal effort.

4. 4

   Give two advantages of the ATP-PC system.

   Model answer

   The ATP-PC system resynthesises ATP very rapidly, needing no oxygen. The ATP-PC system produces no fatiguing by-products.

5. 5

   What are the disadvantages of the ATP-PC system?

   Model answer

   Phosphocreatine stores are small, so the system lasts only about 10 seconds. Each phosphocreatine molecule resynthesises only one ATP.

6. 6

   Which activities rely mainly on the ATP-PC system?

   Model answer

   Short, maximal efforts rely mainly on the ATP-PC system. Examples include a 100 m sprint, a shot put and a triple jump.

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