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The Energy Systems of the Bodys

What are the Energy Systems of the Body?
There are two main energy systems in the body, called the aerobic and the anaerobic system. The energy in our bodies helps us to sustain growth, everyday exercise and activity, and general maintenance. The amount of energy expended by our bodies during exercise is dependent on the duration and intensity level of that exercise.

Aerobic System:
When energy is produced during the breakdown of food it produces ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). The energy we use to exercise is produced by burning food with oxygen. The aerobic system breaks down carbohydrates, some amino acids and fatty acids to work. It also uses twitch fibers, because it uses oxygen it can run longer.
Anaerobic System:
Relying on food stores already in the body without oxygen this energy system only works in small bursts during intense activity and produces lactic acid that cause muscle fatigue. There are two anaerobic systems, the ATP-PC System (Alactic) and the anaerobic glycolysis (Lactic) which results from the degradation of glycogen/glucose. The ATP_PC system is used for quick actions, its found in both muscle fiber types and doesn’t require or make oxygen. The anaerobic glycol When we use up both of these resources we slow down and begin to experience muscle fatigue. So when we don’t supply enough resources to these systems through good eating habits we are more likely to use up our resources quickly and be unable to be active for long periods. glycolysis is used for activities that last about 10 seconds to a minute and produces lactic acid also without using oxygen.

How Do They Help?
The aerobic system comes into play first, it helps by increasing blood flow and deepening our breaths as our body’s demand for active muscle tissue and energy rises. When the aerobic energy system is not able to provide enough energy to us during exercise the anaerobic system begins to work. This system provides energy without added oxygen. When we use up both of these resources we slow down and begin to experience muscle fatigue. So when we don’t supply enough resources to these systems through good eating habits we are more likely to use up our resources quickly and be unable to be active for long periods.

Understanding how these systems work in your body can help you to use your energy more efficiently by fueling the body properly. Sports nutrition is intended to help us better understand the way carbs, fats and proteins contribute to our body’s fuel supply for exercise. Carbs have been proven to provide a better source of energy for moderate to high intensity exercise, fats provide energy for low intensity exercise for long periods and proteins help to repair and maintain body tissues. Fat can be useful for endurance events but can’t help us with higher intensity exercise such as intervals or sprints. If your exercise is of a lower intensity fat can fuel it for hours or even days as long as you have enough oxygen to help metabolize it.

As the intensity of your exercise increases carb metabolism begins to take over. Though it runs more efficiently than fat, carb metabolism isn’t able to provide fuel for as long(it provides about 2 hours of moderate to high energy exercise). If this fuel isn’t replaced you will hit a wall and you will have to reduce your intensity and your body will have to fall back on fat energy. As your intensity increases your ability to maintain carb metabolism efficiency degrades and your body falls back on anaerobic energy. This happens because your body’s ability to produce enough oxygen for metabolizing fats or carbs is reduced.

Training causes your systems to become more efficient and adapt to your changing activity levels, making it easier to exercise longer and with more intensity.