THE ROLE of ENERGY SYSTEMS in DETERMINING LOADING PARAMETERS for GOAL-ORIENTED EXERCISE

The primary difference between the two systems is in the capacity of the system. You can think of capacity as the amount of time that the system can work at peak output before dropping off. Whereas the ATP-CP system will only produce energy for 10 seconds, fast glycolysis works at capacity for as long as two minutes. As a result, waste products such as lactic acid accumulate in the blood and in muscle cells. A burning sensation in the muscle, shortness of breath, and fatigue are all symptoms of lactic acid build up.

Aerobic Energy System

The aerobic system is the most utilized of the three. It provides energy for low intensity activities that last anywhere from two minutes to a few hours. Unlike the other two systems, the aerobic system requires oxygen and takes much longer to overload. Sports and activities that use continuous sustained efforts such as long distance swimming, crew (rowing), and sea kayaking rely on the aerobic system.

In reality, most sports use a variety of energy systems, or at least the power (time to reach peak output) and the capacity (duration that peak output can be sustained) of the system. The only real exceptions are Olympic weight lifting and certain field events, such as hammer or shot put. Which energy system is most prevalent in a given sport dictates the training intent.

Training Intent

The training intent refers to the athlete’s desired outcome from training, whether it is relative strength, hypertrophy, or strength endurance. Every athlete has a training intent that is specific to his or her sport, which is shaped and defined by specific loading parameters.

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