The human structure is a limited edition therefore the
program has built in limitation factors.
Kick-Start Energy
Energy is limited by its supply and its capacity to
energise. The human vehicle requires fuel in the form of
food to sustain itself and oxygen to sustain movement
capability. Muscular skeletal movement capability is through
the chemical provision of Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP)
within the muscles. The ATP already provided in the muscles
is the structures kick-start mechanism. This initial supply
of ATP termed the phosphate system does not require or need
oxygen to provide energy for movement and in combination
with Creatine Phosphate provides energy for 5-10 seconds of
maximal effort. Half the utilised ATP is replenished within
thirty seconds and fully within two to three minutes. Whilst
the phosphate system is aligned to power events like
throwing a punch, a shot putt, jumping, sprinting or
kicking a ball, it is the phosphate system that is utilised
the instant we race out of bed in the morning late for work.
Short Term Energy
The capacity of the phosphate system allows that initial
burst of energy and then gives way to the lactic system that
then predominates by producing ATP from glycogen sugar
stores in structural muscle.
|
|
|
Nature provides the required ATP but limits the
capacity by producing lactic acid as a by-product of supply
causing muscle fatigue within 45-60 second of maximal
effort. It is then a question of either slow down or fall
down.
Long Haul Energy
Slowing down from maximum effort allows oxygen to come to
the rescue. Oxygen combines with glycogen to produce ATP
energy in the muscles without limiting by-products thus
enabling sustained movement capability only limited by the
structures ability to utilise oxygen and provide fuel to the
muscles.
United We Stand
The without oxygen anaerobic kick-start phosphate and
short-term lactic energy providing systems work
simultaneously with the oxygen long haul aerobic system to
provide ATP energy as and when required from sprints right
through to long distance events. It is the long distance
athletes ability to quickly gear change through anaerobic
conditioning that determines success as it is in any
predominately aerobic events over two minutes duration.
Heart rate is a gauge of effort and oxygen uptake is a gauge
of fitness with the predominate energy system determined by
effort, the time factor, and oxygen utilisation capability.
|
|
