Energy System Characteristics
This molecule provides the immediate energy required for muscular contraction.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
A basketball player performs a single maximal vertical jump. Which energy system is particularly important for rapidly supplying ATP for this explosive effort?
ATP-PC system.
What does the term energy-system interplay describe?
The simultaneous contribution of the ATP-PC, anaerobic glycolysis and aerobic systems to ATP resynthesis, with their relative contributions changing according to the demands of exercise.
What does PCr stand for?
Phosphocreatine.
What are the three Fairhills school values?
Act Responsibly, Build Relationships, Show Respect
This energy system uses stored phosphocreatine to rapidly resynthesise ATP.
ATP-PC system.
A runner completes a prolonged, steady-paced run. Which energy system generally makes the greatest contribution to ATP resynthesis?
Aerobic system.
Does the aerobic system contribute during a maximal sprint?
Yes. It contributes from the beginning of exercise, although its relative contribution may be smaller than that of the anaerobic systems during a short maximal sprint.
Which energy system plays an important role in supporting PCr restoration during recovery between high-intensity efforts?
The aerobic system.
Mick Holloway
This energy system breaks down glucose to resynthesise ATP without directly requiring oxygen for that process.
Anaerobic glycolysis.
A 400-metre runner races at high intensity for approximately 55 seconds. Which energy system is expected to make a substantial contribution to ATP resynthesis across the race, alongside the other systems?
Anaerobic glycolysis.
A player completes repeated high-intensity efforts during a match. Explain why anaerobic energy systems are important during these efforts.
They can resynthesise ATP at high rates to meet the immediate energy demands of intense activity. The ATP-PC system is particularly important during very short, explosive efforts, while anaerobic glycolysis contributes as intense efforts continue.
Explain why PCr restoration is important for an athlete who repeatedly performs explosive efforts.
PCr supports rapid ATP resynthesis during short, intense efforts. Restoring PCr during recovery helps the athlete maintain their capacity to repeat these efforts.
Scout & Bonnie
Explain two characteristics of the aerobic energy system that make it suitable for supporting prolonged physical activity.
A footballer performs repeated short sprints throughout a match, with jogging and walking between efforts. Explain why it would be incorrect to identify only one energy system as contributing to the match.
All three energy systems contribute simultaneously. The ATP-PC system is particularly important for short, explosive efforts, anaerobic glycolysis contributes during intense efforts, and the aerobic system contributes throughout the match and supports recovery.
Explain how the aerobic system supports a player who repeatedly performs short, intense efforts followed by lower-intensity movement.
The aerobic system contributes to ATP resynthesis during the lower-intensity periods and supports PCr restoration. This helps the player prepare for subsequent high-intensity efforts.
A basketball player completes a 5-second maximal sprint, followed by 30 seconds of walking. Explain how the aerobic system contributes during the recovery period.
The aerobic system resynthesises ATP, supporting PCr restoration in the working muscles. This helps prepare the player for the next sprint.
List the heads of each area:
Art/Tech, HPE, Eng/Hums, Maths/Sci, Japanese
Mrs O'Conner, Mr Burrows, Mrs McGillicuddy, Mr Chamberlain, Ms Winstone
Compare the ATP-PC and anaerobic glycolysis systems in terms of their fuel, rate of ATP resynthesis and typical contribution to high-intensity exercise.
Compare the energy-system demands of a single maximal 5-second sprint and a maximal 60-second running effort. Explain why the relative contributions of the energy systems are likely to differ.
The ATP-PC system makes a particularly important contribution during the very short sprint because it rapidly resynthesises ATP. During the longer effort, anaerobic glycolysis is expected to make a greater contribution as the activity continues, while the aerobic system also contributes. The relative contributions differ because the duration and intensity of the effort influence the rate and capacity of ATP resynthesis required.
A student claims that a 400-metre runner uses only anaerobic energy systems because the race is performed at high intensity. Explain why this statement is incorrect.
All three energy systems contribute simultaneously, including the aerobic system. The anaerobic systems make substantial contributions because of the high-intensity demands, but the aerobic system also resynthesises ATP throughout the race. High intensity does not mean the aerobic system stops operating.
Two athletes perform repeated maximal sprints. Athlete A has a longer recovery period between sprints than Athlete B. Explain why Athlete A may be better prepared for the next sprint.
The longer recovery period provides more time for aerobic ATP resynthesis and PCr restoration. Athlete A may therefore have greater PCr availability for the next sprint, helping support rapid ATP resynthesis. The extent of recovery also depends on factors such as the athlete's fitness and the intensity of the previous effort.
List the heights (in cm) of Harbs, Burrows, Mr M & Mr Wright.
198cm
193cm
173cm
191cm