Guest Blog from TrueFitness: Another Source for Creating Energy

Recently we have discussed how we produce energy for power and strength.  Energy for power is produced through the creation of more ATP from the breakdown of the compound Creatine Phosphate.  Energy for strength is created through the breakdown of glucose through the process of glycolysis.  There is one more source for creating more energy and today we will discuss that process.

The Aerobic system is our most complex means for creating more ATP.  In order to created more ATP through aerobic metabolism we must go through the process known as the Krebs cycle.  The easy, short description of Krebs cycle is that pyruvate, fat and oxygen are added to each other at different steps of a metamorphosis and at different steps along the cycle new enzymes change the compound being created.  Eventually, having completed the journey through Krebs cycle the compound that is created is more ATP.

Our concern today is more about the function and output for the aerobic system than its method for creating more ATP.  The aerobic system is our method for creating a sustainable long term energy source. As long as oxygen is present then we can sustain our energy production for a limitless amount of time.  The aerobic system through the process of Krebs cycle has many steps and takes a longer time than the other energy systems to create more ATP.  Because of this, the aerobic system cannot handle immediate needs for more ATP.  The aerobic system is designed to handle the supply of ATP during low intensity exercises where the need may be great but demand is at a slower usage rate.  ATP production from the aerobic metabolism yields a great amount of ATP.  Because of this we can continue to use the aerobic system for a long time without any fatigue or decrease in ATP production.  As long as the intensity stays low and there is oxygen present we will be able to maintain the production and usage of ATP from the aerobic system.

The aerobic system is the main provider of energy during such activities as marathons, cross country skiing, cycling, and rowing.  Although these activities might have a period of power and strength they are mostly slow pace long duration type activities.  The aerobic system will be the dominant producer of ATP during these types of activities.

One of the components used to fuel the production of ATP during the Krebs cycle is fat.  When producing more ATP during the aerobic system the body will pull stored body fat from storage sites and use it as part of the compound to make more ATP.  This is the reason why most people do long slow distance type of exercises to burn off body fat.  Fat is part of the compound so doing aerobic exercise will help improve our levels of body fat and help to decrease our body fat percentage.

This is merely a precursory discussion on the aerobic system.  It is meant to discuss the basics and how the body can sustain energy for long durations of time as long as the intensity of the activity is kept low.  The body will burn body fat while using the aerobic system and while some of rugby requires long durations of movement, rugby is still mostly a power and speed sport so training needs to be focused on power and speed.

For more info and education on sports performance training be sure to check out our group page on Facebook, TrueFitness Performance Conditioning.  You will learn valuable lessons to be your best and improve your athleticism.
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Anyone in the San Diego area is welcome to drop in at our studio at 2949 Garnet Ave. 3rd floor, Pacific Beach, CA.  We would love to put you through our workout.   Please feel free to call or email Spencer Aiken,CSCS  (951) 296-7993 email:spencer@truefitness.biz

Article written by Spencer Aiken, CSCS, CEO, TrueFitness