3 energy pathways your body uses for different exercises

By: Juan Rodriguez

How does Creatine play a role in our energy system?

Creatine is a supplement taken by many exercisers that allows their bodies to perform better during a power exercise that lasts about 0-6 seconds. Our bodies first energy system is called the Phosphocreatine energy system (ATP-PC). In this system, Creatine  allows for our muscles to quickly replenish the energy that is being used during the exercise. If we run out of Creatine at some point during our 6 second intervals, we turn to our next energy system called Glycolysis. The question is, what is the benefit of taking Creatine? Well, if we take about 25-30 second breaks between our interval training, our body will be able to restore the energy we spent during our 0-6 second bouts. This is good news for those power lifters or sprinters that perform quick and powerful activities. What happens if we exercise passed the 0-6 second mark? At that point, our body will stop utilizing Creatine as a form of creating energy and begin using another energy system called Glycolysis.  

Why do we need Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates play an essential role in our bodies when we are performing fast paced exercises that last roughly about 6 seconds to 2 minutes long. These Carbohydrates are broken down to glycogen (sugar) and are used as energy for the body. This process is called Glycolysis. During this process, glycogen (sugar) is then broken down to a more simpler form and as a byproduct, lactic acid accumulates in our muscles. If you don't already know, lactic acid build up is the feeling we get when we feel the "burn" during our exercise routine and causes our body to fatigue. So, how do we remove lactic acid? All in short, Lactic Acid is turned into energy and carbon dioxide through a system called the Cori Cycle. It is important and crucial that our bodies are supplied with Carbohydrates to ensure that we have the necessary energy that is needed for our exercise routine! when do we ever use fat as energy? Fat is another source of energy that requires a longer time to break down, which means that our demand for energy must slow down as well! 

How does Fat play a role in our bodies? ​

Fat is another source of energy that requires a longer time to break down, which means that our demand for energy must slow down as well! ​Any exercise passed about the 2 minute mark requires the usage of oxygen and the breakdown of Fat. This form of energy is the least powerful of the three energy systems we use. This explains why this form of energy is used for a lot of endurance athletes. One thing to keep in mind is that we will always use a certain percentage of every source of energy. For example, if we were doing a long distance exercise our primary use of energy would be Fat, but we will also be utilizing a certain percentage of Carbohydrates at the same time!

Questions?

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