ACHPER (SA)

2014

The Notion of INTERPLAY and the Energy Systems

The energy systems ALL contribute to the provision of energy for exercise .

This is essential they DO NOT work like the gears of a car one then the
other.

Many students believe and are misled to think this way.

The dominance of one particular energy system is dependant on the :

INTENSITY and DURATION of the activity or effort

In the case studies this should have been obvious. In the ATP-CP System
the 5 7 second maximal effort saw this system dominant, but energy was
also being derived from the Lactic Acid system AND the aerobic systems!

They ALL played a role in the ENERGY supply needed to complete the
activity.

THIS IS A CRITICAL POINT!

Key Concept 1: The Sources of Energy Affecting Physical Performance
Text Pages 25

 ACHPER (SA)
2014

The Notion of INTERPLAY and the Energy Systems

The graph section below will help point this interdependence out. (this is an enlarged

section of the graph on page 29 )

2
3

Aerobic System

Lactic Acid
System

By drawing lines at various

points in relation to time
the realisation that all the
energy systems contribute
to exercise or activity is
CLEARLY evident.
At the time of the activity
indicated by the X the
energy for activity was
predominantly coming
from the LACTIC ACID
system - 1

BUT the contribution from

the CP and AEROBIC
systems 3 and 2 are
Key Concept 1: The Sources of Energy Affecting Physical Performance
Text Pages 25 - 26
clearly measureable.

 ACHPER (SA)
2014

The Notion of INTERPLAY and the Energy Systems

The following diagram does the same thing BUT in a different way (it was constructed

using data from a number of different models)

Describe the relationship
observed in the energy
systems dominance seen in
the graph.
Answer = All the energy
systems contribute to
energy release for
activity or exercise
The systems change in
their dominant roles
that is the anaerobic
ones are dominant when
activity is of a high
intensity (MAXIMAL) but
a short duration.
The aerobic ones are
dominant when activity
is of a LONG duration
but a LOWER intensity
(sub-maximal)
Key Concept 1: The Sources of Energy Affecting Physical Performance
Text Pages 26 - 27

 ACHPER (SA)
2014

The Notion of INTERPLAY and the Energy Systems

Case Study The Interplay of the Energy Systems in a Team
Game

The graph shows the heart rate of an elite player during a team game of two 30
minute halves.

The halves are separated by a break time of 10 minutes .

Key Concept 1: The Sources of Energy Affecting Physical Performance

Text Pages 27

 ACHPER (SA)
2014

The Notion of INTERPLAY and the Energy Systems

Case Study The Interplay of the Energy Systems in a Team
Game.
Describe the heart rate pattern seen
in the graph.
Answer = Heart Rate goes up
and down from maximal
efforts of high heart rate (over
90% of maximum) to low to
medium levels of effort ( submaximum around 80% or lower
maximal heart rate)
Point A on the graph.
Heart rate is over 90% of maximum
maximal effort. Dominant energy
system - anaerobic system - intensity
doesnt enable sufficient oxygen
delivery to allow energy supply to
Point B on the graph.
sustain this effort. Dominance of the
Players heart rate 50% of maximum - sub-maximal effort. ATP-CP or Lactic Acid System (depends
Dominant energy pathway - aerobic system low intensity allows
delivery
to
on the length
of sufficient
the effort oxygen
(duration).
allow the aerobic systems to be the dominant systems.
This constant change in effort (intensity) and length of effort (duration) highlights how the dominant
energy systems change interplay!
Key Concept 1: The Sources of Energy Affecting Physical Performance
Text Pages 27 - 28

 ACHPER (SA)
2014

The Notion of INTERPLAY and the Energy Systems

Case Study The Interplay of the Energy Systems in a Team
Game.
INTER PL A Y O F ENER G Y SY STEM S - TEA M H A ND B A L L

A E R O B IC S Y S T E M

D o m inant - 9 5 %
o f E N E R G Y supply.
G L Y C O G E N = M a in F u e l
PLENTY O F O

A V A IL A B L E

A N A E R O B IC S Y S T E M

N o n -d o m in an t - 5 %
o f E N E R G Y s u p p ly .
C R E A T IN E P H O S P H A T E an d
G L Y C O G E N = M a in F u e l

A E R O B IC S Y S T E M

N o n -d o m in an t - 5 -1 0 %
LO W LEV EL EFFO R T
(s u b -m a x im a l)
J o g g in g b a c k t o
d e f e n s iv e c ir c le
a fte r a s c o re
H IG H L EV EL EFFO R T
(m a x im a l)
S p r in t in g t o c ir c le
ju m p in g a n d s c o r in g
a goal

o f E N E R G Y s u p p ly .
G L Y C O G E N = M a in F u e l
L IT T L E to N O O

A V A IL A B L E

A N A E R O B IC S Y S T E M

D o m in an t - 9 0 -9 5 %
o f E N E R G Y s u p p ly .
C R E A T IN E P H O S P H A T E an d
G L Y C O G E N = M a in F u e l

Diagram is quite a good attempt!

The boxes show the energy systems features oxygen availability as
examples.
The arrows show how the dominant energy systems change according to
intensity and duration of effort.

Key Concept 1: The Sources of Energy Affecting Physical Performance

Text Pages 28
- 29
In short the diagram highlights
the
CYCLIC nature of the

energy systems