Anaerobic Exercise Workout
What is Anaerobic Exercise?
In simple terms, activity fuelled by oxygen
is called aerobic exercise, whereas activity fuelled by non-oxygen sources
of energy is called anaerobic.
The Anaerobic Energy System
During the first two minutes of exercise,
the body cannot get enough oxygen to supply the heart and muscles which
need to work faster than normal. So the body uses two non-oxygen sources
of energy: (1) the ATP-PC system, and (2) Anaerobic Glycolysis. These
two anaerobic systems - called anaerobic metabolism - are relied upon
exclusively during short, intense activities like: the 100-meter sprint,
shot-put, high-jump and all weight-lifting.
Anaerobic ATP-PC System and Exercise
This system supplies instant energy. It uses
an ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecule, an energy-rich unit, made up
of adenosine and three phosphate groups. ATP provides enough energy for
muscles to contract maximally for about 15 seconds. However, if an activity
needs repeated muscular contractions for longer than this, the energy
must be sourced from other stores, like glycogen.
Anaerobic Glycolysis and Exercise
Anaerobic glycolysis is the fast supply of
energy from the breakdown of stored glycogen in the muscles. (Glycogen
is stored blood-glucose.) If this anaerobic metabolic process continues
in the absence of sufficient oxygen (from breathing), it produces a bi-product
called lactic acid. This lactic acid can build up in the muscles and blood,
causing fatigue. Often during the first few minutes of strenuous activity,
you may experience burning in the muscles of your arms, legs or back.
This is due to the creation of lactic acid.
Anaerobic then Aerobic
If you exercise continuously for longer than
about 2 minutes, you eventually burn up all of the glycogen stored within
the muscles and, as your breathing generates more oxygen, your muscles
will move into aerobic metabolism. When this occurs lactic acid production
is stopped and the remaining lactic acid is removed via the bloodstream.
Provided you continue to breathe correctly, oxygen will continue to supply
the muscles and the aerobic process will continue.
Back to Advice
About Exercise and Fitness Programs
Calorie Intake
For information about the calorie content
of popular food and drinks, please visit: Calories
in Food
Back to Top
|
