Energy Systems in the Body

For the human body to accomplish various tasks, it needs energy. Various energy
systems are, therefore, involved when an individual is exercising. A deeper understanding of
the energy systems can help one gain insights into the process of exercise and fatigue. One
of the widely played sports is basketball. Basketball is a sporting activity that involves two
teams playing against each other (Sports Fan Focus, 2021). Each team consists of five
players. The game is played on a rectangular court, with each team’s goal being to score
points by shooting the ball into the basket. The court has two baskets that are located on each
side. Players are required to dribble the ball with their hands and defend by preventing
players from the other team from scoring. A player is always constantly running, jumping,
and undertaking other movements during the attack phase and the defense phase. The nature
of basketball means that all three energy systems in the body are utilized. The three energy
systems utilized by basketball players are the anaerobic system, the aerobic system, and the
adenosine triphosphate phosphocreatine (ATP-PC) system.
Analyze the different energy systems in the body that contribute to the performance of
the activities involved in that sport.
Physical activities that are performed in a short duration and are high intensity in nature
require the body to have an immediate and rapid supply of energy. Energy phosphates in the
form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine (PCr) are useful in the provision
of this energy (Katch, McArdle, & Katch, 2015). Skeletal muscles store ATP with each
kilogram of skeletal muscle storing an estimated five millimoles (mmol) of ATP. When
playing basketball, the ATP-PC system helps in the performance of short-term activities that
are energy-intensive. When a player is sprinting and jumping to take short, the ATP-PC
system provides them with the energy required. Running up and down the court also requires

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energy that is supplied by the ATP-PC system. In addition, when defending, a player must
ensure that they keep up with the opponents. Keeping up with an opponent during the
defensive phase of the game requires a burst of energy.
The anaerobic system is a high energy output system that takes a relatively short amount
of time(Katch, McArdle, & Katch, 2015). The anaerobic energy system utilizes anaerobic
glycolysis to release ATP and form lactic acid. The system operates through splitting
carbohydrates and, in so doing release ATP. The lack of an adequate oxygen supply results in
all hydrogens that are formed in glycolysis failing to oxidize. Pyruvate then converts to
lactate. The anaerobic system helps in supplying the energy required for moderate-intensity
movements in the basketball court. Examples of activities that can utilize this system include
offensive plays.
The aerobic system helps in the release of a greater portion of energy. The aerobic system
is useful when a physical activity exceeds the duration of two to three minutes. The intake of
oxygen by the body increases rapidly during the initial minutes of physical activity until it
reaches a relative plateau between minutes 4 and 6 (Katch, McArdle, & Katch, 2015). The
plateau is indicative of the steady rate of aerobic metabolism. Oxygen-consuming reactions
help ensure that the body is supplied with a constant supply of energy that is required to
maintain physical activity and keep the body moving. The aerobic system helps in improving
the recovery time. The implication is that the system is not predominant in a basketball game.
However, it is important to keep up with the level of physical activity required by a
basketball player. A basketball player must have enough energy to push them from start to
finish.
Analyze the efficiency of each energy system across the spectrum as well as which
energy system utilizes the most energy in the performance of the sport.  

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The efficiency of energy systems can be analyzed based on different factors. The time
that one takes to perform an exercise affects the efficiency of the energy systems. When one
performs a short-term physical activity that requires an energy burst, the ATP-PC is efficient
in providing energy. However, the ATP-PC requires rest to the recovery of at least 30 to 90
seconds. The system is thus effective for the production of high volumes of energy that only
last a limited period of time. On the basketball court, a player can benefit from ATP-PC when
engaging in short-term physical activities such as taking a shot (Meckel, Casorla, & Eliakim,
2009). However, they cannot take a shot continuously and need to recover. On the other
hand, the anaerobic system also helps in ensuring that one gains a short-term energy burst
that lasts longer compared to energy generated by the ATP-PC system. The anaerobic system
is useful for moderate-intensity activities. The system can be used for activities that last
between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. In the basketball court, activities such as dribbling and
short drills rely on the anaerobic energy system. Aerobic energy system does not yield huge
volumes of energy. It is useful for activities that last longer than 2 to 3 minutes (Katch,
McArdle, & Katch, 2015). The system is useful when one is undertaking exercises that
require resilience. A typical basketball game lasts between 2 to 3 hours. In college sports, a
basketball game has two halves that are 20 minutes each (Sports Fan Focus, 2021). As a
result, the aerobic system is required to push the player throughout the game. It helps in
replenishing the energy reserves and helps a player in the recovery period.
Evaluate the potential drawbacks to each energy source for the sport chosen.
The body needs a constant supply of energy when playing basketball. The ATP-PC is
only effective for short-term bursts of energy. The implication is that it is ineffective for a
basketball game that lasts approximately two hours (Sports Fan Focus, 2021). One also
requires some time to replenish energy stores. There may be insufficient time to recover
during a basketball game. On the other hand, the aerobic energy system is a long process. It is

WEEK 2 – ASSIGNMENT 5
slow and unsuitable for activities that are intense in nature. In the basketball court, the
aerobic system cannot be used in the production of energy to continuously play (Serresse,
Lortie, & Bouchard, 1988). While an anaerobic system is suitable for short-term activities, it
results in the production of lactate. The buildup of lactate results in a change in the acidity of
the serum (Delextrat & Cohen, 2008). This result is muscle fatigue. On a basketball court, a
player must keep up with the game without getting tired. The system is thus unsuitable and
may create problems.

WEEK 2 – ASSIGNMENT 6

References

Delextrat, A., & Cohen, D. (2008). Physiological testing of basketball players: toward a
standard evaluation of anaerobic fitness. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning
Research, 22(4), 1066-1072.
Katch, V., McArdle, W., & Katch, F. (2015). Essentials of exercise physiology. (5 th  ed.).
Retrieved from https://www.vitalsource.com/
Meckel, Y., Casorla, T., & Eliakim, A. (2009). The Influence of Basketball Dribbling on
Repeated Sprints. International Journal of Coaching Science, 3(2).
Serresse, O., Lortie, G., & Bouchard, C. (1988). Estimation of the Contribution of the
Various Energy Systems During. Int. J. Sports Med, 9, 456-460.
Sports Fan Focus. (2021). How Long is a Basketball Game? (2019 Update) | Sports Fan
Focus. Retrieved 18 January 2021, from https://sportsfanfocus.com/how-long-is-a-
basketball-game/