My Athlete of Choice: Triathlete

I have chosen a triathlete as my athlete of choice. I will be analyzing the running
phase of a triathlon. A triathlon is an endurance sporting activity that comprises activities
such as swimming, cycling, and running (The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic
and Paralympic Games, 2020). In triathlon, athletes compete in these activities, with the
winner being the one who completes the activities fastest. The competition also includes
transitions from one activity to the next. Typical triathlons comprise of a750 meter swim,
cycling for 20 kilometers, and running for five kilometers. In the Olympics, triathletes have
to run for approximately 10 kilometers (The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic
and Paralympic Games, 2020).
As your athlete performs the chosen activity, discuss whether rapid or slow glycolysis is
the most effective means of energy transfer?
Triathlon is an endurance sporting activity, and this means that the athletes who
participate in this sporting activity must ensure that they are equipped to handle long periods
of physical activity. An athlete must run for approximately 6.2 miles (The Tokyo Organising
Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 2020). Rapid glycolysis is important in
physical activities that require a maximal effort of up to 90 seconds duration. The process
results in the generation of up to 5 percent of the total ATP of a glucose molecule (Katch,
McArdle, & Katch, 2015). When one is sprinting at the end of a mile run, rapid glycolysis
gives them the much-needed energy, Finishing and starting a short swimming competition
also requires rapid glycolysis. In a triathlon, the body needs to sustain the exercise for a long
(Sahlin, 1990). The body needs more energy, and this means that the energy can only be
obtained from slow glycolysis. Slow glycolysis helps the athlete to sustain the physical
activity for longer.

What physiological factors contributed to your analysis (e.g., hydrogen release, lactate
formation, glucose catabolism, etc.)?
The physiological factor that influenced my decision is glucose catabolism. The body
cannot work for extended periods of time without oxygen. In both aerobic and anaerobic
systems, glycogen is the main source of energy used in the resynthesis of ATP. A triathlete
works for extended periods of time. The implication is that oxygen is required to ensure that
the body is supplied with energy. Aerobic reactions help in breaking down glycogen without
the release of excess amounts of lactic acid. The athlete will thus continue engaging in
physical activity without feeling exhausted.
Explain the benefits of lactate for optimal performance of the chosen activity.
A triathlon athlete needs to have high endurance. While lactate is viewed as a waste
product, in intense physical activities such as participating in a triathlon, it can be used as a
valuable chemical energy source (Katch, McArdle, & Katch, 2015). During the recovery
phase, sufficient oxygen becomes readily available. Sufficient oxygen can also be readily
available when the athlete slows down their pace. Hydrogens attached to lactate are oxidized,
and this results in the formation of ATP. Lactate can thus be used to ensure that the athlete’s
body continues in the participation of the triathlon by increasing their endurance.

References

Katch, V., McArdle, W., & Katch, F. (2015). Essentials of exercise physiology. (5th ed.).
Retrieved from https://www.vitalsource.com
The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. (2020). Triathlon.
Retrieved 14 January 2021, from
https://tokyo2020.org/en/sports/triathlon/#:~:text=Triathlon%20is%20an%20enduran
ce%20sport,bike%20ride%20and%2010km%20run.

Sahlin, K. (1990, June). Muscle glucose metabolism during exercise. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2393546