Energy Expenditure during Exercise

Neeraj Mehta

Energy Expenditure

The body’s cells need a constant supply of energy to function or for muscles to contract.  This energy we find from the food we eat.

We eat, and the food is then stored in a chemical component called A.T.P. (adenosine triphosphate).  A.T.P. is used for immediate cellular function and muscular contraction, or the food is stored in a different way in our bodies.

Let us follow the diagram:

Eat                   -           Carbohydrates, fats, protein

                                    Digestion and forms:

                                    Glucose, fatty acids, amino acids

                                    Used as fuel in two ways:

                                    Produce A.T.P. or is stored for later use

Glucose           -           Stored as glycogen

Fatty Acid       -           Body fat (adiopose tissue)

Protein             -           Seldom used for energy, is mainly used for growth of repair 

                                    of cellular structures                                                    

A.T.P

What is A.T.P.?  It is a complicated chemical structure.  It is made up of a substance called adenosine plus three groups of atoms called the phosphate group.  Generally this is referred to as the body’s energy source.

 A.T.P

Adenosine       -      P    ===     P    ===     P

The bond between the P is high energy bond, while the bond between Adenosine and

P          is a low energy bond.

Energy production happens when the high energy bond is broken between the

P

This releases energy for immediate use.

A.T.P. is stored in cells.  Sometimes you will find more A.T.P. in certain cells where the most metabolic activities are taking place.  A.T.P. releases the energy but is only available for a few seconds.  Therefore, the body has the ability to resynthesize A.T.P. for constant use.  If there is a muscular contraction, the muscle will need a lot of A.T.P.’s to function.  For effective muscular contraction over a period of time, the body requires constant supply of A.T.P.

A.T.P.’s are resynthesized in three ways:

 Phosphagen systems

Anaerobic production

Aerobic production

            During anaerobic production, A.T.P’s are formed from carbohydrates in a slow

            process, during the aerobics system from carbohydrates and fats.

by NEERAJ MEHTA, (Fitness Professional and master trainer of GFFI Fitness Academy)

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