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Food fuels and the three energy systems. Key knowledge. Chapter preview. Food fuels. CHO – carbohydrates are the body’s preferred fuel source, particularly during exercise.
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Food fuels • CHO – carbohydrates are the body’s preferred fuel source, particularly during exercise. • Fats – concentrated fuel storage in the muscles and adipose tissue, main source of fuel at rest and in prolonged sub maximal exercise. • Protein – make a small contribution during energy production, mainly used for growth and repair.
ATP = energy • Adenosine triphosphate is the major source of energy that keeps every cell in the body going, including muscles. • ATP is a chemical fuel source. Energy is released when one of the phosphates splits off, leaving ADP and an inorganic phosphate Pi. • Only a very small amount of ATP exists at the muscles, around 2 seconds worth. ATP must therefore be continually rebuilt or resynthesised so that energy can be provided for longer periods.
ATP = energy • To resynthesise ATP to create more energy in a form muscles can use, energy from the breakdown of phosphocreatine or nutrients(glucose, free fatty acids and amino acids) is used to rejoin ADP and Pi.
Fuel sources for physical activity • Glycogen is the body’s preferred source of energy for exercise. • At rest however, the body has a clear preference for fats as food fuel over CHO.
Carbohydrates (CHOs) • It is important to have a carbohydrate rich diet in order to increase glycogen stores. • CHOs are preferred to fats as a source of energy during exercise because they require less O2 to produce the same amount of energy. • CHO loading
Fats • Fats are stored in the form of triglycerides in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. • Triglycerides are broken down into free fatty acids which are then broken down aerobically for energy. • Fats become important during prolonged sub maximal exercise, when glycogen levels are depleted.
Protein • Protein is important in any diet as it provides the building blocks of all tissue. • Protein is not normally used as any energy source, it requires large amount of oxygen to break down for energy use. • In extreme situations, when the body has depleted glycogen and triglycerides, the body may resort to using protein as an energy source.
Glycaemic Index • An index which ranks foods on a scale of 1 to 100 according to how much they will raise blood glucose over a two hour period. • For example: • - Low GI: apple 38 • - Medium GI: white rice 64 • - High GI: honey 83