Glycolysis: The Second Energy Pathway for Medium-Term Physical Activity

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Pathway 2: Glycolysis Anaerobic Lactic- Glycolysis is the second energy pathway. ATP produced during Glycolysis allows an athlete to engage in medium-term physical activity usually lasting from 1-3 minutes (from 15 seconds - 3 minutes).

  • Medium Term sports would include a shift in a hockey game, 400 or 800 meter track event.

    Since glucose is plentiful in the body, Glycolysis is an ideal backup to the short-lived ATP production provided by ATP-PC system. During the process of Glycolysis, glucose is partially broken down in an 11-step biochemical process to yield twice as much ATP! How? Glycolysis transfers energy from the breakdown of glucose to ADP which it uses to rejoin to phosphate to make ATP. Like ATP-PC, Glycolysis does not require O2. ATP is produced.

Pyruvate & Lactic Acid: The main product of glycolysis is pyruvate AKA pyruvic acid. Under Aerobic Conditions, pyruvate is the beginning of the 3. Cellular Respiration (Aerobic) that eventually leads to the complete breakdown of glucose to yield large quantities of ATP (36 Total). In the absence of adequate Oxygen AKA Anaerobic Conditions (high-intensity exercise or high altitudes) the process is STOPPED at the Glycolysis Stage. Then, Pyruvate (Pyruvic Acid) is converted to Lactate* (Lactic Acid) and exhaustion or painful muscle agony begins to set in.

The buildup of Lactic Acid: How Does It Affect Performance?

  1. Hampers: The Breakdown of glucose. &

  2. Decreases - the ability of the muscle fiber to contract (burning sensation felt during weight lifting or power sports).

The Removal of Lactate: For intermediate activities that involve the production of lactate, one must adopt a recovery program of light aerobic 30-60 min or rest recovery 1-2 hours for lactic acid removal.

3. The Aerobic System: In order for any athlete to sustain intense activity longer than 90 seconds or so, a third energy system called Cellular Respiration must come into play. Fats and Proteins can be used as energy sources at this stage in addition to Glucose which for the 1st time is Fully Broken Down. Fats are the predominant sources of energy in exercises that last longer than 20 minutes. (What does that mean?) Proteins are used as an energy source only in times of starvation. This is the energy pathway that our body depends on for Endurance Style Events ex marathon, soccer game or swim.

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glycolysis energy pathway medium-term physical activity ATP production