Three Energy Pathways: An Athlete Who Uses Them and Their Importance

Personal Training, Strength, and Conditioning
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A sports athlete that uses the three energy pathways while exercising
Allyson Felix, an American track and field athlete, is an example of a sports athlete who utilizes the three major energy pathways as she competes. Specializing in the 400 meters relay and 400 meters splints, she needs a combination of all the energy pathways to win in the races (Kennedy, 2021). When running, one puts one foot in front of the other and gradually increases speed and endurance to complete the race without losing energy.
Individual demands that elicit the use of energy pathways and the length the body utilizes each.
The phosphagen system is the first energy pathway that an individual utilizes. Once a person begins exercising, the phosphagen system operates quickly to metabolize the phosphocreatine molecule. The molecule, in turn, produces adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the basic unit of energy. As a system that does not utilize oxygen, it works very fast. Nevertheless, since one’s body cells cannot store much energy, the energy produced is short-lived for about ten to twenty seconds (Gagliardi, 2019). The system is effective when one needs short-lived and fast energy intervals that propel one ahead in high-intensity activities.
The anaerobic system is the dominant energy production means for the body, producing enough ATP to fuel one to three minutes of intense activity. The system, which does not require oxygen, utilizes energy in glucose to produce ATP. The process occurs within the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate (Gagliardi, 2019). The pathway kicks in quickly after one’s body transitions from the phosphagen system, producing lasting energy to offer one rapid and consistent exercise for thirty seconds to three minutes before lactic acid begins building up in muscles causing tiredness.
The oxidative energy system is the next pathway the body transitions to when...