Alactacid System

Info retrieved from HSC online

Alactacid System

 * Efficiency of ATP production - This system is very efficient as chemical reactions occur very quickly and are very simple. The breakdown of PC produces energy, which is used to join ADP and P back together to produce ATP, making this system very efficient in producing energy.
 * Duration of the system- The amount of PC in muscles is limited. After about 5-10 seconds of maximal work supply is depleted. This reduces its ability to contribute to movement and therefore another energy system is activated. High intensity activity lasting for 10 seconds or less uses the ATP-PC system as the primary source of energy. Explosive activities such as 100m sprint, kicking a football, and athletic field events are examples of skills/activities that are primarily fueled by the ATP/PC system.
 * Cause of fatigue Fatigue is caused by the inability of the system to continually resynthesise ATP as PC stores are exhausted and need time to recover.
 *  By-products of energy production-  There are no by-products of this system that will cause the body to fatigue however heat is produced during the process of muscular contraction.
 *  Rate of recovery- As the stores of PC are broken down, they are quickly restored. If the individual is resting most of the ATP and PC supplies are restored within 2 minutes. This allows for the activity to be repeated in intense, short bouts, without immediate exhaustion, for example field athletics athletes. The only way PC can be restored is to recombine the P and C release to resynthesise ATP. This is done during recovery. This system represents the most readily available source of ATP for use by the muscles.

