Process Essay: The ATP/CP Energy Pathway

To maintain its many chemical and physical activities, the body needs energy. All earth’s energy comes from the sun. Plants use solar energy to perform chemical reactions to form carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Humans consume plants and other animals to obtain energy. The body then uses three pathways to supply energy to the body during cellular activities. ATP/CP energy pathway, glycolytic pathway, and oxidative pathway. The ATP/CP energy pathway provide anaerobic (requires no oxygen) sources of phosphate-bond energy. Creatine phosphate (CP) is high- energy phosphate molecules that are stored in cells and can be uses to immediately re-synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the energy source for all human movement. The release of one of its three phosphate molecules provides the energy for human movement. All activities begin with this pathway regardless of the intensity length. This energy pathway is demonstrated in sports that require ballistic, explosive strength or maximal effort for short periods of time. This pathway is utilized during powerlifting and high jumps or activities that last …show more content…
I would focus on running long distances because the body will use fat as a main energy source and spare the use of muscle glycogen and blood glucose so that it is available for use if exercise intensity increases and oxygen availability is decreased. I would implement long jogs for long distances or any low intensity, high duration cardio to train for a marathon. The reasoning behind the activities that I have chosen is because staying at a low intensity, will use mostly fat for energy. This will give me the energy for the long duration. Although I may be burning mostly fat, a steady supply of carbohydrate is still necessary for the breakdown of fat into an energy