In this physiology assignment discusses how the cardio-respiratory systems facilitate the energy systems that are used during a peak performance of a marathon runner with a sub 2 hr 40 race time. Also suggests and justifies a physiological assessment which could be used to help understand the person’s fitness and specific physiological responses to exercise.

1. Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching
Peak Performance Of
A Marathon Runner
With A Sub 2 Hr 40
Race Time
SPO021-1 Introduction to Exercise Physiology
Carl Page (1008889)
University of Bedfordshire
Ms. N Bretherton

2. In this physiology assignment I will be discussing how the cardio-respiratory systems facilitate the
energy systems that are used during a peak performance of a marathon runner with a sub 2 hr 40
race time. Also I’ll be suggesting and justifying a physiological assessment which could be used to
help understand the person’s fitness and specific physiological responses to exercise.
The three energy systems are ATP-PCr, Glycolytic (Lactic Acid) and Oxidative (Aerobic). They are used
by the human body and active at any one time but the intensity and duration of the activity that is
being performed will determine the predominant system. This is because the function of the
cardiovascular and respiratory systems has to respond/adapt to meet the conditions of the
environment accordingly. For instance they can function aerobically when acclimatising to
surroundings through holding and preparation camps.
The ATP-PCr and Glycolytic systems are major
contributors of energy during short-burst
activities lasting up to two minutes and during
the early minutes of longer high intensity
exercise. The diagram here illustrates the
percentage of maximum rate of energy
production over time of each of the energy
systems and how performance is affected too.
Although in the ATP-PCr system, P is separated from PCr through the action of creatine kinase. The
P, can then combine with ADP to form ATP using the energy released from the breakdown of PCr.
This system is anaerobic, and its main function
is to maintain ATP levels. The energy yield is 1
mol of ATP per mole of PCr. The elite marathon
runner will apply oxidative phosphorylation as
their production of ATP from ADP and
phosphate in the final stages of aerobic
respiration. As they produce energy through
the conversion of complex molecules into
simpler ones, similarly through the metabolic
process in which energy is used to make
compounds and tissues from simple molecules.
Carl Page (1008889) Page 2 Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching

3. The three main energy sources and their calorific values are seen in Table 1.5
Intake Calories
1 g carbohydrate 4
1 g protein 4
1 g fat 10
Edexcel A2 PE book Table 1.5
However the glycolytic system (Lactic Acid)
involves the process of glycolysis, through
which glucose or glycogen is broken down
to pyruvic acid. When glycolysis occurs
without oxygen, the pyruvic acid is
converted into lactic acid. One mole of
glucose yields 2 mol of ATP, but 1 mol of
glycogen yields 3 mol of ATP. Therefore
peak marathon athletes supplement their
glycogen stores through glycogen
supercompensation by the practise of
carbohydrate loading as its first starving the body of carbohydrates, then following a high-carbohydrate
diet just before an athletic event in an attempt to increase performance.
The oxidative (aerobic) system of compound reactions involving the use of carbohydrates, fats also
occasionally protein since the beginning phase in the terms of energy. The body’s process of
metabolism, fermentation and glycolysis breaks down triglycerides, and food supplies as glycogen in
muscle and liver to glucose. Subsequently transported towards used muscles through the blood then
known as pyruvate by the support of the glycolytic enzymes.
Energy creation starts from foods filled of carbohydrates that are primarily converted into glucose.
The body functions well the muscles too require sufficient oxygen amounts. Since glucose and
oxygen are carried into the muscles via the blood. Next gaseous exchange occurs because wastes
products for instance Carbon Dioxide is sent away in the blood flow. This method of receiving energy
is known as aerobic respiration. Whenever muscles perform further exertion extra glucose and
oxygen is wanted. Subsequently the blood surges to the muscles and the heart pumps quicker. While
blood vessels contain constricted openings which increase force so extra blood is transported to
Carl Page (1008889) Page 3 Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching

4. muscles alternatively to an organism within the body. Ultimately it will be unfeasible for the body to
continue with the supplies for oxygen and will run anaerobically.
Peak marathon runners typically include a personal best of lower than 2 h 11 min for males but 2 h
32 min representing females. The physiological responses of marathon runners are; maximal O2
uptake (V O2 max), running economy and limited usage of their VO2 max. Therefore linear
relationships are created connecting marathon performance plus aerobic capacity. Lactate threshold
is a key sign for endurance performance since marathon runners place their race speed by or
somewhat over lactate threshold (Farrell et al. 1979).
The two main factors that contribute to fatigue for marathon runners is dehydration (loss of fluid as
a result of sweating) and the depletion of the body’s carbohydrate stores. The three sports drinks
categories are hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic solutions. Hypotonic drinks are designed to
maintain hydration, isotonic drinks to provide carbohydrate and maintain hydration, whilst
hypertonic drinks are used to supply carbohydrate. Depending on the type, intensity and duration of
exercise sports drinks can improve endurance performance by providing fuel to the exercising
muscles and/or maintaining hydration shown in Table 1.7.
Type Content Glucose (volume)
Isotonic Fluid, electrolytes and 6-8%
carbohydrate.
Similar to blood or the body.
Hypotonic Fluids, electrolytes and a low
level of carbohydrate.
Less than blood or the body.
Hypertonic High level of carbohydrate. Greater than blood/body.
Edexcel A2 PE book Table 1.7
Although peak performance recovery their oxygen debt is the amount of oxygen needed to replenish
the stores the body uses for its normal physiological processes after these have been depleted
during strenuous physical exercise. As its quantity of oxygen that’s used through recovery in
marathon which would’ve usually utilised when rest. Whereas further oxygen is consumed to
replenish oxygen amounts in muscles and tissues, which help separate whichever lactic aci d this has
produced. Yet they may experience Onset Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) a stage in exercising
where there is no longer enough oxygen being supplied to the muscle, leading to a build-up of lactic
acid causing pain and tiredness. Resulting in Excess Post Oxygen Consumption (EPOC) because
oxygen consumption after exercise replenishes the energy requirements utilised through exercise.
Carl Page (1008889) Page 4 Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching

5. There are numerous physiological assessments I could use to understand fitness of a peak marathon
runner. For instance there is a bomb calorimeter. This is because it can be used for energy
expenditure as it measures the amount of heat released during chemical combustion. Also since the
measurements are often made by observing the amount of solid liquefied or liquid vaporised, under
set conditions. While being able to distinguish dissimilarity to thei r Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). As
it’s the amount of energy used by the body in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide when at rest,
this results in awareness of the energy systems used by a marathon runner. Likewise with their
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) it’s their metabolic rate at rest, thus assisting to identify the particular
physiological responses to exercise to the cardio-respiratory systems. However VO2 max is
considered the best guess of an individual’s cardiovascular and respiratory fitness or aerobic power
(Jorgensen et al. 1977). Other physiological assessments are the treadmill test with Douglas bags and
measuring enzyme activity which also distinguishes the physiological responses to exercise.
Carl Page (1008889) Page 5 Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching
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Carl Page (1008889) Page 8 Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching