By Mark Diaz, NYC Personal Trainer / Strength Coach
Cardiovascular training is a single type of energy system training whose mode requires the body to produce energy using the cardiovascular, or aerobic, system. Referring to energy system work as “cardio” or “cardiovascular training” is like calling facial tissues Kleenex. It is far too general a term to describe the three distinct biochemical processes of creating cellular energy.
There are three energy systems that the human body uses to produce energy. These energy systems are divided into two main classifications. The first is the aerobic, or the cardiovascular system, abbreviated A, while the second is the anaerobic system – AA.
The anaerobic system further splits into two distinct biochemical pathways for creating energy. The first system is the fast glycolytic pathway, also referred to as the lactic acid cycle: ALA (Anaerobic Lactic Acid). The second is the creatine phosphate pathway, also known as the anaerobic, a-lactic acid pathway, or AALA.
The ultimate goal of the energy systems is to provide energy to the human body in the form of a basic unit called ATP – adenosine triphosphate. The aerobic system uses oxygen to complete the process by feeding pyruvate – a byproduct of cellular metabolism, into an energy production pathway known as the Krebs cycle.
Continue reading about two methods of anaerobic metabolism to create ATP.
Page 1 of 7