A netball centre typically performs high-intensity bursts of activity throughout a 60-minute game. Describe how the fuel sources used by this athlete would change during different phases of the game. (6 marks)
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Sample Answer
- During explosive movements (jumping, quick directional changes), the centre primarily uses phosphocreatine through the ATP-PCr system for immediate energy.
- In fast breaks or intense rallies lasting 10-30 seconds, the glycolytic system becomes dominant, using muscle glycogen and blood glucose as fuel sources.
- During lower intensity periods of the game, the aerobic system predominates, using carbohydrates as the primary fuel source.
- As the game progresses and glycogen stores become partially depleted, the body increases its reliance on fat metabolism during recovery phases between high-intensity efforts.
- The interplay of energy systems allows the centre to perform repeated high-intensity efforts throughout the game by recovering phosphocreatine stores during periods of lower intensity.
- The athlete’s ability to spare glycogen through efficient use of fats during lower intensity phases helps maintain carbohydrate availability for high-intensity efforts in the latter stages of the game.
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Sample Answer
- During explosive movements (jumping, quick directional changes), the centre primarily uses phosphocreatine through the ATP-PCr system for immediate energy.
- In fast breaks or intense rallies lasting 10-30 seconds, the glycolytic system becomes dominant, using muscle glycogen and blood glucose as fuel sources.
- During lower intensity periods of the game, the aerobic system predominates, using carbohydrates as the primary fuel source.
- As the game progresses and glycogen stores become partially depleted, the body increases its reliance on fat metabolism during recovery phases between high-intensity efforts.
- The interplay of energy systems allows the centre to perform repeated high-intensity efforts throughout the game by recovering phosphocreatine stores during periods of lower intensity.
- The athlete’s ability to spare glycogen through efficient use of fats during lower intensity phases helps maintain carbohydrate availability for high-intensity efforts in the latter stages of the game.