Evaluate how the efficiency of ATP production impacts the performance of a soccer midfielder who must perform repeated high-intensity efforts throughout a 90-minute match. (8 marks)
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Sample Answer
Evaluation Statement
- ATP production efficiency greatly affects a midfielder’s match performance.
- Evaluation based on: energy system capacity, fatigue management, and performance sustainability.
Sprint Performance
- ATP-PCr system’s rapid production enables explosive movements but depletes within 10-15 seconds.
- Limited capacity forces reliance on less efficient systems for subsequent efforts.
- Recovery requires several minutes, creating performance gaps between sprints.
- Quick energy is essential but proves inadequate for continuous high-intensity demands.
High-Intensity Running
- Glycolytic system produces ATP quickly but creates lactic acid as a by-product.
- Lactic acid build-up makes muscles acidic and reduces their ability to contract after 30-90 seconds.
- Repeated efforts cause increasing fatigue that slows sprint speed noticeably.
- The trade-off between quick energy and fatigue build-up limits sustained performance.
Match Endurance
- Aerobic system’s complete fuel breakdown provides the most ATP per glucose molecule.
- This efficiency enables PCr recovery between efforts and helps clear lactic acid during lower intensity periods.
- The aerobic system sustains most energy needs throughout the full match.
- Superior efficiency allows midfielders to maintain work rate despite growing tiredness.
Final Evaluation
- Aerobic efficiency proves most critical for repeated efforts throughout a match.
- Midfielders with better aerobic fitness maintain higher work rates and recover faster between sprints.
- While all systems contribute, aerobic efficiency ultimately determines sustainable performance level over 90 minutes.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
Evaluation Statement
- ATP production efficiency greatly affects a midfielder’s match performance.
- Evaluation based on: energy system capacity, fatigue management, and performance sustainability.
Sprint Performance
- ATP-PCr system’s rapid production enables explosive movements but depletes within 10-15 seconds.
- Limited capacity forces reliance on less efficient systems for subsequent efforts.
- Recovery requires several minutes, creating performance gaps between sprints.
- Quick energy is essential but proves inadequate for continuous high-intensity demands.
High-Intensity Running
- Glycolytic system produces ATP quickly but creates lactic acid as a by-product.
- Lactic acid build-up makes muscles acidic and reduces their ability to contract after 30-90 seconds.
- Repeated efforts cause increasing fatigue that slows sprint speed noticeably.
- The trade-off between quick energy and fatigue build-up limits sustained performance.
Match Endurance
- Aerobic system’s complete fuel breakdown provides the most ATP per glucose molecule.
- This efficiency enables PCr recovery between efforts and helps clear lactic acid during lower intensity periods.
- The aerobic system sustains most energy needs throughout the full match.
- Superior efficiency allows midfielders to maintain work rate despite growing tiredness.
Final Evaluation
- Aerobic efficiency proves most critical for repeated efforts throughout a match.
- Midfielders with better aerobic fitness maintain higher work rates and recover faster between sprints.
- While all systems contribute, aerobic efficiency ultimately determines sustainable performance level over 90 minutes.