Energy Systems | AQA A-Level Physical Education (7582)
Energy Systems
- 95 questions
- 6 subtopics
- Paper 1: Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport
- Paper 1
Energy Systems is examined in Paper 1, Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport.
It covers ATP and the aerobic energy system, anaerobic energy systems and the energy continuum, lactate accumulation, the lactate threshold and OBLA, oxygen deficit and EPOC, VO₂ max, RER and measuring energy expenditure and altitude training, HIIT, plyometrics and SAQ.
Sample questions from Energy Systems
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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ATP and the aerobic energy system
What happens to pyruvic acid when oxygen is available?
Show the answer
Pyruvic acid combines with coenzyme A to form acetyl coenzyme A. Acetyl coenzyme A then enters the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria. -
ATP and the aerobic energy system
Why is fat the main fuel during low-intensity exercise such as a long walk?
Show the answer
Fat yields more ATP than glucose, and the oxygen supply easily meets demand at low intensity. Glycogen stores are spared for harder work later. -
Anaerobic energy systems and the energy continuum
Which activities rely mainly on the ATP-PC system?
Show the answer
Short, maximal efforts rely mainly on the ATP-PC system. Examples include a 100 m sprint, a shot put and a triple jump. -
Anaerobic energy systems and the energy continuum
What is an energy system threshold?
Show the answer
A threshold is the point at which one energy system can no longer meet demand. Another energy system then takes over as the main supplier of ATP. -
Lactate accumulation, the lactate threshold and OBLA
Why does a trained marathon runner reach OBLA at a higher running speed than an untrained runner?
Show the answer
Endurance training improves oxygen delivery and lactate removal. The trained runner stays aerobic at higher intensities, so lactate builds up later. -
Lactate accumulation, the lactate threshold and OBLA
What is meant by lactate producing capacity?
Show the answer
Lactate producing capacity is the ability to produce, tolerate and buffer high levels of lactate. Sprint and power athletes develop a high capacity through training. -
Oxygen deficit and EPOC
What is EPOC?
Show the answer
EPOC, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, is the volume of oxygen consumed during recovery above resting levels. -
Oxygen deficit and EPOC
What happens to lactic acid during recovery?
Show the answer
Most lactic acid is converted back to pyruvic acid and oxidised in the Krebs cycle. Some is converted to glucose and glycogen in the liver through the Cori cycle.
The 6 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| ATP and the aerobic energy system | ATP and its breakdown, glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, beta oxidation and the electron transport chain, ATP yield, fat as a fuel, and the system's advantages and disadvantages. | 16 |
| Anaerobic energy systems and the energy continuum | The ATP-PC system and coupled reactions, the anaerobic glycolytic system, their durations, advantages and disadvantages, the energy continuum and thresholds, and fibre types. | 16 |
| Lactate accumulation, the lactate threshold and OBLA | Lactate accumulation, the lactate threshold and OBLA, their links to VO₂ max, fibre type and lactate removal, lactate producing capacity and training. | 15 |
| Oxygen deficit and EPOC | Oxygen deficit, oxygen consumption in submaximal and maximal exercise, MAOD, the fast and slow components of EPOC, lactic acid removal and recovery in a basketball match. | 15 |
| VO₂ max, RER and measuring energy expenditure | VO₂ max and the factors affecting it, direct and indirect tests, indirect calorimetry, lactate sampling, and the respiratory exchange ratio with a worked example. | 17 |
| Altitude training, HIIT, plyometrics and SAQ | Altitude training and its adaptations and drawbacks, live high train low, HIIT, plyometrics and the stretch-shortening cycle, and SAQ training for a rugby winger. | 16 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA A-Level Physical Education Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 2,084 questions with their answers.