27/10/2021
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the purest source of biological energy that the muscles use.
As a matter of fact, ATP is used in basically any process in the body.
However, due to the demanding nature of the intense muscular activity, ATP gets depleted in about 5-6 seconds.
From then, to restore ATP, the body uses different sources, depending on the duration of the exercise
1. Creatine. Creatine is the body's secondary energy source, used to regenerate ATP. The storages of creatine are also relatively limited and it can grant energy for another 10 seconds of activity.
2. Glycogen. At about the 20-second mark, the body starts using muscle glycogen. In a process called "anaerobic glycolysis," the body restores ATP, without the use of oxygen (hence, anaerobic)
3. Aerobic glycolysis. The more the activity goes on, the more intensity naturally drops and the body moves into a more efficient energy model. This is when the body starts breaking down muscle and liver glycogen, as well as fatty acids, to restore ATP. That is done at the presence of oxygen, thus the term "aerobic". Now, the key takeaway here is the following: Glycogen and creatine are essential to optimal performance. Glycogen is the end product of carbohydrate digestion and is essentially stored blood sugar. So, the conclusion is - Eat your grains and supplement your creatine! Www.nextrevolution.co.uk
.peterlee