Sprinter: The Role Of ATP In Muscles

The ATP-CP system, fuelled by Creatine Phosphate (CP), is dominant at intensities above 95% of maximum heart rate (MHR) for durations up to 10 seconds. This system would have been dominant during the 11 entries into speed zone 4 where the player maximally sprinted above 18km/hr (Appendix 2), and also when the player reaches a peak

Creatine allows for increased storage of ATP. “The transfer of a molecule of phosphorous from creatine phosphate to adenosine diphosphate(ADP) results in the formation of ATP. …since the muscle creatine phosphate concentrations can fall to almost zero, it(creatine consumption) can make a significant contribution to the energy supply needed for brief bursts of very high-intensity exercise,” says Dr. Bolotte. The equation for the synthesis of ATP from creatine phosphate and ADP is as follows: PCr + ADP forms ATP + Cr. (http://www.lsms.org/journal/98creat.html) Also, lactic acid levels, which cause muscles to burn during workouts, are lowered by the consumption of creatine. Without the burning sensation, athletes don’t feel the need to stop exercising. Athletes begin their creatine process with a loading phase of twenty grams per day for five days. Then, they consume three to five grams per day. (http://www.mothernature.com/ency/supp/creatine_monohydrate.asp) Many studies have exhibited gains after this process of consumption.

The initial burst of speed and subsequent 5 seconds in the 100m sprint, is fuelled by the Phosphagen ATP- PC system as there is 4-5 times more Phosphocreatine (PCr) readily available in the skeletal muscles compared to that of ATP (1). The initial ATP stored is used within 2 seconds of maximal activity by the Myosin ATPase enzyme to cleave energy, leaving Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)

There are three main energy systems used in a game of touch football which consist of the creatine phosphate (ATP PC) system, lactic acid system and the aerobic system. Each system plays a vital role during game play. Every muscle in your body requires energy to perform all movements, and to do this, the energy is produced by the breakdown of a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is found in all cells which is a chemical form of muscular activity and performs mostly all functions in the human body. It contains 3 phosphate groups and adenosine. ATP is stored in the muscles and lasts for approximately 10-30 seconds. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins, are all producers of ATP from the food we eat; however Creatine Phosphate is

The ATP is used for many cell functions including transport work moving substances across cell membranes. It is also used for mechanical work, supplying the energy needed for muscle contraction. It supplies energy not only to heart muscle (for blood circulation) and skeletal muscle (such as for gross body movement), but also to the chromosomes and flagella

Creatine phosphate has been heavily experimented upon to show that it is an important effector towards muscle activity. When creatine phosphate is present in a solution containing muscle fibers without the presence of ATP, it serves as the energy supplier due to the fact that it absorbs bound adenine nucleotide, which is firmly linked to the contractile elements on muscle fibers (Bozler, 1953). Even in low concentrations this nucleotide can be considered an energy transfer mechanism, for it takes full advantage of the creatine phosphates energy supply, thus acting as a substrate for the enzymatic activity of the contractile elements of a muscle group. Consumption of this nucleotide leads to an increase in the strength of contraction. Creatine phosphate also speeds up rate of relaxation of muscles, for it induces the relaxing effect of ATP (Bozler, 1953). Thus, this research suggests that creatine phosphate is directly linked to instigate muscle contractibility.

     How does Creatine work? When somebody is exercising, his or her muscles demand energy. The energy that the muscle gets is called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). As the muscles keep contracting, the ATP is turned into adenosine diphosphate (ADP). ADP causes your muscles to fatigue. Creatine Phosphate helps to convert ADP into ATP when the ATP is gone. In doing this, the athlete has better endurance during his of her workout or event.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a multifunctional nucleotide used in cells as a coenzyme. It is often called the "molecular unit of currency" of energy transfer. ATP transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism. It is produced by photo-phosphorylation and cellular respiration and used by enzymes and structural proteins in many cellular processes, including active transport, respiration, and cell division. One molecule of ATP contains three phosphate groups, and it is produced by ATP synthase from inorganic phosphate and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). ATP is used is many organisms and also in different ways. Below are a few ways in which ATP is used.

This energy system only lasts for 10 seconds. It is used for high intensity, short duration activities e.g. 100m sprint, weightlifting, shot putt

The first article starts off by giving a detailed biochemical explanation on the function of creatine in the body. It describes how creatine is used to make up ATP molecules which are used by our body for energy. Creatine is most commonly found in skeletal muscle and is synthesized from amino acids by the liver, the pancreas and the kidneys.

The Creatine supplement most commonly used is Creatine Monohydrate (C4H11N3O3). There are other derivatives of this supplement. Creatine Monohydrate has a variety of influences on athletes. Creatine’s occupation is to raise the rate at which ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is produced (Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation). When a muscle is used an ATP molecule goes through hydrolysis, the breaking of a chemical bond using H20. The muscle uses this breaking down of ATP to release energy. The ATP gives off an ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) molecule. Due to the reliability of ATP breaking down with a water molecule, the amount of ATP available in the muscle cells is increased. At the same time ATP is being converted into ADP, ADP is being changed back to ATP inside the muscle. During the contraction of the muscle, the changing back of ADP to ATP is achieved by the Creatine already present in the cells. However, this rebuilding of ATP is not a direct result of the use of the Creatine in the cellular complex. Right upon the taking of Creatine Monohydrate, the total muscular capacity levels of phosphocreatine (PCr) and Creatine Monophosphate increase. This elevation of phosphocreatine “shifts the equilibrium towards the production of ATP,” allowing ATP to be generated at a much faster rate ( Muscle and Strength Magazine). This is the chemistry behind what Creatine does to your body and the reactions

Next, Creatine is a supplement made of three different amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine. Creatine can be produced by the body and found in high protein meats. When creatine enters the body it bonds with a phosphate molecule to form creatine phosphate. When macronutrients are consumed they go through a process called oxidation to become adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is molecule that stores energy. When a task is performed energy is given off to perform the task and a phosphate is lost. Once a phosphate is lost ATP becomes ATD (adenosine diphosphate). ATD is useless to the body and can not be used for energy unless it is formed back into ATP. Creatine gives its phosphate to ATD to make up for the missing phosphate, reforming ATP. Creatine provides more energy to increase performances and strength while training. Shannon Clark, whom holds a degree in exercise science and sport performance said “Creatine allows you to keep pushing hard in the gym at a time when you would previously had to decrease the load or stop entirely, so it helps in building muscle faster” (Clark). Taking a creatine supplement provides more energy needed to build strength.

During intense activites, anaerobic energy is the major contributor for 1 to 3 minutes. Because of intense muscle contractions, there is a limited oxygen supply from the constricted blood vessels.

But a small quantity of ATP is socked away in your muscles for when you need to expend a short burst of energy in a hurry. Let’s say you’re doing a single barbell squat with close to max weight. As you power the weight up, the muscles of your hips, thighs and lower back immediately burn through their ATP stores. Once the ATP has done its job, it’s either further broken down or recycled (with the help of another substance, creatine phosphate, or CP), so it can provide more energy to your working muscles.

Glycolysis is the predominant energy system for intense exercise lasting up to 2 minutes and is the second-fastest way to resynthesize ATP (Lethem, 2014).