All the muscles within the body require energy to perform any movements or activities. As the body can call upon 2 different types of systems to supply the energy; the aerobic (requires oxygen) system and the anaerobic (does not require oxygen) system. It is the intensity and duration of the movements that determine which energy system is utilised by the active muscles to acquire the energy they require. However before it can be explained how the body generates energy through these 2 very differing systems, it is essential that it is understood what energy actually is.

What is Energy?

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is the source of energy for all muscular contractions. Energy (and Adenosine Diphosphate [ADP]) is produced when ATP is broken down. Although it is the integral element within energy production, ATP is not stored within the skeletal muscles in large volumes, in fact there is only enough ATP stored to allow an individual to undertake maximal effort for up to 4 seconds (Matthews and Fox, 1971) before their entire store in diminished. Therefore the body relies on different processes to exact energy from ATP to ensure that it is able to meet the demands of the activity being undertaken.

Limited Access Version - the remainder of this article is unavailable.

You are currently accessing a version of this football (soccer) coaching resource that is designed to limit the user’s ability to navigate around the site. Therefore as a result this article and all of the football (soccer) coaching sessions are not fully available. To gain full, unlimited access, you will be required to sign up to the site or log in - if you are already a member.

In order to sign up please click here to navigate back to the front page. Sign up today to experience the complete service of Coaches Colleague - the most comprehensive football (soccer) coaching website available.