demonstrations:three_energy_systems_in_the_body
Three Energy Systems in the Body
Materials: ★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
Difficulty: ★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
Categories: Energy, Sports Science
Alternative titles: ATP-PC, Glycolytic, and Oxidative Systems
Summary
This lesson explores how the body produces energy through three different systems - the ATP-PC system, the glycolytic system, and the oxidative system. Students connect these systems to physical activities such as sprinting, weightlifting, and endurance exercise.
Procedure
- Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a physical activity type (e.g., sprinting, endurance running, weightlifting).
- Have groups perform their activity for a set time using exercise equipment or bodyweight exercises, timing their performance with a stopwatch.
- Each group reflects on which energy system(s) were dominant during their activity and why.
Links
📄 3 Energy Systems - PE Buddy: https://www.onlinepebuddy.com/post/lesson-plan-3-energy-systems
Variations
- Replace exercise equipment with bodyweight movements (push-ups, burpees, jump squats, running in place).
- Use real sports scenarios (soccer sprint vs. marathon pace) and have students analyze energy demands without doing the activity.
- Have students design a training plan that targets one specific energy system.
Safety Precautions
- Ensure students warm up before exercise to reduce injury risk.
- Supervise equipment use carefully, especially treadmills or weights.
- Adapt activities for students with medical conditions or lower fitness levels.
- Provide hydration breaks to avoid overheating.
Questions to Consider
- Which energy system provides energy the fastest? (ATP-PC system, but only for a few seconds.)
- Why does the glycolytic system cause fatigue quickly? (Because it produces lactic acid as a byproduct.)
- Which energy system is most important for long-distance running? (The oxidative system, as it provides sustained ATP production.)
- Can multiple energy systems work at once? (Yes, systems overlap, but one is usually dominant depending on activity intensity and duration.)
- How could understanding energy systems help athletes train more effectively? (By tailoring workouts to improve the system most used in their sport.)