Section 1.1: The Power of Basic Questions

Consider this provocative question: Why is it impossible to run a marathon at the same speed as a 100-meter dash? This inquiry serves as a litmus test for the understanding of energy systems among P.E. instructors, strength coaches, and personal trainers. While there are numerous factors influencing this, if you find yourself overwhelmed with explanations, it might indicate a lack of clarity regarding how the body generates energy.

Simple questions should ideally lead to straightforward answers. However, simplicity does not equate to ease. For instance, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through habits like eating vegetables, taking 10,000 steps daily, and sleeping early are simple recommendations. Yet, the low adherence rates suggest these practices are more challenging than they appear.

Subsection 1.1.1: Exploring Energy Systems

Credit: Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash

A fundamental question that arises is: Why do we feel fatigued? This inquiry is likely to resonate with a 6-year-old, reminiscent of a quote often attributed to Albert Einstein.

The Thing Explainer, authored by Randall Munroe, illustrates the concept of explaining complex scientific processes using only the 1,000 most common words in the English language. I believe that the inquisitive 6-year-old from Einstein’s quote would greatly appreciate this approach.

The First Energy System: A Child-Friendly Explanation

To understand energy systems, we need to recognize that their purpose is to generate energy necessary for movement. The specific energy system engaged depends on the duration and intensity of the activity, as well as the individual's ability to breathe properly during exertion. Regardless of the circumstances, all energy systems share a common goal: producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s only usable fuel for movement.

ATP — The Energy Currency

The body synthesizes ATP using the food we consume. This includes glycogen (stored sugars), glycerol (fats), and proteins (muscle building blocks). During high-intensity, short-duration activities, the body does not have sufficient time to process these food sources, relying instead on phosphocreatine (PC) stored in the muscles to generate ATP. However, PC reserves are limited and can take up to three minutes to replenish, which explains why one cannot maintain the same pace in a marathon as in a 100-meter sprint.

If there's enough interest, I could create a series detailing my approach to explaining energy systems in this way.

Section 1.2: Seeking Help from English Teachers

Depending on the context, I could utilize analogies to illustrate the three energy systems, such as comparing the ATP-PC system to a match, the anaerobic glycolytic system to a newspaper, and the aerobic system to firewood, which burns longer. However, I won’t elaborate on this analogy further since you’ve already invested your time in reading.

In any subject, vocabulary can be categorized into three tiers: Tier 1 includes everyday words, Tier 2 encompasses words that cross various subjects, and Tier 3 consists of specialized, subject-specific terminology. I would love to discover a program capable of analyzing text and visually representing these tiers, ensuring that every student can access the material. If such a tool exists, please share your insights. If not, you might find me pitching this idea on Dragons' Den!