Anaerobic Capacity

For the sake of this discussion, we'll simplify things to a basic level.  Other factsheets will cover physiology in  greater detail but for now we will run with the idea that there are two ways in which we produce power to propel our bike forward.  Aerobic power and anaerobic power.  Aerobic basically means "with oxygen" and anaerobic means "without oxygen". 

Anaerobic Power
Anaerobic power, as we've already established is the power produced without the requirement for oxygen to be present.  Sprinting, at the end of a race, is predominantly an anaerobic activity.  And as you all know power at these intensities can only be sustained for a short period of time.  But why?

The answer lies in the energy systems and pathways used to create the power that propel our bikes.  Sprinting and other high energy outputs, attacking, jumping gaps etc, are powered by the ATP-PC energy systems.  The ATP system (Adenosine Triphosphate) is sustainable for one to four seconds and the PC system (Phosphate Creatine) will power the anaerobic activity from four seconds until exhaustion; possibly up to twenty seconds in well trained athletes.

A graphic example of the exhaustion of the ATP-PC energy systems can be seen at the end of a race with a long sprint.  When the sprint starts from a long way out the one's who didn't preserve their ATP-PC systems, or never developed them in the first place through proper training, are the ones going backwards.

Realising your potential
ATP is stored in our muscles and is, basically, fuel produced from the food we eat; our muscles can only produce energy by burning this fuel.  When Adenosine Triphosphate is used to produce energy it loses a phosphate molecule and becomes Adenosine Diphosphate.  A bit heavy but the diagram below should explain it a bit better.

We have enough ATP to last us a few seconds.  When it's all gone the muscles start looking for phosphate molecules and it finds them in the Phosphate Creatine system.  The lonely single phosphate molecules in the PC system (the P in the centre of the diagram) are introduced to the ADP (two molecules) system at the bottom and hey-presto we have ATP (three molecules) again at the top ready to produce more energy.  But not for long, the PC system will become exhausted normally quicker than we would like.

Once the PC system is gone, it's gone.  The body then looks to the stored glucose, our aerobic fuel, to provide power.  When glucose is used as fuel in the absence of oxygen we get the dreaded lactic acid.  When the acid build up becomes debilitating we must cease anaerobic activity and allow our ATP-PC stores to refresh. Which, depending on the training you've undertaken could take one to two minutes.

A simple thirty second test will enable you to measure and evaluate your anaerobic capacity.  The test protocol itself is simple but it is probably one of the hardest and most physically demanding tests you will ever undertake.

The message
A Wingate Test will allow you to feel the ATP draining from your muscles and feel the PC cycle kick in.  Then as the systems become depleted you feel the lactic acid begin to form and the last ten seconds become the longest of your life.

The results of the test allow valuable information to be gained regarding your anaerobic capacity and the physical capabilities of your energy pathways.  Devising a training plan with the specific requirements of addressing the limitations of your anaerobic capacity is a fantastic investment in your training time. 

Through increasing your anaerobic capacity you can make significant improvements in the efficiency of your aerobic engine thus allowing you to cruise at a faster speed. Then, when you need your anaerobic energy systems, for the big sprint, you'll find you can sprint harder, faster and longer.  And that's what wins races.