ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the biological energy systems and explains their role in human athletic performance. Bioenergetics is the flow of energy in biological systems and is a key consideration during exercise. The chapter explains the concept of metabolic specificity and sources of energy as related to human athletic performance. The formation of the adenosine triphosphate occurs by combining adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate. This process requires a substantial amount of energy that must be captured from the food human eat. The chapter discusses the role of enzymes in catalyzing chemical reactions and also explains the role of lactic acid and lactate in human athletic performance. Enzymes are protein structured molecules that speed or facilitate certain chemical reactions by lowering the energy of activation of a chemical reaction. The origin of the chemical energy that human take into our bodies is an anabolic process called photosynthesis. The chapter demonstrates an understanding of the limiting factors in human athletic performance.
