Beta – oxidation system is also called “Fatty Acid Oxidation”. This system is the
main source of energy for an exercise of more than 2 – 3 minutes in duration and low intensity. Using oxygen, the body breaks down triacylglycerol (stored in the muscles and adipose tissues) to fatty acids. Then fatty acids break down to acetyl – CoA via beta – oxidation. Finally, acetyl – CoA enters into the Krebs cycle to generate ATP.
This system generates 460 ATPs from metabolizing one molecule of triacylglycerol.
Sports with Dominating Aerobic System:
The aerobic system is the dominant energy system in the following sports:
- Athletics:
- 1500 m.
- 5000 m.
- 10000 m.
- Marathon.
- 20 km walk.
- 50 km walk.
- 3000 m steeplechase.
- Biathlon.
- Bobsleigh.
- Boxing.
- Canoe/Kayak Sprint: men`s events (C-1 1000 m canoe single, C-2 1000 m canoe double, K-1 1000 m kayak single, K-2 1000 m kayak double, and K-4 1000 m kayak four).
- Cycling:
- Road cycling.
- Track cycling.
- Cross – county cycling.
- Modern pentathlon.
- Rowing.
- Skating:
- Speed skating (3000 m, 5000 m, 1000 m, team pursuit).
- Short track speed skating (5000 m relay).
- Figure skating (all events).
- Skiing: cross – country skiing (10 km, 15 km, 4X10 km relay, team sprint, 7.5 km + 7.5 km skiathlon, 15 km + 15 km skiathlon, 30 km, 50 km).
- Swimming:
- Backstroke swimming (200 m).
- Breaststroke swimming (200 m).
- Butterfly swimming (200 m).
- Freestyle swimming (200 m, 4X100 m relay, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m).
- Medley swimming (200 m individual, 4X200 m relay, 400 m individual).
- Synchronized swimming (duet, team).
- Marathon 10 km.
- Triathlon.