What is Anaerobic Power?

Anaerobic power is energy that is stored in muscles and that can be accessed without the use of oxygen. There are two systems that utilize this type of power, the phosphogen system and the lactic acid system. Human beings use this form of energy in short bursts that cannot be sustained for longer than about two minutes.

The human body produces energy in two ways: aerobically and anaerobically. Aerobic power, which is the body’s primary energy system, relies on oxygen that is transported through the respiratory and circulatory systems. Humans use aerobic power for most activities, from strolling through the park to running in a marathon. Anaerobic power, on the other hand, is generated without the use of oxygen. It is utilized only when the body is being pushed the body as hard as it can go, in short, but powerful movements, such as while sprinting, jumping or swinging a golf club.

Anaerobic power is stored in muscle tissue in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). There is only about one to four seconds worth of ATP available, and after that, the phosphate creatine (PC) system kicks in, which can synthesize additional ATP for as long as another 15 seconds. After this, the lactic acid system, or glycosis system, starts up and produces energy by breaking down carbohydrates. While these systems are running, the body is using more energy than it can replenish, and this can lead to cramping, fatigue and lactic acid buildup.

Athletes train hard to both improve their anaerobic power capacity and decrease their reliance on it by improving their aerobic endurance. By building their capacity to use power systems that do not require oxygen, athletes can push themselves harder than aerobic activity alone would allow. Anaerobic capacity can be measured by the Wingate test. In this test, a person pedals a mechanically braked bicycle for 30 seconds as fast as possible, and a flywheel is used to count revolutions. Testing an athlete's capacity frequently ensures that his or her workout routines are improving his or her abilities.

Though many fitness programs emphasize endurance and aerobic activity that can be sustained without tapping into the body’s emergency reserves, there are many benefits to utilizing the anaerobic system. After accessing anaerobic power, the body's metabolism rises for the next few hours, which can increase weight loss. Many workout routines utilize periods of intense activity as a part of their regimen.

Increasing anaerobic capacity has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including better athletic performance and increased metabolism. There are a number of methods for increasing anaerobic capacity. One is to train at high intensity for as long as possible, which is usually only a few minutes. Another method is to train at a relatively constant effort, such as by riding an exercise bike, and then increase the intensity of the workout at various intervals.