Stores oxygen in sarcoplasm that has diffused from haemoglobin in blood
After exercise oxygen stores in the myoglobin are limited
Surplus of oxygen supplied through EPOC helps replenish oxygen
stores, taking 2 mins using 0.5L of oxygen
Slow component
Removal of lactic acid
When oxygen is present, lactic acid can be converted back into pyruvate &
oxidised into CO2 & H2O in the inactive muscles and organs. Can then be
used by the muscles as an energy source
Transported in the blood to liver where it's
converted to blood glucose & glycogen
Cori Cycle
Converted into protein
Removed in sweat and urine
Majority of lactic acid can be oxidised into mitochondria
Cool-down can accelerate its removal
Exercise keeps metabolic rate of muscles
high and keeps capillaries dilated
Oxygen can be flushed through, removing accumulated lactic acid
Begins as soon as lactic acid appears in muscle cell
Will continue using breathed oxygen
until recovery is complete
Can take up to 5-6L of oxygen in first half hour
recovery, removing up to 50% of lactic acid
Maintenance of breathing and heart rates
Maintaining breathing and heart rates requires extra oxygen to provide
energy needed for respiratory and heart muscles
Assists recovery as extra oxygen used to replenish ATP & PC stores, re-saturate
myoglobin and remove lactic acid, returning body back to pre-exercise state
Glycogen replenishment
Glycogen main energy provider and is
fuel for aerobic and lactic acid systems
Will be depleted during exercise
Replacement of glycogen stores depends on type of
exercise undertaken and when & how much carbohydrate is
consumed following exercise
May take several days to complete restoration of glycogen after a marathon, but in less
than 1 hour after high duration, short intensity exercise
Significant amount of glycogen can be restored as lactic acid and is
converted back to blood glucose & glycogen in liver via Cori cycle
Eating high carbohydrate meal will
accelerate glycogen restoration, as will
eating within 1 hour of following exercise
2 nutritional windows for optimal recovery
30 mins after exercise
Both carbohydrates & proteins should
be consumed in 3:1 or 4:1 ratio
Combination helps body to re-synthesise muscle
glycogen more efficiently than just consuming
carbohydrates on their own
1-3 hours after exercise
Meal high in protein, carbohydrate, and
healthy fat should be consumed
Increase in body temperature
When temp remains high, respiratory rates will remain high
Will help performer take in more oxygen during recovery
Extra oxygen from EPOC needed to fuel
increase in temp until body returns to normal