Rock Eldrick Galzote

Almost all of the fundamental concepts in studying bioenergetics has something to do

with energy; specifically, how our bodies utilize energy. In order to understand this, we must
start with the basics; what do we use as a source of energy, where do we get our energy
supply, and how to get it from the food we eat.

Let’s start with the what of it. Energy is energy, but it comes in many different forms; this
is derived from the first law of thermodynamics. Like a car uses a specific kind of fuel to make it
run, our body uses a specific substance to fuel our biological processes, Adenosine
Triphosphate(ATP). Perhaps one of the most important molecules in our body, ATP is the only
substance that our bodies can process to manufacture energy.

After knowing what our body uses as an energy source, let’s look at where we get it.
Some people might not know this, but the reason we classify our food into proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats, is because we are made of these substances. Learning about them,
what they are, their functions, structure, and understanding how they aid in carrying out our
biological processes is one of the fundamental concepts a sports scientist should know.
Studying organic chemistry, or at least the basics of it, will let you do just that.

Finally, let’s look at the basics of how our bodies process the food we eat and turn it into
usable energy. First things first, you should know by now that glucose is the primary molecule
that produces ATP which we discussed earlier, we get from food; how it happens is a lot of
complicated work, collectively, they’re called the three basic energy pathways. First, glucose
goes through a lot of reactions that turns it into pyruvates; this is called glycolysis, the first step
towards the production of ATP. After glycolysis, the newly formed pyruvates will go to the Kreb’s
cycle, a series of processes that takes Acetyl- CoA and turns it into electrons for the next and
final step of the three basic energy pathways, the Electron Transport Chain - Oxidative
Phosphorylation; this is where the bulk of ATP that our body uses is being produced. It uses
electrons and proton pumps to harness the energy stored in chemical bonds and uses it to
manufacture a lot of ATPs.

Of course this is just an over simplification of some of the concepts of bioenergetics. I

chose these topics because in a way, they are just about enough to cover the basics and to give
you an idea on what lies ahead. Bioenergetics is one of the core subjects of sports science; it
gives you an insight on what is happening in your body and how external factors such as food
and exercise affects it. To truly understand the concepts involved in this subject will allow you to
understand how the human body works and you’ll be able to apply that knowledge to your field.