Contribution from each
energy system
All
three energy systems contribute to the energy required for Taekwondo. The creatine phosphate system is used during
short, explosive bursts of energy, e.g. in a self-defence situation where you
suddenly need a burst of speed and strength and using only a limited amount of
techniques for retaliation, that last about 10 seconds or less. It then takes about two minutes to recover
98% of the ATP stores. The lactic acid system supplies most of the energy for 30 seconds to three
minutes of intense activity, such as free sparring, floor drills, patterns such
as form or in actual self-defence. It
takes about 3 to 5 minutes to have an 87.5% recovery. Aerobic system supplies energy for routines
longer than two or three minutes and also during recovery. It is
slower than the other two systems to provide ATP but it can produce larger
amounts. All three systems work together
but depending on the intensity and duration of the activity, the body will
choose one system over the other as its main source of energy [9]. While the aerobic system is used for a higher percentage of time
in taekwondo (approximately 66%), the ATP-CP system is used for approximately
30% of time during faster, shorter and higher intensity bursts of kicking. A round goes for 2 minutes and there are 1
minute breaks between each round of which there are three rounds. Kicking earns the most amount of points so
therefore it is important for both systems (but particularly the ATP-CP system)
to be trained as this is where the athlete will earn their points.