Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a fast paced, high intensity and duration sport which needs high amounts of energy to play. This energy enables the lacrosse player to perform necessary movements for desired outcomes therefore demonstrating high fitness levels. The intensity and duration of sports determine the contribution of each particular energy system at anyone time.

 The Phosphate Energy System better know as, the PC System, provides a bulk of ATP during powerful or explosive efforts such as sprinting off the circle at the start of a lacrosse game as it lasts under 10 seconds. This energy system is depleted after 10 seconds of maximum intensity but takes 30 seconds of rest recovery for 50% of ATP is replenished. This is because the person is taking in more oxygen for more ATP to be created. A full recovery of the PC System can be seen between 5 to 7 minutes after exercise. With longer lasting sports such as Lacrosse, the rest recovery does not last for 5-7 minutes therefore ATP must come from another source, The Anaerobic Glycolysis System.

This system is also known as the Lactic Acid system and simply means ‘without oxygen’. As you run over 10 seconds, your ATP stores become depleted from the Phosphate Energy System and the Anaerobic Glycolysis System becomes the dominant producer of ATP. This is due to the high intensity at sub maximal rate as the recovery time of the Phosphate Energy System is insufficient and does not allow for full replenishment. While in this system, the body is using minimal oxygen to create ATP and as a result the breakdown of glucose is incomplete. The Pyruvic Acid created by Anaerobic Glycolysis can not be process by the minimal amount of oxygen therefore is converted into Lactic Acid. The body can only tolerate lactic acid until the lactate accumulation rate is greater than the bodies ability to remove it, this is also known as Lactate Threshold. Once past the Lactate Threshold, the athlete must stop or reduce efforts as the lactic acid level is too high. This can all take place in a rage of 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on one’s fitness level.

The Aerobic Energy System also known as the Oxygen System provide you the ATP  that allows you to run at continuous sub-maximal intensity which last longer than 5 minutes such as running in a non-scoring lacrosse game where no breaks are given. This system uses carbohydrates as the main fuel source with fats being the 2nd fuel source. Proteins are only used in serious circumstances such as malnutrition. When in the Aerobic Energy System, the intensity must be low as the speed of ATP production is slow although it does produce a larger amount of ATP. It is relevant to all fitness components as it provides the basis for recovery between strength and power.

As Lacrosse is a fast paced game, Speed is one fitness component which enables a game to be played as it enables movements to be preformed quickly and sustain high intensity efforts. If there was no speed to the game there would be no quick change over’s or fast breaks giving the team the opportunity of extra goals. This means the PC system needs to be able to recovery quickly and the Anaerobic System needs to be trained to push through the lactic acid. Agility is also needed to change direction quickly. This can be due to dodging players or just a change of game from attack to defense which is also closely related to speed. For centre draws to work correctly, just the right amount of fore is needed for the ball to fly in the air. Muscular Endurance is also needed to work a muscle for as long as necessary at the desired level. This can be seen through a 1 minute sit up test. Muscular Strength is also a major component in lacrosse as all movements need maximum force whether it is throwing the ball, shooting a goal or even running.

As seen in the results above, the elite athlete was able to get considerably high results when compared to myself. Her results show a low 20m sprint time of 3.6 which means her movements would be quick to reach the desired outcome. My results show an increase of 1.1 seconds difference. The Illinois test results show an increase of 3 seconds on my half. Both these results show that she is a fast player with good agility allowing her movements to be controlled in a fast manner. Also coming from this, it could mean that she is a centre player showing her speed and fitness levels which result in quick changes. The muscular endurance of the Elite athlete was shown through a maximum sit ups test conducted in 1 minute. Her results were staggeringly high showing 3 sit ups. The muscular strength of the athlete was shown through the vertical jump test and shows that we were both equal at 35cm.

Factors affecting these results may have been due to;

The heart rate as the age, stress and body temperature may have varied to cause a different heart rate response which then increases blood pressure pumping more blood around the body at faster rates.

Muscle fibres of the athlete may have been different to my own as she may have fast twitch fibres which are suited for fast, high intensity activity compared to someone with slow twitch fibres resulting in them being better suited to lower intensity activities. Muscle fibres can be improved to suit the activity through training but can not be changed.

 The methods of training used could have prepared her for better results leading up to testing such as she had previously worked on her muscle strength. When training to be at the best physical form you can be, your metabolic rate changes therefore it depends on food intake, environmental temperature and body temperature. Other performance limiting factors could have been motivation, arousal and stress management.

 VO2 Max is also a key factor as it is the amount of oxygen the body can possibly take in. If one body is trained, more oxygen will enter the cells at a faster rate than the other. This gives extra oxygen to working muscles allowing more ATP to be produced and allows the person to continue.

These physiological factors would also depend on different positions in Lacrosse. Midfield would continuously have a high heart rate through out the game as well as blood pressure as they run for majority of the game. Majority of ATP would come from the Aerobic Glycolysis System giving a great amount of energy for constant requirements. Whilst in an attacking and defensive position, both would be in the Anaerobic Glycolysis System as they are usually fast moving yet lasts more than 10 seconds. Therefore the Phosphate System would be depleted and there wouldn’t be oxygen available leaving it the only other option. A centre rotating player would use the Phosphate System at the beginning of each centre draw in order for the muscular strength to be applicable.

Through out a lacrosse game, all energy systems are used such as; sprinting for a ground ball in defense using the Phosphate System, manning up on a player using Aerobic Glycolysis System and using your Aerobic Glycolysis System to run continuously up and down the field. The predominant energy system used is the Anaerobic Glycolysis system as majority of running is based on sprinting either from attack to defense or vice versa and setting up plays while also slightly recovering.