Research shows that a combination of aerobic and anaerobic training may improve endurance more than one alone. With such activities, the body switches between anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. Some sports involve short sprints and sustained movements, such as soccer and basketball. What is the Relationship Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness? As a result, anaerobic training improves muscle endurance by increasing tolerance for lactic acid and strengthening fast-twitch muscles. Anaerobic metabolism makes much less ATP and causes lactic acid build-up instead. When athletes perform these muscular activities, the body uses energy already stored in the muscles.
How Does Anaerobic Fitness Affect Performance?Īnaerobic exercises include intense physical activity for short bursts such as sprinting, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and resistance training. Better blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to muscles, improving flexibility, endurance, and overall sports performance. Increasing aerobic capacity enhances an athlete’s cardiovascular fitness. Aerobic, oxygen-dependent, metabolism supplies most of the ATP energy used in sustained cardio exercises such as jogging and cycling. An athlete with higher peak oxygen uptake can use oxygen more effectively and generate more ATP energy.
Peak oxygen uptake, also called maximum oxygen volume (VO2max), is a good indicator of aerobic fitness.
