The Bioenergetics of Exercise
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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
Published on: March 20, 2012
1East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Departments of Physiology and Kinesiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834.
Abstract:
Animals possess a remarkable ability to perform physical activity over a wide range of workloads and durations, reflecting both the inherent efficiency and large reserve capacity of energy transfer systems. Deciphering how different organ/physiological systems respond to the acute and chronic demands of exercise depends on a foundational understanding of the redox and bioenergetic principles that underlie the flow of electrons in living systems and its coupling to ATP synthesis. The purpose of this review is to set the stage to cover (1) the thermodynamic driving forces responsible for generating and maintaining the energy charge that establishes and sustains life for cells, and (2) how cellular energy transfer systems respond to changes in energy demand to ensure energy charge is preserved.
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